Hereville

Deutsch, Barry. Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword. Amulet, 2010.

Mirka lives in an Orthodox Jewish community, but she doesn't want to learn how to be a good wife; she wants to fight dragons. Blending elements of multiculturalism with fantasy, this story follows Mirka as she speaks with a witch, who sends her to a troll to get a sword, which will then allow Mirka to slay the dragons she's always wanted to fight. The fairy-tale elements are enjoyable as is the look into the life of an Orthodox Jewish community.

Recommended for: teens and tweens
Red Flags: I believe the best term is "cartoon violence" - nothing serious, but Mirka is trying to get a sword in order to kill dragons
Overall Rating: 5/5

Read-alike for Patricia Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles.