Every fairy tale has a boy who doesn't get saved. Candlewick: The Donkey Who Remembered is a dark, thrilling companion novel to Carlo Collodi's classic The Adventures of Pinocchio, told from the point of view of the boy history forgot: Lampwick, the laziest, boldest, most magnetic troublemaker in school, who convinces Pinocchio to run away to Toyland, gets turned into a donkey for it, and is never heard from again. This is his story: abandonment and transformation, slavery and the circus ring, shipwreck and the belly of a sea monster, rebellion, forbidden magic, and one impossible shot at becoming human again. It's an adventure novel about identity, addiction, friendship, and redemption, wrapped in the fairy-tale world of talking crickets, blue-haired fairies, fox-and-cat con artists, and the terrifying Coachman who harvests lazy boys for profit. Pinocchio spin-off, dark fairy tale retelling, coming-of-age fantasy adventure, transformation curse, boy-into-donkey, Toyland, the Land of Busy Bees, talking animals, Blue Fairy, magical realism, Italian folklore, found family, redemption arc, shipwreck, sea monster, circus slavery, classic literature reimagined, middle-grade to YA crossover, adventure fantasy, curse-breaking quest, second chances. Clara M Everhart is a lifelong educator and writer dedicated to inspiring young readers to discover the magic of literature. With over two decades of experience in classrooms and libraries, she has curated and adapted timeless stories to spark imagination, encourage thoughtful discussion, and nurture a lasting love of reading. Her collections aim to make literature both accessible and exciting for students, while providing teachers with engaging tools for developing critical thinking skills. - linktr.ee/ClaraMEverhart Step beyond the familiar paths of beloved classics into the hidden corners, forgotten characters, and unexplored adventures that linger just out of sight. Enchanted Echoes is a whimsical collection of original side stories that expand the magical universes.
