Cover screenshot by K. Reyes 4/2021
Bibliographic Information:
- Title: Fable
- Author: Adrienne Young
- ISBN: 978-1250254368
- Publisher: St. Martin’s Wednesday Books
- Copyright Date: 2020
Genre [Format]:
- Action/adventure, Fantasy [Book]
- Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club YA pick
- Reading age : 12 - 18 years (TeachingBooks.net, 2021); Grade level : 7 and up (Jones, 2020)
Plot Summary:
After their family’s shipping vessel sinks, taking with it her mother and other treasures they were supposed to trade, Fable is deserted in a rough island by her father, a well-known, ruthless sea trader. Fable survives by becoming a dredger, one who mines the sea for valuable underwater treasure and gems. She plans to earn enough copper to pay for her passage out of the island and back to her father. When the Marigold, a trading ship with an unusually small and young crew, docks in the island, Fable sees this as her opportunity to get out of the island, find her father, and take her rightful place in his crew. But nothing goes as planned from the start.
After their family’s shipping vessel sinks, taking with it her mother and other treasures they were supposed to trade, Fable is deserted in a rough island by her father, a well-known, ruthless sea trader. Fable survives by becoming a dredger, one who mines the sea for valuable underwater treasure and gems. She plans to earn enough copper to pay for her passage out of the island and back to her father. When the Marigold, a trading ship with an unusually small and young crew, docks in the island, Fable sees this as her opportunity to get out of the island, find her father, and take her rightful place in his crew. But nothing goes as planned from the start.
Author Background:
Adrienne Young was born and raised in Texas and moved to California with her film documentary husband and four children (Goodreads, 2020). She currently lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with her family (Young, 2021). She wrote a sequel to Fable called Namesake which was just released. This is supposed to just be a duology. Her other books, Sky in the Deep and The Girl the Sea Gave Back, are currently standalones and her most recent book, The Last Legacy, is a standalone on another character in the Fable world.
Adrienne Young was born and raised in Texas and moved to California with her film documentary husband and four children (Goodreads, 2020). She currently lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with her family (Young, 2021). She wrote a sequel to Fable called Namesake which was just released. This is supposed to just be a duology. Her other books, Sky in the Deep and The Girl the Sea Gave Back, are currently standalones and her most recent book, The Last Legacy, is a standalone on another character in the Fable world.
- Listen to the playlist that was the inspiration for Fable & Namesake:
Critical Evaluation for Books and Non-Print Items:
Fable is a visual treat as Adrienne Young weaves language beautifully to describe Fable and her world. Young leaves the reader with a vivid image of the island where Fable is abandoned, the shipwrecked Lark and its treasures, and the description of the characters, what they wore, and even how they smelled. The action as it transpires reads like an action/adventure movie instead of a book. The characters, even the despicable ones are complex and thus not easy to vilify especially as you begin to read their back story. Fable, herself, is a strong female character and a believable and relatable character, despite this world being one of fantasy.
Fable is a visual treat as Adrienne Young weaves language beautifully to describe Fable and her world. Young leaves the reader with a vivid image of the island where Fable is abandoned, the shipwrecked Lark and its treasures, and the description of the characters, what they wore, and even how they smelled. The action as it transpires reads like an action/adventure movie instead of a book. The characters, even the despicable ones are complex and thus not easy to vilify especially as you begin to read their back story. Fable, herself, is a strong female character and a believable and relatable character, despite this world being one of fantasy.
Creative Use for a Library Program:
Create a table display of books on pirates (both real and fictional) and books that have ocean faring themes. Insert a fun page within the book with instructions to see me for a surprise prize from a treasure chest.
Create a table display of books on pirates (both real and fictional) and books that have ocean faring themes. Insert a fun page within the book with instructions to see me for a surprise prize from a treasure chest.
Speed-Round Book Talk or Short Book Trailer:
Fable was abandoned by her father in an island inhabited by unscrupulous people with the advice that, if she is able to survive this island, her father will give her what is rightfully hers. As soon as she is able to earn enough money for passage out of the island, Fable escapes in the nick of time and is on her way to meet her father. But the passage is not free or easy and her father may not be willing to take her in like she assumed. Find out how Fable carves her new life outside of the notorious island and on a new ship.
Fable was abandoned by her father in an island inhabited by unscrupulous people with the advice that, if she is able to survive this island, her father will give her what is rightfully hers. As soon as she is able to earn enough money for passage out of the island, Fable escapes in the nick of time and is on her way to meet her father. But the passage is not free or easy and her father may not be willing to take her in like she assumed. Find out how Fable carves her new life outside of the notorious island and on a new ship.
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation:
Violence, physical mutilation and murder abound. This is a fantasy world and while it reads like realistic fiction, readers who challenge the violence and seeming lack of conscience should realize this is a fantasy world and it is better that students experience the hardships through imagination rather than reality.
Violence, physical mutilation and murder abound. This is a fantasy world and while it reads like realistic fiction, readers who challenge the violence and seeming lack of conscience should realize this is a fantasy world and it is better that students experience the hardships through imagination rather than reality.
Reason for Inclusion:
I enjoy a positive, strong female lead who is believable despite the fantastic premise of the story. Students will enjoy getting to know Fable and the fact that this is a duology actually appeals to many students who are enjoy reading books in series.
I enjoy a positive, strong female lead who is believable despite the fantastic premise of the story. Students will enjoy getting to know Fable and the fact that this is a duology actually appeals to many students who are enjoy reading books in series.
Adrienne Young also conducts writing workshops. I was tempted to sign up for this one coming up later this month (April 2021) as it sounds like it would be such a cool writing experience.
REFERENCES
Goodreads. (2020). Adrienne Young (Author of Sky in the Deep). Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16640489.Adrienne_Young.
Jones, S. (2020, August 1). Fable. School Library Journal. https://www.slj.com/?reviewDetail=fable.
Young, A. (2021, April 18). About. Adrienne Young. https://www.adrienneyoungbooks.com/about.
Jones, S. (2020, August 1). Fable. School Library Journal. https://www.slj.com/?reviewDetail=fable.
Young, A. (2021, April 18). About. Adrienne Young. https://www.adrienneyoungbooks.com/about.
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