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Briar Rose
Briar Rose
Author: Jane Yolen
A powerful retelling of Sleeping Beauty that is “heartbreaking and heartwarming.” — An American Library Association “100 Best Books for Teens” — An American Library Association “Best Books for Young Adults” — Ever since she was a child, Rebecca has been enchanted by her grandmother Gemma’s sto...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780765342300
ISBN-10: 0765342308
Publication Date: 3/15/2002
Pages: 224
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 100

3.8 stars, based on 100 ratings
Publisher: Tor Teen
Book Type: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Briar Rose on
Helpful Score: 6
I read this book for the first time when I was on a car trip, and it stuck with me. Reading it again a good 7 years later, I can see why. Briar Rose is incredibly haunting and the premise sticks with you for a long time.
reviewed Briar Rose on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
I can already tell (finished this book yesterday) that Briar Rose is going to be a book that stays with me. Yolen tells such an amazing story - both heartbreaking and hopeful. Her story is unlike any retelling of Sleeping Beauty I've ever read. I highly recommend it.
SouthernChelz avatar reviewed Briar Rose on + 216 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Not a book for children. Some may disagree but it is my opinion. There are too many adult situations for a younger audience. That said, Miss Yolen brings an intriguing story to paper that comes to a complete ending. I like the way she pulls the story together chapter by chapter, never giving any thing away until necessary.
Summer6ft avatar reviewed Briar Rose on + 77 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Brief but very interesting take on the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. Definitely not disney.
reviewed Briar Rose on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
An awesome perspective of the Holocaust!
Read All 27 Book Reviews of "Briar Rose"

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reviewed Briar Rose on
The grim realities presented in this story did not mesh well with the fairy tale it was supposed to be based off of. I admire the author for trying to take an old story and ground it in reality (and provide a fresh outlook), but that's not what people read fairy tales for. Or at least, i felt this version detracted from the story it hailed from. In short: interesting but no.
casey-sue avatar reviewed Briar Rose on + 53 more book reviews
I read this book when I was in middle school and over the years I have remembered it and wanted to read it again. I'm sure that I will not stop, having read it twice already. It is a quick read but it is also such a good book that shows such a different style to understanding the holocaust.
Hoody avatar reviewed Briar Rose on + 52 more book reviews
Briar Rose was a little slow to get into, but considering it is a short book it didn't take too long. The story that was told was heart breaking and horrifying. It was only made worse by the knowledge that it was based on actual events. This is not to say that the book was not good, it was, just be prepared, there is no happily ever after to Briar Rose.
reviewed Briar Rose on + 636 more book reviews
I didn't exactly mean to read this in one sitting, but that is just what happened! This book is loosely based on the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty, but is set in Poland during WWII. The history is tragic and the writing is pretty solid, but there is a definite loss of magic that should be at the heart of every fairy tale - retold or not. Still, I did enjoy it.


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