by Catherynne M. Valente
Flap Copy Description:
September is a girl who longs for adventure. When she is invited to Fairyland by a Green Wind and a Leopard, well, of course she accepts. (Mightn't you?) But Fairyland is in turmoil, and it will take one twelve-year-old girl, a book-loving dragon, and a strange and almost human boy named Saturday to vanquish an evil Marquess and restore order.
My Thoughts:
The unusual title of this upper MG novel is just the beginning of the unique features of Catherynne M. Valente's debut children's book. The award-winning novelist was honored once again when The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making became the first self-published work to win a major literary award by receiving the Andre Norton Award. It went into print in 2011 and went on to become a national bestseller. The whimsical fairy tale is full of wonderful words, complex characters, and a plot that puzzles you at every turn. Neil Gaiman gave this tantalizing tale the following praise: "A glorious balancing act between modernism and the Victorian fairy tale, done with heart and wisdom." The author has written her colorful creation to stand alone, but reveals to the reader in the last chapter there will be a sequel, satisfying her legion of fans. Although I loved this book, I do feel some of the vocabulary might be a bit advanced for the young reader; therefore, I would highly recommend The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making to readers aged ten and up.
To learn more about the author - Catherynne M. Valente -
click here: http://www.catherynnemvalente.com/novels/fairyland/
