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The Fairy Godmother Academy #1: Birdie's Book

(2009, Fiction - Fairy Tale, Written by Jan Bozarth, Andrea Burden)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Delightful, exciting adventure for girls who love fantasy.

Themes in this book include:   family relationships, friendship, growing up

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Readers will learn more about plant life. The title character has a love of plants, and often describes the scientific name of plants. It's a great companion to kids who like gardening or biological science.

  • Messages:

    The novel has great positive messages on friendship, the importance of family relationships, and perseverance, as well as lessons about trusting and believing in yourself.

  • Role models:

    There are several positive role models, including adults, who are open, kind, and attentive to the children. The children themselves offer positive examples of what it means to be a friend and to have courage.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    There are some scary situations, including fights with plants that attack and vicious balls of light, but most of it is quite mild.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    While there isn't a lot of consumerism in the novel itself, the media campaign surrounding the book is a bit heavy. The book comes with a trading card and has a Web site where reader can log on and chose their own adventure, dress up their fictional character, and more. The marketing behind the book has the potential to go viral, so parents should be prepared to be a part of the Adventurine world for a while.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Fairy Godmother Academy #1: Birdie's Book

Parents need to know that there are some scary incidents, including a girl falling from high in the air, girls being attacked by plants, and girls being chased by a large sea creature. Also, a child has a rocky relationship with a parent.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how to settle family disputes. Come up with some creative ideas: a talking stick, family meeting, etc., that will help your family resolve issues.
  • How can you be a good friend? Birdie and Kerka don't always get along, but true friends work through their problems. Can you point out examples of Birdie being a good friend? What about Kerka?
  • How do you overcome obstacles? Birdie had to push past many of her fears before she could try to reunite her family. What are some fears that are keeping you away from your goals? What steps can you take to overcome them?
Tools and tips that can help

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