bv Betsy Cornwell
Summary:
Nicolette has always been gifted mechanically, she inherited it from her mother. But when her mother dies, and her father remarries and then dies leaving her with a stepmother and stepsisters who turn her into their maid she has had to put her abilities aside. On her 16th birthday, she receives a letter showing her how to get into her mother's old workshop. Maybe, just maybe, she'll be able to use her skills to gain a patron who will help her finance her own shop. But first she has to make it to the ball.
Review:
A great twist on Cinderella. Nicolette is a strong independent character. I enjoyed the love story twist and that she ended up stronger than ever at the end-and didn't need a prince to fix her life! Great for younger readers and older. Give to fans of Gail Carson Levine.
Age Level: 7th Grade
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Showing posts with label Fairy Tales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fairy Tales. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Friday, March 13, 2015
Wicked Thing
by Rhiannon Thomas
Summary:
You might think you know the story of Sleeping Beauty, but I bet you never thought of it from Aurora's perspective. Asleep for a hundred years, she's been awoken by 'true love's kiss,' and now is expected to marry him. While she was asleep her kingdom fell to pieces, and the new royal family expect her to conform to their ways and unite the kingdom. But Aurora is done doing what she's told, and is ready to step up and protect her people in her own way.
Review:
An imaginative take on a well known tale, I liked the new Aurora. Rather than meekly doing what she's told she stands up to those around her in her own way. She doesn't just submit or believe what she's told, though she does show a bit too much reliance on Finnegan after disbelieving everyone else. There is a lot of subplots going on in the book that could use more explanation. I thought the ending was a bit too quick, it seemed like there wasn't much segue-way between the novel and the ending, she just kind of decides and everything falls into place. Hopefully the sequel will remedy this!
Genre: Fantasy
Age Level: 7th Grade
Summary:
You might think you know the story of Sleeping Beauty, but I bet you never thought of it from Aurora's perspective. Asleep for a hundred years, she's been awoken by 'true love's kiss,' and now is expected to marry him. While she was asleep her kingdom fell to pieces, and the new royal family expect her to conform to their ways and unite the kingdom. But Aurora is done doing what she's told, and is ready to step up and protect her people in her own way.
Review:
An imaginative take on a well known tale, I liked the new Aurora. Rather than meekly doing what she's told she stands up to those around her in her own way. She doesn't just submit or believe what she's told, though she does show a bit too much reliance on Finnegan after disbelieving everyone else. There is a lot of subplots going on in the book that could use more explanation. I thought the ending was a bit too quick, it seemed like there wasn't much segue-way between the novel and the ending, she just kind of decides and everything falls into place. Hopefully the sequel will remedy this!
Genre: Fantasy
Age Level: 7th Grade
Monday, August 19, 2013
Just Ella
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Summary:
Just Ella is not your average fairy tale story. Picked by Prince Charming out of hundreds of other girls to be his wife, Ella is now living in the palace learning to become a princess. But as the wedding approaches, Ella is finding herself struggling to adapt to palace life. Charming only likes her because she's beautiful. Her instructors want her to remain inside doing nothing but needlepoint. She thought becoming a princess would mean freedom, but instead she's just found herself in another cage. Will she ever be able to lead her own life?
Review:
Haddix's novel is a great book about what happens beyond the fairy tale. In this book Charming is completely spoiled and self absorbed. Ella is treated like a china doll. The fairy godmother thing is revealed to be a hoax, it was just a random set of circumstances that got her to the ball. A good read for young girls who like romance, but who might need a little reminder that there is life after the fairy tale ending.
Genre: Fairy Tale
Age Level: 5th Grade
Summary:
Just Ella is not your average fairy tale story. Picked by Prince Charming out of hundreds of other girls to be his wife, Ella is now living in the palace learning to become a princess. But as the wedding approaches, Ella is finding herself struggling to adapt to palace life. Charming only likes her because she's beautiful. Her instructors want her to remain inside doing nothing but needlepoint. She thought becoming a princess would mean freedom, but instead she's just found herself in another cage. Will she ever be able to lead her own life?
