Magicalamity

Gr 4–6—This funny, outrageous romp through fairyland has it all: spies, secret organizations, fairy godmothers, flying carpets, and magic. Tom Harding is under the mistaken impression that he is a normal 11-year-old, until the day that his parents disappear and he finds a bumbling fairy in his kitchen, making eggs for breakfast. It turns out that she is one of his three fairy godmothers, his father is a fairy in mortal danger, his mother has been hidden in a jar of sun-dried tomatoes, and he is a demisprite, a persona non grata in the fairy kingdom. Despite this, it is clear to Tom that he will have to save his parents from the fury of the ruling Falconer family. With the help of his fairy godmothers and Pindar, a renegade Falconer, he uses his determination, courage, and clear-sightedness to bring the story to a satisfying resolution. Children who prefer their fantasy lighthearted will love this action-packed adventure, brimming with sly humor and clever asides, such as the Realm Wide Web with the Abracadabra browser. This book should fly off the shelves, with or without a magic carpet.—Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City