Young adult novels by Donna Jo Napoli
STONES IN WATER
KIRKUS:
... Riveting... A memorable survival story...
Historical novels
IN A FLASH
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:
...a stunning look at the humanity of the Japanese and Italians during World War II... an enthralling story of sisterhood amongst harrowing war.
NEW!
EDUCATOR'S GUIDE for IN A FLASH
prepared for middle grade and high school classroom use here.
FIRE IN THE HILLS
KIRKUS:
... powerful.. strong, action-packed ode to the Italian resistance movement... a side of WWII that will fascinate readers...
BOOKLIST:
....uplifting historical novel that views a national tragedy through the lens of a moving personal story
HUNGER: A TALE OF COURAGE
THE KING OF MULBERRY STREET
KIRKUS:
... powerfully vivid ... immediacy ... irresistible...
ALLIGATOR BAYOU
KIRKUS:
... haunting... deep reflection on our country's treatment, past and present, of its immigrants...
DAUGHTER OF VENICE
THE SMILE
KIRKUS:
... magnificent ...both tragic and triumphant...
Fantasies based on fairytales in historical settings
THE MAGIC CIRCLE
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY:
...genuine magic and suspense ...will captivate adults as well...
ZEL
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY:
... A work of depth and beauty... The genius of the novel lies in its breadth of vision...
BREATH
KLIATT:
...vividly evokes the harsh and superstitious medieval world... nightmarish .. memorable.
SPINNERS
coauthored with Richard Tchen
BOOKLIST:
...Love, pride, greed, magic, and revenge: what a wonderful read.
THE WAGER
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY:
....human nature at its worst and its best.
DARK SHIMMER
BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS:
...a sumptuously dark retelling of “Snow White,” ....absolutely wrenching
BEAST
KIRKUS:
... sensual and brilliant imagining... Compelling, relentless, erotic.
BOUND
HIGHLIGHTS MAGAZINE,
a child review:
...you'll want to read it again and again... It sounds like music when it's being read to you.
CRAZY JACK
KIRKUS:
...Gripping... dark and psychologically truthful...
Irish/Viking --historical novel and sequel
--based on character from the Icelandic Sagas --
HUSH: AN IRISH PRINCESS' TALE
KIRKUS:
... spellbinding... rich in details both tender and blood-soaked... vivid, precise, cinematic.
HIDDEN
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:
Napoli seamlessly weaves cultural, mythological, and historical information together, immersing the readers in Norse life.
Tales Based on Characters from Greek Mythology
...a poignant tale of relatable longing with the most beautiful language.
SIRENA
THE GREAT GOD PAN
KIRKUS:
... lush and varying landscapes... pulsing with erotic tension... elegant and tragic solution
Tales based on biblical characters
VOYA:
.... Readers will feel all the anxiety, anticipation, fear, and hopelessness along with the people confined to the ark. . ...
BOOKLIST:
... richness of detail and depth of feeling... Lyrical and layered...
For a recording of the author reading, please click here.
STORM
SONG OF THE MAGDALENE
Contemporary stories
FOR THE LOVE OF VENICE
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:
... a unique slant on contemporary politics and perspectives couched in exotic romance
NORTH
KIRKUS:
... fascinating [journey], organically incorporating a wealth of detail about the Arctic and its human and non-human inhabitants.
SKIN
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: ...teens will relate to her feelings of betrayal toward her body... truly a novel about personal growth and the power of loving and believing in yourself.