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(2)
YA
Introduction by Alison Bechdel. This well-researched comics-format biography depicts key moments from Brontë's studies at austere boarding schools, her later teaching jobs, and her travels abroad. Fawkes highlights Brontë's bleak childhood; her creativity inventing imaginary worlds with her siblings; and the difficulties she faced as a woman writer in the nineteenth century. Although panel layouts are unvaried and text-heavy, the bluish-purple palette nicely captures setting; intricate line work focuses on characters' expressive faces. Bib.
Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2019
394 pp.
| Houghton
| May, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-328-94893-9$17.99
(3)
YA
Another ice age has sent humanity to live on spaceships. Stella escapes an impoverished life on a decaying space vessel and takes a governess job on the Rochester. Although the captain of the new ship is charming and she welcomes its luxuries, Stella senses secrets and dangers on board. Donne loosely (and mostly successfully) maps the plot and themes of Jane Eyre onto post-apocalyptic space fiction in her debut novel.
(3)
YA
Aspiring author Charlotte Brontë's admiration of classmate Jane Eyre is unwavering (even when Jane is suspected of poisoning the headmaster). When Jane turns down a job offer from the ghost-hunting Society for Relocating Wayward Spirits and instead leaves Lowood School to work as a governess, Charlotte tags along. An entertaining, madcap reinterpretation of Jane Eyre wherein Victorian practices collide with paranormal adventures.
278 pp.
| Soho Teen
| April, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-61695-696-7$18.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-61695-697-4
(4)
YA
After Janie's parents die, she's sent to live with the Rochester family in San Francisco. Excessive wealth can't mask the many disturbances in the family, and Janie exposes new secrets at every turn. Financial corruption, mental illness, crime, and a misunderstood ghost contribute to this Jane Eyre retelling that is rich in details borrowed from Brontë but is never as subtle or emotionally taut.
(2)
4-6
Illustrated by
Rebecca Green.
The Brontë children find themselves in a world of their own juvenile writings come to life. Valente's fantasy is baroque, effusive, full of lengthy description--and driven by energetic wordplay and wacky invention that keep it bounding along. Occasional black-and-white illustrations highlight how much this world is populated by animate everyday objects and, at the same time, emphasize the elegance and stylishness of Valente's "nonsense."
Reviewer: Deirdre F. Baker
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2017
(4)
YA
For the Brontë children, reality and fiction collide when they strike a bargain to travel as characters inside their own stories. As the young authors lose control, secrets among the siblings enrich an otherwise tepid fantasy plot. Despite its lacking drama, the story's biographical details and literary references (Charlotte "poor and plain"; Emily falls in love with a Heathcliff-like rogue) will please keen observers.
282 pp.
| Chronicle
| April, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4521-1174-2$16.99
(3)
YA
MacColl slowly sketches the relationships among Emily, Charlotte, and Branwell Brontë, but her intriguingly gothic tale of secrets and crimes in Haworth, England, creates a cleverly imagined set of possibilities for what might have inspired the creation of Cathy, Heathcliff, Jane Eyre, and Mr. Rochester. The strong blend of research and imagination will appeal to established Brontë fans and inspire new ones.
453 pp.
| Simon
| October, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4424-3064-8$15.99
(4)
YA
Mother-Daughter Book Club series.
The overstuffed plot finds a French exchange student living with Megan; Jess going to national finals for a cappella; Cassidy's hockey team also going to nationals; and Becca's romantic life heating up. Meanwhile, the girls are reading Jane Eyre. As usual, minor dramas and misunderstandings occur. This series will likely appeal to fans far younger than the characters' ages of sixteen.
231 pp.
| Clarion
| October, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-547-57966-5$18.99
(2)
YA
This thorough biography of Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë chronicles their individual personalities and how early experiences with their surroundings, family, schools, and teaching had profound influences on their writing. Reef quotes her subjects' own diary entries, poems, and stories in addition to relying on other primary sources, historical information, and descriptions of the Brontës' work. Reading list. Bib., ind.
Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2012
166 pp.
| Greenhaven
| August, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7377-5450-6$38.45
(4)
YA
Social Issues in Literature series.
Solid but impassive, these collections present short essays and excerpts (usually five to twelve pages) broken down into three categories: background and biography, critical readings of the title topic, and contemporary perspectives that highlight a classic author's continuing relevance. Selections are up to date, varied, and culled from reputable sources. These volumes are useful, but they're unlikely to be read for fun. Reading list, timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Social Issues in Literature titles: Women's Issues in Alice Walker's The Color Purple, Women's Search for Independence in Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, Tyranny in William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Censorship in Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, and War in Time O'Brien's The Things They Carried.
160 pp.
| Enslow
| October, 2009
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3267-5$27.93
(4)
YA
Understanding Literature series.
This examination of the brief lives and enduring works of Emily, Charlotte, and Anne Brontë provides some interesting information about the siblings and their extraordinary writing. Though it's a bit dry, the critical commentary on Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights is accessible and includes useful historical background. A few photos (mostly movie stills) and art reproductions break up the text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.