YA retellings of Jane Austen, fairy-tales, and Shakespeare abound. How often do you read an updated version of Frank R. Stockton’s 1882 short story “The Lady, or the Tiger?” The following selections refresh lesser-known works from a teen perspective.

Keil, Michelle Ruiz. Summer in the City of Roses. 336p. Soho Teen. Jul. 2021. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781641291712.
Gr 9 Up–When Iph, a 17-year-old of Greek and Mexican descent, learns of her father’s plans to send her brother away, she sets out to rescue him. But a chance meeting with the generous, transgender George opens her mind and heart as they wander Portland. As a kind, questioning, autistic teen with anxiety, Orr was never the son his father wanted. On his own for the first time, he is picked up by a punk-rock band named The Furies. By expanding their horizons and navigating newfound relationships with a diverse cast, the siblings transform. In alternating perspectives, this contemporary reimagining diverges from its inspirations: the myth of Iphigenia and Orestes and the Brothers Grimm’s “Brother and Sister.” The families in both stories suffer because of magical forces, patriarchal views, human shortcomings, and inequitable justice systems, but in Keil’s telling, it is by upholding people’s identity, dignity, and bonds, and not breaking them, that tragedy is averted. Educators especially will adore this immersive work not only as a comparative text but for its theater and pop culture references and its empathetic treatment of marginalized people. VERDICT An insightful reimagining of myth that champions an array of social causes. An absolute must-read for teens and educators who love advocacy, myths, or folktales.–Rachel Forbes, Oakville P.L., Ont.

Lim, Elizabeth. Six Crimson Cranes. 464p. Knopf. Jul. 2021. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780593300916.
Gr 7 Up–Dangerous magic, untimely romance, and more than a few twists await readers in a magical adventure set in the same world as Lim’s “Blood of Stars” duology. Princess Shiori’anma, the youngest child and only daughter of the Emperor of Kiata, has successfully hidden her forbidden magical abilities for years. But one fateful day, desperate to escape a dreaded betrothal ceremony, Shiori slips up and reveals her secret to her stepmother, who is discovered to have dangerous powers of her own. Now Shiori and her six older brothers have been cursed and banished—her brothers doomed to transform into six cranes by day, while Shiori is rendered unrecognizable and warned that for every word she utters, one of her brothers will die. Shiori must summon every ounce of grit and resourcefulness she possesses to survive, track down her brothers, and solve the mystery of their curse. Fast-paced excitement is balanced with a satisfyingly intricate plot that weaves in elements from Western fairy tales and East Asian folklore. Princess Shiori, with all her shortcomings, is an endearingly determined protagonist whom readers will be excited to follow into promised sequels. VERDICT A must-read for fans of folklore– and fairy tale–inspired fantasy.–Darla Salva Cruz, Suffolk Cooperative Lib. Syst., Bellport, NY

Qureshi, Aamna. The Lady or the Lion. 384p. CamCat. Jul. 2021. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9780744303445.
Gr 9 Up–With Marghazar opening its borders, crown princess Durkhanai is determined to put aside her sheltered life and demonstrate her resourcefulness as next in line for the throne, including finding proof her grandfather, the Badshah, is innocent of a summit attack on neighboring zillas. Despite her ongoing investigation, Durkhanai can’t seem to stay away from the mysterious ambassador, Asfandyar, who openly admits he’s a spy. As more disasters pile up, Durkhanai must sift through the political warfare in the palace to keep those she cares about alive. Set in the 19th century in a Pakistan-inspired world, this retelling of Frank R. Stockton’s 1882 short story “The Lady, or the Tiger?” blossoms with political conspiracies and forbidden romance. Debut author Qureshi nails spinning new life into an old tale with a meticulous world grounded in vivid scenery and beautifully enhance with Urdu, Punjabi, and Islamic words. Durkhanai naturally progresses from sheltered, “pretty princess” to discovering her intellect and power. Her romantic relationship with Asfandyar naturally grows over the course of months yet has readers perfectly questioning what his true intentions are. While small conflicts in the story can be sleuthed out, the overall climax has a gratifying twist, revealing larger truths about whether a ­villain for some can be a hero for others. Durkhanai is described as having soft brown skin, while Asfandyar is biracial, the son of a Black woman, with ebony curls. VERDICT A clever twist on a classic tale, this is one to purchase for library shelves as readers will be eager to know what happens next.–­Emily Walker, Lisle Lib. Dist., IL