"Color of Heaven" by Kim Dong Hwa

This is the final installment in the Color trilogy by Hwa, illustrating his mother's adolescence in rural Korea. This story resumes when Duksam, Elwa's true love, leaves the village to work on a fishing boat. Elwa patiently waits for his return, as he's promised to build her a house and marry her. Elwa and her mother are pining for their men, and taking in the simple pleasures in their daily routine. Korean symbolism, folklore and superstition are interspersed in this calm and tender story about a mother and daughter's relationship, and the men in their lives. Some sexual situations, best for older teens.

"Calamity Jack" by Shannon and Dean Hale

Jack (of beanstalk fame) is always trying to set things right, even when it involves stealing from the rich and powerful to teach them a lesson. He’s been in his fair share of trouble, especially when he decides to break into a certain giant’s house and steal some golden eggs. One tiny bean turns into a giant green tower, and Jack turns into a wanted man. He’s forced to leave his hometown, his mother, and ventures into the Wild West, where he joins forces with Rapunzel. Years pass, and Jack returns home, only to find the giant has taken over the town, and is holding his mother prisoner. Jack and Rapunzel join forces, and with the help of magic pixies, justice may finally be served.

This is a great retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk, with an added punch of adventure and a surprising love triangle. Shannon and Dean Hale also wrote Rapunzel’s Revenge, another awesome fairy tale twist.

"The Storm in the Barn" by Matt Phelan

It hasn't rained in years. The fields are dried up, crops are ruined and people are starting to leave town. The year is 1937, and Jack's family is living in the middle of the Dust Bowl. Jack can't tell if he's going crazy, or experiencing "dust dementia" when he discovers a mysterious creature living in the neighbor's barn. This book won the Scott O'Dell award for Historical Fiction.