Reviews & Edition Information for By These Ten Bones

By Clare B. Dunkle. New York: Henry Holt, 2005.
Edited by Reka Simonsen.
A folklore-based fantasy/horror novel for young adult readers.

Shortlisted for the 2006 Mythopoeic Award for Children's Literature.

A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book.

A 2006-2007 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award nominee.

Selected for the 2006 New York Public Library's Books for the Teen Age publication.

An ALA 2006 Best Books for Young Adults nominee.

A BWI Top Pick of Children's and Young Adult Books.

A 2005 Sonderbooks Stand-Out.

Holt will be releasing a paperback edition in early 2011.

Aschehoug has released a Danish edition translatted by Birgitte Brix. The Danish title is Træskærerens Skygge.

"Scary, scary, scary. Dunkle does a wonderful job of blending the gothic genre with the universal theme of good vs. evil. Her characters are well-rounded and interesting. Her description is vivid and her story is captivating. I recommend this book to all high school readers who like a story that pulls them in immediately, scares the stuffing out of them, and then makes them feel warm and fuzzy by the end."
—Lorgnette: Heart of Texas Reviews (Highly recommended)

"In this strong-boned fantasy, the Scotland of the Middle Ages comes to full and vibrant new life around Maddie, who lives wholeheartedly within the limited compass afforded her. ... Paul marks his monthly change from man to monster with ... manipulative tricks that chill the reader—in fact, Dunkle's superb treatment of such a violent, desperate character and the straightforward young woman who loves him is what makes this novel the success it is."
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (Recommended)

"Need a sophisticated book for a reluctant teen reader? This book has just enough tension with mystery and evil to keep readers turning the pages."
— BWI Newsletter (a Top Pick)

"Spine-tingling ... Dunkle creates a menacing atmosphere for this chillingly good tale. Readers will cheer Maddie on as she wrestles—and conquers—her deepest fears."
—Publishers Weekly

"Clare Dunkle's novel is set in a time of strong superstition. The violence of Paul's secret is, in many ways, more empathy-rending and less disturbing than the violence of some power-hungry townspeople. This story is disturbing, but its conclusion is satisfying."
—Children's Literature

"Just as Dunkle tweaked traditional portrayals of trolls and elves in her in-progress Hollow Kingdom trilogy, here she posits a similarly fresh version of werewolves. ... Readers with a taste for fantasy rooted in folklore and history, and a stomach for grisly horror, will happily roam the mist-shrouded Highlands of Dunkle's latest creation."
—Booklist

"The moody setting lends a romantic and mysterious air, as does the cover art and the age-old theme of self-sacrifice, which will appeal to fans of the genre. ... The integration of historical details of medieval village life and beliefs provides interest."
—School Library Journal

"Just as in the old ballads, true love defeats horror when magic strikes a Scottish village. ... The archetypal romance and blend of Christianity with paganism fits well among these lovingly described medieval Scots. ... Maddie's initiative is endearing."
—Kirkus

"The character of Maddie is finely drawn, with her conflicting loyalties to her family, her village, and her new love. ... It will appeal to teens who like a good werewolf yarn but want a little more depth to their stories."
—VOYA

"...I'm going to call this book historical fiction rather than fantasy fiction. This is how it would have been if the legends of werewolves were actually true."
—Sonderbooks.Com