Tales from the Hood
Today Show
Kids Book Club Pick
New York Times
Bestseller
Book Sense Pick
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award
Kirkus Reviews
Best Fantasy Book
A
Real Simple
magazine “Must-Have”
New York Public Library 100 Titles for
Reading and Sharing Selection
“Why didn’t I think of
The Sisters Grimm?
What a great concept!” —Jane Yolen
“A very fun series . . .” —
Chicago Parent
“The twists and turns of the plot, the clever
humor, and the behind-the-scenes glimpses
of Everafters we think we know will appeal to
many readers.” —
Kliatt
, starred review
ALSO BY MICHAEL BUCKLEY
:
In the
Sisters Grimm
series:
BOOK ONE: THE FAIRY-TALE DETECTIVES
BOOK TWO: THE UNUSUAL SUSPECTS
BOOK THREE: THE PROBLEM CHILD
BOOK FOUR: ONCE UPON A CRIME
BOOK FIVE: MAGIC AND OTHER MISDEMEANORS
BOOK SIX: TALES FROM THE HOOD
BOOK SEVEN: THE EVERAFTER WAR
BOOK EIGHT: THE INSIDE STORY
In the
NERDS
series:
BOOK ONE: NATIONAL ESPIONAGE, RESCUE,
AND DEFENSE SOCIETY
BOOK TWO: M IS FOR MAMA’S BOY
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents
are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any
resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is
entirely coincidental.
The Library of Congress has cataloged the hardcover edition as follows:
Buckley, Michael.
Tales from the hood / by Michael Buckley ; illustrated by Peter Ferguson.
p. cm. — (Sisters Grimm ; bk. 6)
Summary: When a kangaroo court of Everafters, led by Judge Mad Hatter, tries Mr. Canis
for his past crimes as the Big Bad Wolf, the Grimms seek evidence to save their friend,
although Sabrina questions whether he should be saved.
ISBN 978-0-8109-9478-2 (Harry N. Abrams)
[1. Characters in literature—Fiction. 2. Trials—Fiction. 3. Sisters—Fiction. 4. Magic—
Fiction. 5. Mystery and detective stories.] I. Ferguson, Peter, 1968– ill. II. Title.
PZ7.B882323Tal 2008
[Fic]—dc22
2008000962
Paperback ISBN 978-0-8109-8925-2
Originally published in hardcover by Amulet Books in 2008
Text copyright © 2008 Michael Buckley
Illustrations copyright © 2008 Peter Ferguson
Excerpt of
The Everafter War
copyright © 2009 Michael Buckley
Published in 2009 by Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS. All rights reserved. No
portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in
any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise,
without written permission from the publisher. Amulet Books and Amulet Paperbacks are
registered trademarks of Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
Amulet Books are available at special discounts when purchased in quantity for premiums
and promotions as well as fundraising or educational use. Special editions can also be created
to specification. For details, contact [email protected] or the address below.
For my friend Joe Deasy
A
CKNOWLEDGMENTS
In writing this book I have mined the work of many great writers and folklore collectors. Without their prolific imaginations, the Sisters Grimm could have never come to life.
I’d also like to thank my editor, Susan Van Metre, for her patience and support; Maggie Lehrman for her careful reading and excellent ideas; my wife, Alison Fargis, for her help with brainstorming and, of course, for being the best-looking literary agent in the world; Jason Wells for making me famous and for his tireless efforts to keep me that way; Joe Deasy for his friendship and laughter; my family and friends and everyone at Abrams, whose continued support keeps these books well written and well read.
S
ABRINA HAD NEVER FELT AS CONFIDENT
as she did at that moment. For the first time in a long time she wasn’t worried about monsters, villains, or lunatics. She didn’t fear surprise attacks or betrayal by people she trusted. In fact, she was eager for a confrontation. Let one of the Scarlet Hand’s thugs try something and she would crush them into dust! Her body was strong. Her blood was hungry. She was a wrecking machine
.
She wanted to tell her sister how she felt. If only she could make Daphne understand that what was happening was a good thing, but the words were hard to find. Her thoughts were cloudy and complicated. It didn’t help that everyone was shouting, and the room was filled with strong winds
.
Sabrina turned to Daphne. The little girl was undergoing her own transformation. A swirling black fog circled her body, blocking out most of her face. All Sabrina could see were her eyes, like two brilliant suns illuminating dark corners and obliterating shadows
.
“Sabrina, you have to stop this!” Granny Relda cried
.
Sabrina was confused. What did her grandmother mean? She wasn’t doing anything wrong
.
“You have to fight this!” Daphne said from behind the black fog. “I know you are still in there. Don’t let him control you!”
“Why are you talking to me like this?” Sabrina asked. When no one replied, she realized her words were only in her head
.
“Fight him, child,” a voice said from below. Sabrina glanced down. Mr. Canis lay at her feet—old and withered, his body trapped in the clutches of a huge, fur-covered paw. It was squeezing the life from the old man’s chest. She cried out, hoping someone would help her pull her friend from the monster’s terrible grip, but her pleas ceased when she realized the claws that were killing Mr. Canis were her own
.
abrina Grimm awoke with a crazy dream fresh in her mind. In it, she was walking along a stone path when she realized she was naked. She screamed and rushed to some bushes to hide herself, wondering how she could have left the house without remembering to get dressed. A moment later the worst possible person came along—Puck. Since she had little alternative, she begged him to bring her clothes. He flew off and quickly returned with a pair of jeans, a shirt, and sneakers, which he left by the bushes so she could dress in private. Then, surprisingly, he walked away without a single smart-aleck comment. Relieved, she put the clothing on and continued on her way, only to find people pointing at her and staring. She looked down and found she was naked, again. Puck appeared once more. He told her that clothes couldn’t hide who she really was. That’s when she woke up, angry and embarrassed. Even in her dreams, Puck was a pain.