Review:
Haddix's novel is a great book about what happens beyond the fairy tale. In this book Charming is completely spoiled and self absorbed. Ella is treated like a china doll. The fairy godmother thing is revealed to be a hoax, it was just a random set of circumstances that got her to the ball. A good read for young girls who like romance, but who might need a little reminder that there is life after the fairy tale ending.
Genre: Fairy Tale
Age Level: 5th Grade
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
The Sigh
by Marjane Satrapi
Summary:
Rose's father is wonderful in every way. But when he returns from a trip without the present she asked for, she sighs a deep sigh. When a mysterious being called "The Sigh" is summoned by her sigh, he brings her the blue bean she had asked her father for. But his price is high, and Rose will have to live with the consequences.
Review:
The Sigh is an illustrated fairy tale for tweens. The story is very cute, and will appeal to tweens who like fairy tales. Rose falls in love and has to overcome a lot of adversity to find happiness, a storyline that many girls will like. The illustrations are fantastic and add to the story as well. It's a good book for younger tweens.
Genre: Fairy Tale
Age Level: 3rd Grade
Summary:
Rose's father is wonderful in every way. But when he returns from a trip without the present she asked for, she sighs a deep sigh. When a mysterious being called "The Sigh" is summoned by her sigh, he brings her the blue bean she had asked her father for. But his price is high, and Rose will have to live with the consequences.
Review:
The Sigh is an illustrated fairy tale for tweens. The story is very cute, and will appeal to tweens who like fairy tales. Rose falls in love and has to overcome a lot of adversity to find happiness, a storyline that many girls will like. The illustrations are fantastic and add to the story as well. It's a good book for younger tweens.
Genre: Fairy Tale
Age Level: 3rd Grade
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Once Upon a Marigold
By Jean Ferris
Summary:
Christian was raised by a troll in a cave, literally by a troll in a cave. But he can't help but think that one day, maybe, he could meet the beautiful princess he sees every day across the river. Maybe if she knew he existed he could be the thing that makes her happy, since he can't help but notice her immeasurable sadness every time he sees her. With a little help from his stepfather the troll, and a lot of ingenuity, Christian finds a way to finally meet her, but will everything turn out ok?
Review:
Once Upon a Marigold is a charmingly witty fairy tale about an inventive boy with a heart of gold, who wins himself a princess. The book has a few fun twists in it which keep the reader guessing about Christian's true roots and the real motives of the queen. It isn't overly complicated making it ideal for tweens who like princess stories.
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Age Level: 5-6th Grade
Summary:
Christian was raised by a troll in a cave, literally by a troll in a cave. But he can't help but think that one day, maybe, he could meet the beautiful princess he sees every day across the river. Maybe if she knew he existed he could be the thing that makes her happy, since he can't help but notice her immeasurable sadness every time he sees her. With a little help from his stepfather the troll, and a lot of ingenuity, Christian finds a way to finally meet her, but will everything turn out ok?
Review:
Once Upon a Marigold is a charmingly witty fairy tale about an inventive boy with a heart of gold, who wins himself a princess. The book has a few fun twists in it which keep the reader guessing about Christian's true roots and the real motives of the queen. It isn't overly complicated making it ideal for tweens who like princess stories.
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Age Level: 5-6th Grade
The Two Princesses of Bamarre
by Gail Carson Levine
Summary:
Meryl has always been the more adventurous sister. The one who is anxious for adventures, loves sword fighting, and above all is always there to protect her sister Addie from trouble of any sort. But when Meryl falls sick with the plague, it is up to Addie to find the cure that could save her sister. But can Addie, who has never even had to get rid of a spider, face ogres or dragons or worse? Will she succeed in saving her sister, or will she end up dead too?
Review:
Gail Carson Levine is well known for her entertaining and feel good princess stories, and The Two Princesses of Bamarre does not disappoint. The story is well written, though predictable, with characters which will draw in girl tweens with their determination to be better than they are. The book even has a love story in it, making it a great choice for any princess tale loving girl.
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Age: 6-7th Grade
Summary:
Meryl has always been the more adventurous sister. The one who is anxious for adventures, loves sword fighting, and above all is always there to protect her sister Addie from trouble of any sort. But when Meryl falls sick with the plague, it is up to Addie to find the cure that could save her sister. But can Addie, who has never even had to get rid of a spider, face ogres or dragons or worse? Will she succeed in saving her sister, or will she end up dead too?
