Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim (Grades 4-6)

Six Crimson Cranes tells the story of Shiori'anma, a princess in the land of Kiata, who must conceal her forbidden magical abilities. When she loses control of it during the morning of her betrothal ceremony, her stepmother, Raikama, who is also a secret sorceress, banishes her and transforms her six brothers into cranes. Raikama warns Shiori'anma that for each word she speaks, one of her brothers will die. Alone and silent, Shiori'anma must now find a way to untangle a conspiracy that threatens her kingdom and her home.

Elizabeth Lim began her journey as a writer by writing fan fiction for Sailor Moon and Star Wars. After graduating from Harvard with a degree in Music and East Asian Studies, she completed both a Master's in Music and a Doctorate in Music Composition from Julliard. Six Crimson Cranes is her fifth YA novel.