Spin

“Spin is a powerful feminist retelling of an ancient tale about empathy and defiance, written in beautiful verse from a truly unique viewpoint.”—Margarita Engle, Newbery Honor-winning author of The Surrender Tree and Young People's Poet Laureate Emeritus

“In Spin, Rebecca Caprara pulls together threads of millennia-old stories and weaves a completely fresh tapestry that unravels what we thought we knew of Arachne. From the first page, lush, self-assured verse immerses readers in a world both mythic and all too familiar. A tour de force!”—Joy McCullough, award-winning author of Blood, Water, Paint

“Intricately weaves the myth of Arachne in beautiful verse that is filled with rebellion, hope, and longing. Perfect for Madeline Miller fans!”—Kip Wilson, award-winning author of White Rose

“Caprara spins heartbreak into art, myth into reality, and poetry into music, all within a masterful narrative frame. Spin is a stunning must-read."—Colby Cedar Smith, award-winning author of Call Me Athena: Girl from Detroit

* “Caprara’s novel-in-verse gives Arachne’s tale the texture it needs to keep readers engaged. Her frustration and anger towards the gods’ unwillingness to show her mercy in multiple aspects of her life is palpable. Greek myths are seamlessly woven into the text as stories from Arachne’s mother, which greatly impact Arachne’s feelings. The pacing is perfect, starting off slowly and building to the exciting climax of Arachne’s competition with Athena...Captivating. Readers who enjoy mythology will devour this novel.”

* "Via alternating past and present narration told in sensate verse, Caprara cultivates a tale of ill-fated competition between mortals and gods in this captivating read, a crash course in Greek mythology...Fittingly using Arachne’s mythos as a framework, Caprara navigates issues surrounding gender norms, grief, and trauma, while accentuating how art and storytelling can serve as acts of healing and advocacy."

* "Gifted poet and storyteller Caprara keeps readers engaged, varying the pace, cadence, and emotional shading of Arachne’s passionate refutation of the gods’ ruthless exercise of power and privilege. Her own anger serves her purposes; if speaking truth to power exacts a high price, it’s one she’s willing to pay. Exciting, richly textured, thought-provoking fare."

* “Rather than hubris being Arachne's ‘downfall,’ it is her courage to illuminate the suffering and oppression of women and her refusal to dismiss her natural artistry and hard work as a mere gift from the gods. . . . This compelling work explores female agency in a thought-provoking manner that teen readers won't soon forget."

"Fans of Greek mythology will find themselves immersed in Caprara’s novel-in-verse retelling of Arachne. . . . Caprara weaves other myths—Daphne, Persephone, Aite—into Arachne’s story, tucking a strong feminist message into her lovely writing that is sure to resonate with modern audiences."

“Caprara recasts the story of Arachne for a generation of young activists.”