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Showing posts with the label fairy-ly twisted

The Flight of Swans by Sarah McGuire - ESSENTIAL

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The Flight of Swans by Sarah McGuire , 437 pages. Carolrhoda (Lerner), 2018. $19. Language: G; Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS- ESSENTIAL AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH The princess Andaryn despises her stepmother, a beautiful enchantress. Ryn’s love for her captivated father and the kingdom propel her into high adventure as she uses all her intelligence and strength to rescue her brothers, turned into swans for six years, while she must remain mute to all or they die. She uses all her creativity to hide from those who seek her and her brothers harm while communicating with the outside world without words. As the years progress, Ryn grows into a mature woman full of wisdom. As the end of the six years draws to a close, Ryn must find the way to defeat the enchantress and return her family safely to their throne. Sarah McGuire penned a delightful narrative of the Grimm Brothers, “Six Swans”. The fantasy world created in this story is clear and the adventure absorbs the r

Grump by Liesl Shurtliff - ADVISABLE

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Grump: The (Fairly) True Tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves by Liesl Shurtliff , 295 pages.  Alfred A. Knopf (Random House), 2018.  $17.   Content: Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG.   BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ADVISABLE   AUDIENCE APPEAL:  AVERAGE   Borlen has always been drawn to the surface, unlike other dwarves who like to burrow deep into the earth’s surface.  Borlen always feels like a black sheep among other dwarves and it becomes more evident as he starts to work with a crew of miners, so when Borlen gets a chance to go to the surface he takes it.  Although there have been many warnings about the dangers of humans, Borlen is befriended by a queen who values his take on her kingdom.  As their friendship grows, however, Borlen realizes that the queen is wicked and he needs to try and keep other’s safe, even if the queen has an unforeseen power over him.   I enjoyed this fun twist on Snow White.  Grump is an endearing character and to take the story from his persp

Brooklyn House Magician's Guide by Rick Riordan - ESSENTIAL

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Brooklyn House Magician's Guide (Kane Chronicles) by Rick Riordan , 185 pgs, Disney Hyperion, $9.99  Language: G(0 swears, 0 “F”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G;  BUYING ADVISORY:  EL, MS - ESSENTIAL AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH Enter the fantastical realm of Egyptian mythology with Carter Kane and the magicians at Brooklyn House. Quizzes, stories and more about the Egyptian deities will prepare you for what is to come in the dangerous times ahead. I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun way to look at things considering I have read the Kane Chronicles series itself.  Student Reviewer: Julia M.(10th grade)

Mother Knows Best by Serena Valentino - OPTIONAL

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Mother Knows Best (Villains, #5) by Serena Valentino, 390 pages.  Disney Press, 2018.  $18.   Content: Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13.   BUYING ADVISORY: MS – OPTIONAL   AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE    Gothel and her two sisters are witches and when Gothel’s mother tells her that they have to accept drinking her blood to gain power, Gothel wants to do it.  Gothel’s sisters aren’t as excited about the idea of being tied together forever, and know that Gothel is the darkest of them, but they love her and decide to do as she wants.  When Gothel’s mother is trying to get them to drink the blood, she goes to far and almost kills Gothel’s beloved sister.  In return, Gothel curses her mother and kills her.  Soon it becomes evident that the blood is making her sisters ill, so Gothel tries to use the Rapunzel flower her mother left behind to heal her sisters, but she is soon tricked by three sister witches.   This series is frustrating because the covers are fantastic and make y