A review by williamsdebbied
Breath by Donna Jo Napoli

5.0

What can I say? I simply love this author's fairy tale retellings. I especially enjoy the elements of paganism that permeate the stories. This one, Breath, is based on The Pied Piper of Hamelin. Salz suffers from cystic fibrosis at a time in history when no one survived this disease for long. Thanks to his grandmother's care, Salz is still alive and kicking at the ripe old age of 12. When a mysterious disease sickens the farm animals, and later the people of Hameln, Salz, along with many of the younger children stay healthy. Salz finally convinces the town leaders to hire a piper to draw the rats away from the city because he believes that the rats caused the sickness. When the town leaders do not [b:pay the piper|122104|Pay the Piper A Rock 'n' Roll Fairy Tale|Jane Yolen|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171837316s/122104.jpg|1528] as promised, even more trouble ensues. While the ending is not a particularly happy one, it is hopeful.