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Description
The arrival of a mysterious new neighbor inspires a kid to write her own poetry in this humorous and unforgettable new middle-grade novel by award-winning author Cary Fagan.
Andie Gladman is your typical kid — she lives in a small town, doesn't have many friends and quietly puts up with taunts from the school bully, Myrtle Klinghoffer. But one day, a new neighbor moves into the house next to Andie's family . . . and he looks awfully familiar. Could he be famous author Hans Christian Andersen? Andie sure thinks so, and the arrival of this well-known writer inspires Andie to write her own poems (with a feminist twist) based on his classic fairy tales. Her newfound hobby leads her to make a friend and finally feel some excitement about her previously quiet life . . . but will a shocking revelation change everything for Andie?
Andie Gladman is your typical kid — she lives in a small town, doesn't have many friends and quietly puts up with taunts from the school bully, Myrtle Klinghoffer. But one day, a new neighbor moves into the house next to Andie's family . . . and he looks awfully familiar. Could he be famous author Hans Christian Andersen? Andie sure thinks so, and the arrival of this well-known writer inspires Andie to write her own poems (with a feminist twist) based on his classic fairy tales. Her newfound hobby leads her to make a friend and finally feel some excitement about her previously quiet life . . . but will a shocking revelation change everything for Andie?
Video Media
Prizes
- Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book AwardNominated 2025
Review Quotes
"Andie [is] a born storyteller. . . . Chelsea O’Byrne’s drawings, delicate and folksy, help bring the characters out of the narrative shadows." —New York Times
"[A] funny and thought-provoking middle-grade novel about the power of stories — especially the ones we tell ourselves." —Quill & Quire
"Hans Christian Andersen Lives Next Door makes a good choice for newly independent readers and fairy tale aficionados." —CM: Canadian Review of Materials
"[A] funny and thought-provoking middle-grade novel about the power of stories — especially the ones we tell ourselves." —Quill & Quire
"Hans Christian Andersen Lives Next Door makes a good choice for newly independent readers and fairy tale aficionados." —CM: Canadian Review of Materials
Biographical note
CARY FAGAN's numerous kids' books include Water, Water, The Collected Works of Gretchen Oyster, which was a JLG selection, the Kaspar Snit novels, the Wolfie & Fly chapter books, and the picture books Little Blue Chair, What Are You Doing, Benny?, Bear Wants to Sing and King Mouse, which was shortlisted for the Governor General's Award. Mr. Zinger's Hat, another of his picture books, was awarded the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and the IODE Jean Throop Award. He has also won the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People for his body of work. Cary was born and raised in Toronto, where he continues to live with his family.
CHELSEA O'BYRNE graduated from Emily Carr University of Art + Design with a B.F.A. in Illustration. Since then, she has worked primarily in editorial illustration and children's books. She is the author-illustrator of If I Were King, and illustrator of Bibi's Got Game, Teatime Around the World, Hello Crow and other books. Chelsea is currently working on her seventh picture book. She is based in Vancouver, British Columbia.
CHELSEA O'BYRNE graduated from Emily Carr University of Art + Design with a B.F.A. in Illustration. Since then, she has worked primarily in editorial illustration and children's books. She is the author-illustrator of If I Were King, and illustrator of Bibi's Got Game, Teatime Around the World, Hello Crow and other books. Chelsea is currently working on her seventh picture book. She is based in Vancouver, British Columbia.