Review:
Gail Carson Levine is well known for her entertaining and feel good princess stories, and The Two Princesses of Bamarre does not disappoint. The story is well written, though predictable, with characters which will draw in girl tweens with their determination to be better than they are. The book even has a love story in it, making it a great choice for any princess tale loving girl.
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Age: 6-7th Grade
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Princess of the Midnight Ball
by Jessica Day George
Summary:
There is a mystery in the palace in Westfalin. A mystery that no one has been able to solve. Though the twelve princesses are locked in their room every night, they manage to wear out their dancing slippers every third night without fail. Galen has served his country during it's long war, but now he has returned and is working in the palace gardens. As he meets and falls in love with the eldest princess, he realizes that he is the only one who might be able to discover the secret that the princesses keep. But will he be able to discover it before the princesses are ruined by the whispers of witchcraft and murder which surround them?
Review:
The Princess of the Midnight Ball is an entertaining retelling of the Grimm Brothers Twelve Princesses fairy tale. It is a quick read, but manages to be entertaining without being too silly, combines a love story with heroism, and pits good against evil. The book will be appealing to tweens of all ages who like a romantic but adventurous tale.
Genre: Fairy Tale
Age Level: 7th-8th Grade
Summary:
There is a mystery in the palace in Westfalin. A mystery that no one has been able to solve. Though the twelve princesses are locked in their room every night, they manage to wear out their dancing slippers every third night without fail. Galen has served his country during it's long war, but now he has returned and is working in the palace gardens. As he meets and falls in love with the eldest princess, he realizes that he is the only one who might be able to discover the secret that the princesses keep. But will he be able to discover it before the princesses are ruined by the whispers of witchcraft and murder which surround them?
Review:
The Princess of the Midnight Ball is an entertaining retelling of the Grimm Brothers Twelve Princesses fairy tale. It is a quick read, but manages to be entertaining without being too silly, combines a love story with heroism, and pits good against evil. The book will be appealing to tweens of all ages who like a romantic but adventurous tale.
Genre: Fairy Tale
Age Level: 7th-8th Grade
Thursday, January 19, 2012
A Kiss in Time
by Alex Flinn
Summary:
We've all heard the story about Sleeping Beauty, right? But maybe we haven't heard the real story. Maybe it is less of a fairy tale and more the real thing. Maybe the entire kingdom is still sleeping, waiting for the princess to get true love's kiss. At first Jack though he had stumbled upon some sort of weird theme park, one where everyone is sleeping, but when he can't resist kissing one girl, he comes to find out that maybe fairy tale's are more real than we think.
Review:
A Kiss in Time is a fluffy, fun fairy tale. The book takes a lot of leaps which are hard to identify with-beyond the typical fantasy stuff, like the fact that Jack knows where to get a fake passport and that the Princess has no problems adjusting to 21st century life. But overall the theme of the book is love, and it adequately addresses it. Definitely a great read for girls who liked Ella Enchanted or similar.
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Age Level: 7th-8th Grade
Summary:
We've all heard the story about Sleeping Beauty, right? But maybe we haven't heard the real story. Maybe it is less of a fairy tale and more the real thing. Maybe the entire kingdom is still sleeping, waiting for the princess to get true love's kiss. At first Jack though he had stumbled upon some sort of weird theme park, one where everyone is sleeping, but when he can't resist kissing one girl, he comes to find out that maybe fairy tale's are more real than we think.
Review:
A Kiss in Time is a fluffy, fun fairy tale. The book takes a lot of leaps which are hard to identify with-beyond the typical fantasy stuff, like the fact that Jack knows where to get a fake passport and that the Princess has no problems adjusting to 21st century life. But overall the theme of the book is love, and it adequately addresses it. Definitely a great read for girls who liked Ella Enchanted or similar.
