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Parents' Guide to

Fairest

By Pam Gelman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Handmaid to queen discovers true beauty in charming fantasy.

Book Gail Carson Levine Fairy Tale 2006
Fairest Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 4 parent reviews

indie_q
indie_q Adult
February 1, 2015
age 8+

Fascinating Journey of finding true beauty.

Aza is young girl who is very different from the rest of the people in her kingdom. She lives with her family in a small inn they run. One day she receives the pleasure of becoming a substitute lady in waiting and attends the wedding of the king. Aza is ashamed she is not a beauty like the rest but its her dream. Throughout her journey she meets loyal friends but also deceitful people who plan on causing horrid things to Aza. In the books Aza struggles against the public over her appearance and the way she isn't like rest and isn't really accepted. A theme the books really tries to convey is it doesn't matter how we look in the outside,but how we are in the inside. As Aza discovers that for herself . In my opinion I think its really messed up of them for discriminating Aza because she's different . It's a wonderful book though ,that keeps you content and fills your head to imagine colorful or elegant things. I would recommend this to a parent ,teacher or a friend.
lollipop7720231
lollipop7720231 Adult
November 3, 2011
age 11+

Fairest

it will teach kids on it to judge people by how they look just whats on the inside!
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Left as a baby, Aza is found by a loving innkeeper and wife who raise her as their own. She grows up to be large and not pretty, causing her shame and low self-esteem. But, she is kind and has a gift for song, making curious guests drawn to her, including a wise gnome and a duchess. She is invited to the castle as the handmaid for the king's wedding to a mysterious young woman from another land. This new queen befriends Aza and learns of Aza's gift of song and the ability to "illuse": to mimic any voice and throw it so it appears that someone else is singing. The queen threatens to harm Aza's family unless Aza illuses a voice for her at the kingdom Sings. The prince also is intrigued by Aza, and much to Aza's pleasant surprise they develop a friendship. Aza learns that the queen has been given beauty through a magical mirror from the Fairy Lucinda, the same one in the book Ella Enchanted. A creature lives in the mirror, giving the queen poor advice on running the kingdom while the king is ill. Aza's illusing is soon revealed but not before she goes to the mirror and asks for beauty. With physical beauty, the problems begin for Aza, including imprisonment and a run-in with a poison apple.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4 ):
Kids say (32 ):

Author Gail Carson Levine has mastered the art of twisting fantasy and creating interesting characters that are likable and somehow relatable to today's kids. Aza is smart, competent, and gifted in song, a highly honored and valuable means of communication in this society. She also can illuse. This skill becomes the tool for the newly married, beautiful young queen to win the hearts of the kingdom.

And so follows a story with adventure, love, and fantasy with a thread common to the tale Sleeping Beauty and a lesson about recognizing what true beauty is.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why Aza is a good and kind person worth rooting for. Is it because she grows up in a house of love and respect?

  • How is Fairest different form other princess stories? Why do you think princess stories remain popular in modern culture?

  • Can you relate to Aza's feelings about herself and how others judge her? How did it feel as a reader to hear Aza's description of herself as a "blemish" or others calling her an "ogre"? Does this make you feel differently about first impressions and judging others?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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