This new release is a rather massive publication (507 pages) which will provide nightly reading throughout the winter for those ages 12 and older. 

Several centuries ago in the rural parts of Norway there was a superstitious belief that children would inherit the qualities of the direction in which they were born. East is about Rose, the youngest of eight, who was a North-born baby. Legend held that North-born babies, although intelligent, would be wild and adventurous and bound to break their mothers' hearts. 

This new publication is roughly based on the old Norwegian fairy tale East of the Sun and West of the Moon which was one of the many folk tales Asbjørnsen and Moe (often called the Brothers Grimm of Scandinavia) committed to writing in the late 1800s to preserve the rich oral tradition of Norway. This same original tale in Sweden is called Prince Hat under the Ground, and variations of the same themes —beasts, bears, brave daughters, greedy fathers, trolls, castles and poison — are found in the folk tales of many countries throughout the world.

Pattou has written a compelling novel based on old themes that has been called a page-turner,
"a worthy retelling" of this folk tale, "compelling" and a book that "really stands out."  It has received seven national book awards including several from the American Library Association.

CH - 31   Paperback      $8.95

CH - 12     $8.95