Chrysanthemum Everstar is in training to become a fairy godmother. At the moment she is only considered a “fair” godmother. To raise her semester grade she has to take on an extra credit assignment to “use magic to grant wishes, make mortals happy, and rescue them from their dreary lives,” then write a report about it.
Her assignment involves two subjects. Subject one is Jane Delano, a senior in high school. Subject two is Jane's sister, Savannah, a sophomore. Being academically minded and organized doesn't describe Savannah Delano, but it does describe her older sister Jane. There is one phrase, though, that Savannah never thought would describe her sister — “boyfriend stealer.” But that's exactly what she is and, understandably, Savannah is angry at her sister Jane, and her ex-boyfriend, Hunter.
Jane tries to get Savannah to consider other boys who would be more suited to her, not someone like Hunter who is very academic and driven. Jane even goes as far as suggesting she go to the prom with Tristan Hawkins, a boy who doesn't have a date for prom.
It's no surprise that Savannah does not appreciate her sister trying to set her up with a date and, as a result she stomps off to her room, wishing that somewhere she could find a Prince Charming to take her to prom.
With that thought, into her room poofs Chrysanthemum, her fair godmother, complete with incandescent wings, a magic wand, and unconventionally dressed like a rock star, ready to grant Savannah three wishes. Without thinking, Savannah begins to explain how she wished her life was like a fairytale, with a handsome prince waiting for her at the ball and that everything would work out happily ever after. The next thing Savannah knows she's transported back in time and becomes — Cinderella.
After Savannah figures out what has happened, she is caught up in the reality that she has a wicked stepmother and stepsisters and is expected to do more chores than are humanly possible. Luckily, Chysanthemum soon responds to Savannahs's cry for help. Relieved, Savannah thinks she's on her way back home. As Savannah explains that even though she liked the idea of having a prince charming, she would much prefer someone who was nice and kind. Before she can finish, Chyrsanthemum assumes she knows exactly what Savannah wants, and changes her into — Snow White.
Being in this fairy tale is no better, and after some trouble with the seven dwarfs Savannah manages to summon Chrysanthemum's help in the nick of time. After explaining that she just wants someone who likes her for who she is and isn't just handsome, but also smart, Savannah and Chysanthemum arrive back in Savannah 's room.
One of the first things Savannah notices is that she is able to see clearly without her contacts. Chysanthemum tells her that one of the side effects of magic is that after people live through a couple of wishes they almost always see things more clearly. Savannah acknowledges that she has learned a great deal plus her appreciation for her surroundings and all the modern conveniences has greatly increased.
Thinking that all is back to normal, she is shocked to learn that Tristan has suddenly gone missing, having mysteriously disappeared from his room in his house, without a trace. His parents have frantically been looking for him.
Savannah panics. She knows Tristan isn't the type to just run away like that. Immediately she tries to contact her fair godmother again. When Chrysanthemum shows up she tells Savannah that Tristan was sent into the Middle Ages to become a prince, according to her wishes.
Chrysanthemum disappears and Savannah learns that she has a chance to go back to the Middle Ages to oversee Tristan's progress to make her wish come true. But this time she goes back prepared for the experience by taking spices, jewelry, perfume and other items that she can barter and trade for needed goods.
When she meets up with Tristan he is far from happy to see her, especially when she tells him she didn't come to save him, but to help him fulfill the requirements of the wish by helping him become a prince, because this is the only way to undo a spell.
With both of them in the Middle Ages an adventure ensues — filled with dragon-slaying, ogre decapitating, potions, spells, twists and turns.
Janette Rallison is an award winning and beloved Young Adult author and national best-seller. My Fair Godmother is a fairytale romp that is fast-paced and fun. The characters are quirky and entertaining and the setting is enchanting. As always Rallison infuses humor and witty dialogue into a plot filled with drama, emotion and fun-filled fantasy.
The story is clever and creative while at the same time unpredictable and quite involved. At times I got confused about the spells and potions and the rules surrounding them. I also wanted to expand the fairy/mortal interaction with a little more explanation as to why Savannah was chosen to have a fair godmother and if fairies interacted with mortals very often. I realized the story is fantasy, but it would have made it even that much more believable for me. Still, none of this took away from the magical fun of this story and I enjoyed every page!
My Fair Godmother, which is due to be released on January 9, 2009, is one of Rallison's finest works and young girls will enjoy the fairytale story and even find themselves daydreaming about their own fairytale wishes. Word of warning though, watch out for those fair godmothers!
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Category: Children's picture book
Title: The Littlest Nephite in Nephi and the Brass Plates
Author: Bevan Olsen
Illustrated by: Rebecca Miller
Reviewed by: Michele Ashman Bell
Through the eyes of a small, three-foot-nine Nephite, we are told the story of Lehi and his family as they leave Jerusalem . With vivid illustrations and the story told in rhyme, children will learn about the faith promoting experience of Nephi and his brothers going back to Jerusalem for the brass plates.
Children will enjoy the verses and the colorful pictures that help illustrate the events of this great Book of Mormon story.