The Thief and the Beanstalk

Written by: P. W. Catanese

First line: Nick opened his eyes and blinked.

Why you should read this book: This action-packed fantasy adventure story picks up many decades after the traditional tale of “Jack in the Beanstalk” and Jack is now a sad old man, wracked with guilt regarding the fate of the giant’s wife he betrayed and left behind. When Nick, a young boy caught in thrall of a merciless gang of thieves, shows up to rob him of his ill-gotten wealth, Jack gives Nick his own handful of beans, sending the boy on a dangerous mission back up the beanstalk into the clouds. What ensues is a fast-paced, white-knuckle journey through a land where death waits around every corner, but the promise of wealth, and maybe even redemption, spurs Nick on toward his ultimate goal.

Why you shouldn’t read this book: You resent the unfair media portrayal of very tall people as heartless, bloodthirsty ogres who stink of rotting meat.