Hans Christian Andersen Lives Next Door

Author Cary Fagan
Illustrated by Chelsea O'Byrne
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Hardcover
$16.99 US
5.75"W x 8.56"H x 0.64"D  
On sale Sep 05, 2023 | 160 Pages | 9781774880159
Grades 4-7
Reading Level: Lexile 650L

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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?
© Josh Levine
CARY FAGAN's kids' books include Robot Island; Hans Christian Andersen Lives Next Door; Water, Water (winner of the Vine National Canadian Jewish Book Award); The Collected Works of Gretchen Oyster; the Kaspar Snit novels; and the Wolfie and Fly chapter book series. He is also the author of many picture books, including Mr. Zinger's Hat (Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award winner), Little Blue Chair, and Bear Wants to Sing.  Cary has received the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People for his body of work.  He lives in Toronto, Canada. View titles by Cary Fagan
CHELSEA O'BYRNE is an author, illustrator and art teacher based in Vancouver, British Columbia. She graduated in 2016 from Emily Carr University of Art + Design with a B.F.A. in Illustration. Since then, she has worked in editorial illustration and children’s books. Chelsea uses a combination of many different materials to make her illustrations, including gouache, watercolor, colored pencil, pastel, graphite, ink and markers. View titles by Chelsea O'Byrne
  • NOMINEE | 2025
    Red Cedar Book Award
  • SHORTLIST | 2025
    Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award
"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
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About

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?

Author

© Josh Levine
CARY FAGAN's kids' books include Robot Island; Hans Christian Andersen Lives Next Door; Water, Water (winner of the Vine National Canadian Jewish Book Award); The Collected Works of Gretchen Oyster; the Kaspar Snit novels; and the Wolfie and Fly chapter book series. He is also the author of many picture books, including Mr. Zinger's Hat (Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award winner), Little Blue Chair, and Bear Wants to Sing.  Cary has received the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People for his body of work.  He lives in Toronto, Canada. View titles by Cary Fagan
CHELSEA O'BYRNE is an author, illustrator and art teacher based in Vancouver, British Columbia. She graduated in 2016 from Emily Carr University of Art + Design with a B.F.A. in Illustration. Since then, she has worked in editorial illustration and children’s books. Chelsea uses a combination of many different materials to make her illustrations, including gouache, watercolor, colored pencil, pastel, graphite, ink and markers. View titles by Chelsea O'Byrne

Awards

  • NOMINEE | 2025
    Red Cedar Book Award
  • SHORTLIST | 2025
    Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award

Praise

"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

Photos

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