Quick review before I'm on the clock and rushing to get ready for children's poetry recital practice today . . .

Yesterday I got a promo copy of Cyn Balog's debut "Fairy Tale" from our system youth services department. And less than 24 hours later, I've already devoured it!



Why it's so good:

It's a humorous fairy story. There is some good old-fashioned brooding and fairy lore, but the thing I like best about this book is how funny it is compared to a lot of the fairy books out there. (And this is coming from someone who counts "Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell" among her favorites.)

Morgan, the main character, comes across as so very fifteen in this story. Not quite a woman, but not a kid any more either. And I do believe there is a world of difference between fifteen and sixteen, and I feel like the author really captures that time of transition.

The side characters. From Morgan's parents to her best friend Eden to her boyfriend Cam to the strange new kid Pip, I liked everybody in the story.

This is definitely going to be one of my frequently displayed/impromptu booktalk books when I'm on teen room duty from now on. I love it! Thanks for writing such a great book, Cyn, and I look forward to reading your second, and third, and fourth . . . :)