“MY VERY UNFAIRY TALE LIFE,” by Anna Staniszewski, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, Nov. 1, 2011, $6.99 (ages 9 and up)
Fairy tales aren’t all they’re cracked up to be — at least not for Jenny. She’s an official adventurer who sees very little of sparkles and butterflies.
As an official adventurer, Jenny has been tasked with traveling across enchanted kingdoms, saving magical creatures and fighting horrible beasts. And, in case you were wondering, unicorns are only pretty to look at; they’re a giant pain in the butt when you want to keep them from fighting over a rainbow of all things.
All Jenny wants is to be a normal girl. If she had had any idea of what being an official adventurer was really like, she never would have signed up three years ago. Of course, when she first started, adventuring was the most fun she’d ever had. But now, jenny’s starting to realize what she’s missing out on — a social life, friends, going to school.
It’s time to start being a normal girl. But when Jenny is sent on yet another mission — supposedly her last— she has a tough choice to make: quit and have her normal life back, or fulfill her promise and go into a battle she doesn’t think she can win.
In “My Very UnFairy Tale Life,” Anna Staniszewski has created a magical world of unicorns, fairies and dragons. But she doesn’t stop there. Talking frogs, a kidnapped lamb and a garden gnome guide help round out a cast of unexpected but beautifully believable characters.
Jenny is the epitome of a plucky heroine — she’s engaging and witty with an adventurous spirit and just the right mix of imagination and independence. By making Jenny the narrator, Anna has not only put readers right in Jenny’s shoes, but has also given them their own adventure.
Part of the genius behind Anna’s premise is that middle readers who like and middle readers who don’t like traditional fairy tales will both enjoy it. It’s a great middle ground that celebrates the spirit of fairy tales while turning them on their heads.
If your middle reader is looking for a fast-paced and humorous read, this quirky book is a great option.
