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Table of Contents
About the Book
A girl and her friends must save their village from a swarm of troublesome undead in this illustrated middle grade fantasy inspired by Icelandic sagas that’s an “adventurous tale with a heartwarming message of acceptance” (Kirkus Reviews) perfect for fans of Kelly Barnhill and Rick Riordan’s Magnus Chase.
Helga doesn’t know where she comes from. All she knows is life with Goat-Thigh, who found her as a baby in the highlands and gave her a home. Goat-Thigh used to be plagued with fits of berserker fury—a battle rage that made him dangerous to everyone around—until he took in Helga. Now, Helga won’t ever leave his side, even if their neighbors shun him.
But their lives are disrupted when a nearby haunted mountain cracks open and a mob of vengeful undead invades the land. In the chaos, Goat-Thigh’s berserker fits are triggered…and he’s unable to break free.
To save her adoptive father, Helga will need the help of some unlikely friends to banish the undead—including mischievous ox tails, rowdy house crashers, and frightening monsters with family secrets. Can Helga and her allies outsmart these specters and confront the deep wounds from their tangled pasts?
Helga doesn’t know where she comes from. All she knows is life with Goat-Thigh, who found her as a baby in the highlands and gave her a home. Goat-Thigh used to be plagued with fits of berserker fury—a battle rage that made him dangerous to everyone around—until he took in Helga. Now, Helga won’t ever leave his side, even if their neighbors shun him.
But their lives are disrupted when a nearby haunted mountain cracks open and a mob of vengeful undead invades the land. In the chaos, Goat-Thigh’s berserker fits are triggered…and he’s unable to break free.
To save her adoptive father, Helga will need the help of some unlikely friends to banish the undead—including mischievous ox tails, rowdy house crashers, and frightening monsters with family secrets. Can Helga and her allies outsmart these specters and confront the deep wounds from their tangled pasts?
About the Author
Photograph by Sarah Cruz Photography
S. J. Taylor writes stories steeped in folklore and magic, where young protagonists tackle big adventures and bigger questions. Although she grew up in Arizona’s desert, her heart yearns for the Nordic lands. When she’s not writing, she can often be found knitting yet another sweater (sweater weather is the best weather). She lives with her family in Connecticut. Visit her at SJTaylorBooks.com.
About the Illustrator
Alla Khatkevich is an illustrator who was born in the town of Ulan-Ude, Russia. Every summer when she was a child, she would go camping with her father by the lake. Spending time fishing, picking berries, and sleeping in tents is when Alla first fell in love with fairy tales. She now creates magical illustrations for children’s books. She is the illustrator of the middle grade novel Helga the Fair by S. J. Taylor. Alla also loves to travel with her husband and is inspired by new places and cultures. Her adorable dog, who looks like a cheerful fox, is always next to her while she works.?
Product Details
- Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (June 16, 2026)
- Length: 368 pages
- ISBN13: 9781665974516
- Grades: 3 - 7
- Ages: 8 - 12
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Raves and Reviews
"Helga’s first-person narration effectively captures a universal longing for acceptance, combining elements from Icelandic sagas and Norse mythology with themes of difference and acceptance. . . An adventurous tale with a heartwarming message of acceptance."
– Kirkus Reviews
“A terrific fantasy adventure with a rich world, cool monsters, and a protagonist who is bighearted, fierce, and so much fun to follow.”
– —Anne Ursu, author of The Lost Girl, Breadcrumb
“S. J. Taylor weaves words together like magic, making Helga the Fair a delight from start to finish. . . . A moving story of found family, love, and self-acceptance.”
– —Cassandra Ramos-Gomez, author of Lost on Doll Island
“An adventurous tale rich with Icelandic lore, this is a page-turner of a book!”
– —Moniza Hossain, author of Bad Things Happened Here
“A fun twist on Icelandic folklore, packed with suspense, humor, and an undead army that refuses to behave like proper monsters.”
– —Shakirah Bourne, author of Nightmare Island
“Strange, lovely, and fierce . . . A rollicking fantasy at its most imaginative.”
– —Mary Averling, author of The Curse of Eelgrass Bog
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
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Book Cover Image (jpg): Helga the Fair
eBook 9781665974516
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Author Photo (jpg): S. J. Taylor Photograph by Sarah Cruz Photography(0.1 MB)
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