East

Edith Pattou retells the Norwegian folk tale East of the Sun and West of the Moon with lyrical care and a female protagonist who has genuine agency rather than passive grace. Rose's decision to leave home, her growing attachment to the white bear, and her eventual quest to reclaim what she lost are all handled with emotional intelligence, and the multiple-narrator structure adds real dimension to a story that can feel thin in shorter retellings. The Norse landscape — trolls, shamans, enchantments — is richly imagined. Honest caveats: the early pacing is slow, and Kirkus Reviews noted the challenge of getting readers past those opening chapters. The book's length can also feel unwieldy for younger middle-grade readers. But for teens who love fairy tale retellings with depth and heart, this is a deserving ALA Top Ten pick. Worth it.