Bozarth gently melds magic, family history and self-determination in this multilayered debut, first in the Fairy Godmother Academy series. Sarah Cramer Bright (nicknamed "Birdie" for her redbird-colored hair) has been uprooted from California to New York, but it's not all bad news: she now has the opportunity to reconnect with her enigmatic Granny Mo. Birdie takes the reader along as her companion and confidante, sharing her love and knowledge of plants as she ventures into her grandmother's extensive and mysterious gardens. While resting near a waterfall, Birdie dreams herself into the fairy land of Aventurine, "a land for only the strongest dreamers.... Dreamers with destinies." But Aventurine is more than a dreamâif Birdie and her guide, Kerka, can complete their quest to find the missing piece of the Singing Stone, Birdie can become a Fairy-Godmother-in-Training and have magic in her world "that can make a difference, not just to people, but also to the world itself." Bozarth crafts an alluring world that encourages lingering and further visits. Although conceived as part of an online experience, this novel is strong enough to stand by itself. Ages 8â12.
September 1, 2009
Gr 4-6-Shortly after her family moves from California to New York, 12-year-old Birdie decides that it is time to meet her maternal grandmother, from whom her mother has been estranged. Granny Mo turns out to be a warm and wonderful person who shares the child's love of plants. And as it turns out, they also share a deep family connection with the fairy world, called Aventurine. After Birdie inadvertently travels there, she meets Kerka, and together the girls attempt to rid an ancient and powerful tree of a life-destroying blight. Aventurine is filled with glamorous but uninteresting fairies, lovely scents, and flowers, and a magic wardrobe filled with the most fabulous clothes ever. Birdie's adventures here are uninspired and seem influenced by the online social network that is being marketed as the companion to this series opener. Rather, it is Birdie's growing relationship with her grandmother, her worries about her new life in New York, and her love of plants that ring most true and are the most enjoyable to read about, even if these sections are slower paced. Of possible interest to undemanding fairy fans."Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library"
Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
January 1, 2010
In these series openers (complete with Internet tie-ins), Birdie and Kerka, respectively, learn they come from long lines of fairy godmothers. Each girl must travel to the fairy world Aventurine and successfully complete a quest that will help mend the fissures in their families. Magical creatures, including river maidens and elves, and special abilities aid the plucky girls in their bland adventures.
(Copyright 2010 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)