Trollbridge: A Rock ‘N’ Roll Fairy Tale

Yolen, Jane and Adam Stemple. Trollbridge: A Rock 'N' Roll Fairy Tale. Tom Doherty Associates, 2006. ISBN 0-765-31426-6

Plot Summary

Moira is a sixteen year old harpist prodigy, and she is also one of this year's dairy princesses. She'll have her likeness carved in butter and displayed at the Vanderby State Fair. At least it's good publicity. Meanwhile, the insanely popular music group, The Griffson Brothers, is taking a much needed break. Suddenly, The Griffson Brothers, Moira, and the eleven other dairy princesses are swept off of the Trollholm Bridge and into a strange land. It seems that by an ancient pack a family of trolls living under the bridge would leave the people alone if they received an offering of 12 maidens ever year. Trolls, being dumb, didn't mind that diary princesses had been substituted for real girls, but when the townspeople decide not to leave the butter on the bridge (something about hurting fish populations downstream) the troll takes the girls. Moira is saved by an enchanted fox named Fossegrim because he needs her help. The fox can't escape the troll's land without his fiddle and he knows that Moira, being a musician can get the fiddle and play the magic song that he needs. Uneasily, Moira makes a deal with the fox and they set out to find the others before the trolls eat them or worse, marry them. It seems that the youngest of the Griffson brothers is also a true musician, so he can also hear the fox speak. The fox shouldn't be trusted, but he may be their best bet for escaping the trolls alive. Interwoven with the story are songs and music is what eventually convinces the trolls to let the humans go.

Critical Evaluation

As usual, Yolen takes a classic tale and reinvents it so that it seems like the Scandinavian source tales have always belonged in the Midwest. The authors provide a helpful note at the beginning that explains the origins of the story and also what they have changed. The songs, which are interspersed throughout the story are interesting, but without the accompanying music, seem more like bad poetry than song lyrics. Also, as the songs tend to recap what has already happened in the text, they are redundant to the reader. Music aside, the characters were amusing and the setting was delightful. Setting the tale in modern day America makes the reader see everything in a new light, as if fairy tales are possible.

Reader's Annotation

When the townspeople decide not to leave the carved dairy princesses on the Trollholm Bridge as they had done for centuries, they unwittingly break a pact with the family of trolls who live under the bridge. The trolls take their own princesses- this time real girls, Moira among them. Moira, a child prodigy harpist, teams up with an enchanted fox to save the other girls and escape the trolls.

About the Author

Jane Yolen is the author of more than 300 books. She is also a master storyteller, collecting and retelling folktales from around the world. She is known for her modern adaptations and reimaginings. Adam Stemple, Yolen's son, is a professional musician. They have also collaborated on Pay the Piper, another Rock 'n' Roll Fairy Tale.

Genre

Fantasy

Fairy Tale Adaptation

Curriculum Ties

Fairy Tales

Booktalking Ideas

What is the Fossegrim offering Moira, and why should she be worried

Reading Level / Interest Age

Grades 5-8

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas

None

Why Book was Included

I wanted to read some of Yolen's more recent works.