Fairy Tale
Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Oct.07, 2013, under Fairy Tale, Fantasy, ORCA, Sam's Reviews, YRCA
Who would like this book? People, ages 11 and up, who like fairytale-like stories in which good overcomes evil after much suspense.
The goods on this book: Liesl, an orphan who misses her sweet father and mother greatly, has been locked in the attic by her evil, conniving stepmother who is set on stealing the family fortune from Liesl. Liesl finds comfort by visits from an understanding and soft-hearted ghost, Po, and his ghostly pet, Bundle. Through Po, Liesl learns of her father’s last wishes, and she must plot an escape so that she can fulfill his wishes. Meanwhile, another orphan, Will, has a rough life working as an apprentice to a selfish, egotistical alchemist. Will’s one delight is to stand beneath Liesl’s window to get a peek at her lovely face. One dark night, Will is on a crucially important errand for the alchemist and mixes up a delivery of boxes that look alike. When Will must escape the wrath of his master, he runs away. His path crosses Liesl’s, and they must somehow evade the wicked adults who are hot on their trail. The book is delightful and exciting, with plenty of suspense and illustrations that complement the story. Liesl & Po is very different from Lauren Oliver’s other books (Before I Fall and Delirium), demonstrating that she has an impressive range as a writer.
The details: 307 pages; 2011 Review by Samrarian
Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Oct.06, 2013, under Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Student Reviews
Review by Grace N.
Who would like this book? I think that anybody who enjoys a good fantasy should read this book. I also think that girls would probably like it more than boys.
The goods on this book: This story is a magical parody of the Twelve Dancing Princesses. The 12 princesses are cursed to dance every night with the dreaded King Under the Stone’s sons. The king’s new gardener sets out to save the princesses, especially the eldest, Rose, with black knit chain and a magic cape. Will he succeed?
The details: 280 pages; 2009 Review by Grace N.
In a Glass Grimmly by Adam Gidwitz
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on May.09, 2013, under Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Student Reviews
Review by Makena B.
Who would like this book? I think kids older then 12 should read this book. Male or females would enjoy it.
The goods on this book: In a Glass Grimmly is about these two kids that go on a wild adventure to find a looking glass. There names are Jack and Jill. Jack and Jill run away from their homes so they could find the looking glass. Jill’s mother was the queen, and she only cared if she had the best and if she looked the best. Jack’s dad loves him, but Jack didn’t like the life stye of living on a farm. They meet this old lady that tells Jill everybody would admire her, and she told Jack everybody would look up to him. The old lady told them she can make that happen if they found the looking glass. So they agreed. Jack and Jill had to face giants, killing mermaids, goblins, and a GIANT SALAMANDER. Jack and Jill had to go inside the salamander’s stomach to find the glass. Will Jack and Jill find the glass in time for the old lady or will she kill them?
The details: 314 pp. 2012 Review by Makena B.
Little Miss Red by Robin Palmer
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Feb.12, 2013, under Fairy Tale, Humorous, Romance, Student Reviews
Review by Rachel
Who would like this book? Girls like Sophie Greene would. High schoolers dedicated to cute romance novels that you’ll remember forever.
The goods on the book: Sophie Greene is a cotton candy pink, homework doing, responsible big sister, type of sweet heart girl. But Devon? She’s a motorcycle riding, romantic maniac, drop dead gorgeous, adventure taking kinda chick. Devon is also fictional. But Sophie’s not. Sophie is real all right, and is getting tired of her predictable self. Her name may be Sophie, but she dreams of being a Devon. When a trip to see her boring old grandmother in a retirement home in Florida takes a romantic twist, she finds the guy to bring out the Devon in her. He’s dangerous, handsome, romantic… but he spells trouble with a capital T. Is she really ready to dedicate herself to a guy who won’t even split the bill? She has a perfectly good guy at home… but will the promise of danger and adventure cause her to throw it all away for a spring fling? Sophie is breaking out in hives from all the stress, and asks herself WWDD? (What would Devon do?)
The details: 272 pp. 2010 Review by Rachel
In a Glass Grimmly by Adam Gidwitz
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Jan.13, 2013, under Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Student Reviews
Review by Tae-Hui
Who would like this book? Any gender, any age, for people who like parodies (and violent) traditional stories. But I warn you, these stories are not for the light-hearted.
Why? The main characters, Jack, Jill, and Frog, set on a journey to make their dreams come true. Their target is ‘the Seeing Glass’, a treasure that is so valuable that, in the story, a king could trade it for all of his land and be called a wise man. The trio made a promise to ‘the Others’ that they would swear on their lives to find it in exchange for their dreams to come true.
