Mirror’s Tale by P. W. Catanese
What happens long after the story of Snow White, when one of her descendants discovers the long-lost mirror? Here’s your chance to find out in the 2008 Maud Hart Lovelace Award Nominated book Mirror’s Tale by P. W. Catanese.
Everyone has heard the story — the dwarves, the talking mirror, the evil witch. But this tale doesn’t belong to Snow White anymore….
Bert and Will, the twin sons of the baron of Ambercrest, are best friends. They do everything together and can’t help it if trouble just seems to…find them. But the baron is fed up and has decided that separation will keep them out of mischief. One twin, he proclaims, will stay in Ambercrest for the summer, while the other will be sent to The Crags — a foreboding, rocky outpost on the edge of the kingdom.
It is there, hidden in a forbidden black chamber, that one of the boys discovers a bejeweled and mysterious mirror. What is the precious object? And why does it make him feel so…powerful? Soon the twins’ kinship is replaced by dark magic and deceit, and a kingdom hangs dangerously in the balance. What becomes of one who is ruled by the forces of evil? And can brotherly love conquer a consuming quest for power?
Here is what others have said about this fun book:
“In this accessible entry in the series, Catanese imagines events many years after “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” ends … Buy where there is a demand for fast-paced, easily read adventure fantasy.” – School Library Journal
“When one of the boys uncovers the mirror that played a role in Snow White’s story, the boys’ kinship is replaced by dark magic and deceit, and the kingdom hangs in balance. A wonderful reframing of a classic fairy tale that gives a masculine slant to a story that is often seen as only for girls.” — JustForKidsBooks.com
“In a time of kingdoms, barons, and knights, two twins, Bertram and William, cause their parents much trouble. In a last-ditch effort to discipline the twin boys, Baron Charmaigne decides to separate them for the summer. William will go visit his uncle and Bertram will stay behind; but the twins decide to fool the parents and switch places. This switch proves more fortunate for the kingdom than they both realize–here is where the tale becomes very compelling. This story would appeal to middle school students either read aloud or read as a twist on the popular fairy tale Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. The story moves quickly and one does not need to have a strong history background to appreciate the rivalry between the brothers or the knowledge that having one’s greatest desire can bring large risks and challenges.” – Children’s Literature
“As he did in his previous “Further Tales”… author Catanese imagines a whole world into existence around the sketchy framework of an old legend – and then re-imagines the legend. Catanese’s unorthodox theory of what really happened in Snow White’s tale drives this story to a surprising pitch of suspense, dread, action, and spookiness…it is fascinating how much these “Further Tales” share of the spirit of the original tales…a pure adventure filled with thrills, generous with its characters, and guaranteed to have you rooting for the good guys…
– Mugglenet.com
“This is my favorite book I’ve read this year, at least until The Tales of Beedle the Bard!”
– David, age 10
It is a 2008 Maud Hart Lovelace Award Nominated book.
