Tales from the Hood

Today Show Kids Book Club Pick

New York Times Bestseller

Book Sense Pick

Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award

Kirkus Reviews Best Fantasy Book

A Real Simple magazine “Must-Have”

New York Public Library 100 Titles for

Reading and Sharing Selection

“Why didn’t I think of

The Sisters Grimm?

What a great concept!” —Jane Yolen

“A very fun series . . .” —

Chicago Parent

“The twists and turns of the plot, the clever

humor, and the behind-the-scenes glimpses

of Everafters we think we know will appeal to

many readers.” —

Kliatt

, starred review

ALSO BY MICHAEL BUCKLEY:

In the Sisters Grimm series:

BOOK ONE: THE FAIRY-TALE DETECTIVES

BOOK TWO: THE UNUSUAL SUSPECTS

BOOK THREE: THE PROBLEM CHILD

BOOK FOUR: ONCE UPON A CRIME

BOOK FIVE: MAGIC AND OTHER MISDEMEANORS

BOOK SIX: TALES FROM THE HOOD

BOOK SEVEN: THE EVERAFTER WAR

BOOK EIGHT: THE INSIDE STORY

In the NERDS series:

BOOK ONE: NATIONAL ESPIONAGE, RESCUE,

AND DEFENSE SOCIETY

BOOK TWO: M IS FOR MAMA’S BOY

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents

are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any

resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is

entirely coincidental.

The Library of Congress has cataloged the hardcover edition as follows:

Buckley, Michael.

Tales from the hood / by Michael Buckley ; illustrated by Peter Ferguson.

p. cm. — (Sisters Grimm ; bk. 6)

Summary: When a kangaroo court of Everafters, led by Judge Mad Hatter, tries Mr. Canis

for his past crimes as the Big Bad Wolf, the Grimms seek evidence to save their friend,

although Sabrina questions whether he should be saved.

ISBN 978-0-8109-9478-2 (Harry N. Abrams)

[1. Characters in literature—Fiction. 2. Trials—Fiction. 3. Sisters—Fiction. 4. Magic—

Fiction. 5. Mystery and detective stories.] I. Ferguson, Peter, 1968– ill. II. Title.

PZ7.B882323Tal 2008

[Fic]—dc22

2008000962

Paperback ISBN 978-0-8109-8925-2

Originally published in hardcover by Amulet Books in 2008

Text copyright © 2008 Michael Buckley

Illustrations copyright © 2008 Peter Ferguson

Excerpt of The Everafter War copyright © 2009 Michael Buckley

Published in 2009 by Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS. All rights reserved. No

portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in

any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise,

without written permission from the publisher. Amulet Books and Amulet Paperbacks are

registered trademarks of Harry N. Abrams, Inc.

Amulet Books are available at special discounts when purchased in quantity for premiums

and promotions as well as fundraising or educational use. Special editions can also be created

to specification. For details, contact [email protected] /* */ or the address below.

www.abramsbooks.com

For my friend Joe Deasy

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

In writing this book I have mined the work of many great writers and folklore collectors. Without their prolific imaginations, the Sisters Grimm could have never come to life.

I’d also like to thank my editor, Susan Van Metre, for her patience and support; Maggie Lehrman for her careful reading and excellent ideas; my wife, Alison Fargis, for her help with brainstorming and, of course, for being the best-looking literary agent in the world; Jason Wells for making me famous and for his tireless efforts to keep me that way; Joe Deasy for his friendship and laughter; my family and friends and everyone at Abrams, whose continued support keeps these books well written and well read.

SABRINA HAD NEVER FELT AS CONFIDENT as she did at that moment. For the first time in a long time she wasn’t worried about monsters, villains, or lunatics. She didn’t fear surprise attacks or betrayal by people she trusted. In fact, she was eager for a confrontation. Let one of the Scarlet Hand’s thugs try something and she would crush them into dust! Her body was strong. Her blood was hungry. She was a wrecking machine.

She wanted to tell her sister how she felt. If only she could make Daphne understand that what was happening was a good thing, but the words were hard to find. Her thoughts were cloudy and complicated. It didn’t help that everyone was shouting, and the room was filled with strong winds.

Sabrina turned to Daphne. The little girl was undergoing her own transformation. A swirling black fog circled her body, blocking out most of her face. All Sabrina could see were her eyes, like two brilliant suns illuminating dark corners and obliterating shadows.

“Sabrina, you have to stop this!” Gra