As they continue on the journey, they go through foolish giants, evil mermaids, and more. Will they be able to find the Glass and, more importantly, find out what it really is?!
The details: 314 pp. 2012 Review by Tae-Hui
Cloaked by Alex Flinn
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Jan.03, 2013, under Adventure, Fairy Tale, Humorous, Romance, Sam's Reviews
Who would like this book? Readers, grades 6 and up, who like funny mashups of real life with fairy tales and romance. This one has appeal to guys as well as girls.
Why? Cloaked is a fun romp of a read that blends humor and adventure with fairy tales and romance. Johnny, 17, is a hard-working kid who repairs shoes at a posh resort in Miami, Florida. When Victoriana, the hard-partying princess of Alorian visits, he sees an opportunity to get some traction for his dream of designing his own shoes for the feet of the rich and famous. He gets a surprise, though, when Victoriana enlists his help to find her brother, Prince Phillipe, who has been turned into a frog by a curse. The ever-resourceful Meg, whose family runs the coffee shop next to Johnny’s shoe repair, lends her invaluable assistance as Johnny plunges forward into a world of magical cloaks and talking animals. Johnny tells the story with wry humor, making this book a ton of fun to read.
The details: 352 pp. 2011 Review by Samrarian
The Fairy Ring, or, Elsie and Frances Fool the World by Mary Losure
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Jan.03, 2013, under Fairy Tale, Mystery, Non-fiction, Sam's Reviews
Who would like this book? Readers, grades 5 and up, interested in a true story about girls who are fascinated by fairies (and the idea of fairies) and create fake photos that capture the attention of the world.
Why? During the time of World War I in England, young Elsie and Frances are cousins who love to play in the garden. Frances has seen fairies, and Elsie uses her artistic skills to make paper cut-outs of fairies. She places them around Frances and takes a photograph which eventually becomes the famous “evidence” for the existence of the Cottingley fairies. This narrative account of the girls and their hoax that got out of control makes for good reading and is supported wonderfully by the drawings and images from their family archives. I love how the question of the existence of fairies is left open. The photos themselves were a set-up, but Frances stood by her belief that she saw fairies.
The details: 184 pp. 2012 Review by Samrarian
Find it in the CY Library at 398.45 Los
A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Nov.24, 2012, under Battle of the Books 2012-2013, Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Student Reviews
Review by Tyra
A Tale Dark & Grimm is an amazing book. It perfectly combines comedy with horror, and adds in some family drama. It takes the story of Hansel and Gretel, and totally remakes it into something amazing and all it’s own. I would recommend this book to everyone who loves short stories about death and blood, maybe between the ages of 10 to adult. No small children here!
The details: 256 pp. 2011 Review by Tyra D.
A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Oct.23, 2012, under Battle of the Books 2012-2013, Fairy Tale, Horror, Humorous, Student Reviews
Review by Kiahra
Who would like this book? People who like creepy stuff.
Why? Hansel and Gretel get their heads cut off by their father to bring Johannes back from stone. Then, they go to a witches house where they almost get eaten. They find a family they like until they find out the man wished his 7 sons into swallows. They tried to set them free, so Gretel cut off her left middle finger. Hansel was gambled off to the Devil and had to go to Hell. Eventually, Hansel and Gretel find each other and they have to kill a dragon. More to come
The details: 256 pp. 2010 Review by Kiahra
The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Sep.30, 2012, under Fairy Tale, Horror, Student Reviews
Review by Tess
Who would like this book? Everybody who likes to re-write fairy tales.
Why? The first thing you notice about the book is the humor. Every chapter starts with “Prince Charming”. My favorites are; “Prince Charming Needs a Bath”, “Prince Charming Walks Into a Bar”, “Prince Charming Meets a Piece of Wood”, “Prince Charming Misplaces His Bride”, and “Prince Charming Still Has No Idea What is Going on”. The story is of four princes who are all sick and tired of being called Prince Charming. There’s Duncan, Prince of Sylvaria, who married Snow White and got lost on a walk out in the woods; Prince Liam of Erinthia, who was supposed to marry Briar Rose (sleeping beauty), but hated her to much and ran away; Prince Fredric who married Ella (Cinderella), but she ran away because she was bored and he chased after her; and Prince Gustav of Sturmhagen, who tried (and failed) to save Rapunzel. She saved herself from Zaubera, the evil witch, who turned nasty because she was shunned and the victim of false rumors.
The details: 448 pp. 2012 Review by Tess O.
