Spin

A Chicago Public Library Teen-Approved Best Book of 2023

Step into a world where ancient myth meets fierce, contemporary voice. Spin reimagines the story of Arachne—the legendary weaver who dared to challenge a goddess—as a sweeping sapphic tale told in luminous verse that will leave you breathless.

Arachne has never fit in. Ostracized and overlooked, she finds refuge in the steady rhythm of her loom, where threads become her language and weaving becomes her power. Alongside Celandine, her devoted friend and confidante, Arachne transforms her craft into something extraordinary—a voice that cannot be ignored. When word of her talent reaches the ears of Athena herself, a fateful contest unfolds, exposing divine cruelty and demanding justice for wrongs long buried in silence.

“A powerful feminist retelling of an ancient tale about empathy and defiance, written in beautiful verse from a truly unique viewpoint,” raves Newbery Honor winner Margarita Engle. Kirkus Reviews calls it “exciting, richly textured, thought-provoking” in a starred review, and readers are discovering why this verse novel resonates so deeply in our current moment.

Perfect for fans of The Song of Achilles and Circe, Rebecca Caprara’s brilliant debut unravels centuries of misrepresentation, reclaiming Arachne’s story as one of courage, artistry, and long-overdue redemption. Here at Perkins Cove, we’re drawn to stories that weave the old and new together—and this one does it beautifully.

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