Once Upon Another Time
Parents say
Based on 1 review
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Once Upon Another Time is the first book in a planned trilogy set in the world James Riley (Story Thieves) created for his Half Upon a Time series, which is a zany reinvention of the "Jack in the Beanstalk" tale. As a snarkily kibitzing character points out frequently, you may be a bit lost here and there in this book if you're not familiar with the original series (helpfully mentioned by name). But the story of 12-year-old giant Lena, who's struggling for acceptance as a giant despite being human size, and Jinn, a self-absorbed young genie enslaved by King Midas, is fast-moving, wacky, and typical of Riley's reinvented fairy tales. There's heart, humor, and a warehouse full of kitchen sinks in the random plot developments; also swordplay, curses, battle wounds, magical coercion, and the overhanging theme that things have been very, very strange ever since that giant perished in pursuit of Jack and cosmic conflict ensued.
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What's the Story?
ONCE UPON ANOTHER TIME in the world where the "Jack and the Beanstalk" story changed everything, 12-year-old Lena is a giant with a problem: She's human size, which is bad in a world where giants hate humans thanks to Jack. Refusing to accept this rejection, she and her giant cat Rufus are soon off on a quest that will take them to the human world (where she has a number of friends, all fairy tale and nursery rhyme characters). Meanwhile Jin, a young genie, is being held captive by King Midas and forced to wreak assorted havoc on the king's rivals, and is determined to escape, whatever it takes. Very little goes according to plan, as a wild ride and a shaky friendship develop.
Is It Any Good?
James Riley's zany series start once again puts reinvented fairy tale and nursery rhyme characters in increasingly wild situations with lots of snarky commentary. Featuring the adventures of a 12-year-old mini-giant and a tween genie, Once Upon Another Time is set in the world of the author's Half Upon a Time series, and frequently promotes it, to the point where both characters and readers are advised to read it first. It's a fun read with a cliffhanger ending setting up further adventures and suggesting new possibilities.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Once Upon Another Time takes a well-known fairy tale and turns it and its characters into something completely different. What other stories do you know that do this well? What do you like about their version?
Have you ever had people refuse to take you seriously because of the way you looked? How did you deal with it?
Why do you think genies -- and their wish-granting abilities -- are such a popular storytelling theme? What stories do you know where it all goes well? What happens when people don't choose wisely?
Book Details
- Author: James Riley
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Book Characters, Friendship
- Character Strengths: Courage, Perseverance
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Aladdin
- Publication date: April 5, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 336
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: May 10, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom
Engaging fairy tale spoof is clever and funny.
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A Tale of Magic, Book 1
Imaginative, lively tale launches Land of Stories prequels.
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The Counterclockwise Heart
Imaginative, action-packed fantasy in medieval-type setting.
For kids who love fantasy and fairy tales
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