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Age Level: 7th-8th Grade
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Cloaked
By Alex Flinn
A novel which combines several lesser told fairy tales with modern life. The novel tells the story of Johnny, a shoemaker in South Florida, who takes on a quest from Princess Victoriana to find her brother who has been turned into a frog. If he finds him he gets to marry the princess. Along the way he discovers that maybe marrying a princess isn't what he wants, but the girl he has always known might be.
The book is a great read for teens who like modern romance with a hint of fantasy to it. The writing is simple but the story is well developed. It's also fun to see how Flinn weaves in a variety of fairy tales into one story.
A novel which combines several lesser told fairy tales with modern life. The novel tells the story of Johnny, a shoemaker in South Florida, who takes on a quest from Princess Victoriana to find her brother who has been turned into a frog. If he finds him he gets to marry the princess. Along the way he discovers that maybe marrying a princess isn't what he wants, but the girl he has always known might be.
The book is a great read for teens who like modern romance with a hint of fantasy to it. The writing is simple but the story is well developed. It's also fun to see how Flinn weaves in a variety of fairy tales into one story.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Ella Enchanted
Ella Enchanted
Author: Gail Carson Levine
Publisher: New York : HarperCollinsPublishers, c1997
Plot Description:
Ella is an obedient child. Not because she wants to be, but because she HAS to be. Under a spell since she was born, she has no choice but to obey any command put to her, whether it’s putting her dish away or chopping off her own head. This book is the story of how Ella lives with her curse, and how her realization that some curses can be broken, you just have to have the right motivation.
Review:
A book about fairy tales, growing up, and making sacrifices to protect the ones you love. Ella Enchanted is a fantastic book about the pains of doing things you must, and making choices in order to live your life. Ella is a intelligent and strong young woman who undertakes a quest to break herself of the curse of obedience, rather than waiting around for someone to do it for her. Along the way she finds friends who are there to help her, and meets a Prince who would do anything to marry her. She learns that it takes true character to sacrifice her own happiness for the ones she loves, and what it takes to break a curse.
Genre: Fantasy
Reading level: 7th Grade
Similar Books: Ever, Caddie Woodlawn
Reader’s Advisory:
Personal thoughts- A great fantasy book with a love story for any girl
Subjects/themes- Fiction, Fantasy, Love Stories, Fairy Tale
Awards- Newberry Honor Book, 1998.
Character names/descriptions-
Ella- Cursed with obedience, headstrong and ready for adventure
Char- The prince who falls in love with Ella, and is willing to do anything for her
Mandy- Ella’s nursemaid since childhood, and her fairy godmother
Lucinda- The fairy who gave Ella her blessing/curse!
Annotation: What would you do to get rid of a curse that made you obey every command you were ever given?
Sunday, January 30, 2011
The Tale of Despereaux
The Tale of Despereaux
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Publisher: Cambridge, Mass. : Candlewick Press, 2003.
Plot Description:
The Tale of Despereaux is the story of a tiny, big-eared mouse who was born with bigger dreams than just being a regular mouse. He doesn’t want to do regular mouse activities, but instead wants to listen to music and be with his true love, the Princess Pea. Unfortunately, the other mice can’t understand his desires, and banish him to the dungeon. It is here he becomes entangled in Roscuro the rat’s evil plan to punish the Princess for a chain of events that banished him forever to the basement and must find the courage he has lacked to save her.
Review:
This book is a great take on a fairy tale. The book is very well written, and introduces a lot of new vocabulary to younger readers. Its narrative engages the reader and encourages them to try to understand the background and reasons behind each characters actions. It is a fun story about courage and how our actions have consequences beyond what we might imagine.
Genre: Fantasy
Reading level: 5-6th Grade
Reader’s Advisory:
Personal thoughts- A fun adventure filled read
Subjects/themes- Adventure, Fairy Tales, Mice, Courage
Awards- 2004 Newberry Medal
Character names/descriptions-
Dexpereaux Tilling- a tiny big eared mouse who falls in love with the Princess Pea and has to save her
Princess Pea- the beautiful princess of the kingdom
Roscuro- a rat who wanted to live in light, but his search for it creates the tragedy that leads to the adventures of Despereaux
Miggery Sow- a young girl who wants to be a princess, and is led astray by Roscuro
Annotation: The story of how one small mouse battled enormous odds to save his true love.
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