Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
September heads for underworld in stunning Fairyland sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
As September, heroine of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, turns 13, World War II goes on, her father is still fighting in France, her mother still works long days in the aircraft factory, and the girls at school have become even meaner. When at long last she gets to return to Fairyland, she finds things much changed, mostly because of a lifesaving but fateful choice she made in the first book. The Fairyland she knows and the people in it are rapidly losing their magic because something is spiriting their shadows to Fairyland-Below. Determined to right this wrong, September heads for Fairyland-Below, where she meets some old friends -- or at least their shadows -- and many new challenges.
Is It Any Good?
This is a real stunner, a tour de force of imagination and heart with plenty to offer kids and adults, a compelling story, and characters who stick with you long after the last page has been turned. (Good news: Next book in the series is due in October 2013.)
Catherynne M. Valente's writing style is ornately descriptive and gleefully verbose, which might have been a disaster but instead brings lots of unexpected delights with its constant barrage of fanciful characters, comedy, and wise remarks. Ana Juan's illustrations are dark, often funny, and add more dimension to the characters.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the world of Fairyland-Below. How does it compare with other fantasy worlds you've read about or seen in movies?
What do you know about rationing that happened during World War II? How would your life change if food and gasoline and other essentials of daily life were rationed?
If your shadow was a real person, what would he or she be like? Do you think you'd get along?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Ana Juan
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic , Fairy Tales ) , Adventures , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Feiwel and Friends
- Publication date : October 2, 2012
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 13
- Number of pages : 272
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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