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My Very UnFairy Tale Life
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A humorous tale where a bold and spunky girl ends up the one saving "Prince Charming"
You know all those stories that claim fairies cry sparkle tears and elves travel by rainbow? They're lies. All lies.
I've spent my life as an official adventurer. I travel across enchanted kingdoms saving magical creatures and fighting horrible beasts that most of you think are only myths and legends. I've never had a social life. My friends have all forgotten me. And let's not even talk about trying to do my homework. So—I'm done!! I'm tired and I want to go back to being a normal girl. But then along comes "Prince Charming" asking for help, and, well, what's a tired girl like me supposed to do?
"Jenny is an adventurer I'd definitely want in my corner if my life ever took a wrong turn from Happily Ever After."—Hélène Boudreau, author of Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings
"Readers will laugh their way through the ups and downs of Jenny's many (mis)adventures."—Jennifer A. Nielsen, author of Elliot and the Goblin War
Product Details
- Paperback
- Case Count: 12
- Age range: 9-12
- Series: My Very UnFairy Tale Life , Book 1
If your middle reader is looking for a fast-paced and humorous read, this quirky book is a great option." — Cracking The Cover
You know all those stories that have fairy godmothers coming into change the lives of ordinary girls? Well this is that in reverse. Jenny is an ordinary girl sent to help change the lives of magical creatures. Instead of being armed with a magic wand, Jenny relies on a repertoire of cheesy cliches to make a difference. Sure sometimes baby dragons try to burn her head off and unicorns charge after her, but that's all part of the fun. Except Jenny is not having much fun. She is in middle school and she wants a life and normal friends. Instead she gets a candy addict gnome guide and an old adventurer who keeps an eye on her. When faced with a saving a kingdom being terrorized by an evil magical clown who tortures prisoners by making them appear in his circus, Jenny decides she can't take it anymore. But normal is not what Jenny expected and she has to consider that maybe adventuring is what she was born to do.
Jenny is an engaging and witty narrator. She is imaginative and adventurous, the sort of girl who dresses up as Indiana Jones for Halloween and releases a jar of spiders into her Kindergarten class so she can "rescue" her classmates. While she does complain quite a bit about her lot in life you can't help but agree that she is being sorely used and mistreated by the mysterious committee who gives her assignments. And Anthony her guide does seem pretty heartless at times. Jenny's voice is pitched perfectly for the book's intended audience and her magical problems reflect the real world problems that 9-12 year olds face every day. There are couple of plot points that aren't really explained or wrapped up well (the disappearance of Jenny's parents, the mysterious committee) and this left me feeling like something was missing.
If you have a young girl in your life who has a spirit of adventure, enjoys fantasy, plucky heroines, and a bit of silly this is the perfect book to put in their hands." — Random Musings of a Bibliophile
I think this book had everything a mid grade novel should have! A lovable main character who learns a lesson (the grass isn't always greener on the otherside) and spouts off good sayings (treat others as you would like to be treated) and learns to accept friends for who they are. (With a lesson on not telling lies thrown in there as well.)
But all those good lessons are masked by a great story! Anna Staniszewski did a wonderful job of creating a new world, as well as the characters that inhabit the world where Jenny is employed as an Adventurer! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun mid-grade book! " — For Love and Books
***
There are lots of things to love about this middle grade book. First, it has a feisty and opinionated protagonist—I mean, c'mon people, she fights unicorns. And strange talking magical creatures. Second, she's a golfer. Well, mini-golfer. But still. It's a fun read—perfect for your middle-grader who's sick and tired of the traditional fairy tale. Or not!
Anna Staniszewski is getting fabulous reviews for her debut novel — I would suggest that perhaps it's a great holiday gift for your favorite middle grader.
And if anyone is interested in meeting Anna, she's doing some appearances for her book—I think I'll be going on November 18 to the Barnes and Noble in Burlington, MA." — Kristine Carlson Asselin