“I am always dying. I am never dying. I have died and died and died again, but I do not stay dead.” When the lines between fairy tale and reality blur, identity becomes fluid, and compassion can have unexpected costs. In “Nell,” a short story inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Match Girl,” award-winning author Karen Hesse adds a haunting, supernatural twist to a classic tale. “Nell” was originally published in What You Wish For, a collection of short stories and poems collected by the Book Wish Foundation. All proceeds from the book are used to fund libraries in Darfuri refugee camps in Chad. Learn more here. Karen Hesse is the winner of the MacArthur “Genius” Award, and the acclaimed author of more than twenty books for children and young adults, including Brooklyn Bridge and Out of the Dust, a Newbery Medal Winner. Her next novel for young adults, Safekeeping, will be available on September 18th.