Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Inventive, chaotic, and mildly dark fae school series start.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THE GRAVEYARD GIFT: FERN'S SCHOOL FOR WAYWARD FAE poor Rosemary is being sent to a hospital by her mother after years of worrisome behavior. What other kid can accurately predict when someone will die, and who wants to know that kind of thing? On the way to the hospital, though, Rosemary is intercepted by Fern, the fairy narrator, and sent to her school in the Nowhere Realm. Rosemary quickly learns that she's demifae—half fae, half human—and that her powers were given to her by a fae father she never met. Rosemary likes the sense of belonging at her new school, but finds her roommate Trym too prickly. It's because of Trym's nightly, deadly banshee screams that everyone in the school wears earplugs to bed, and because of these screams that Rosemary wanders the halls far into the night. This is how she befriends Essie, a genie who stays up late granting humans' wishes.
Is It Any Good?
The start to this demifae series is certainly inventive, but it encompasses too many fairy-like qualities: it flits all over the place and lacks sincerity and clear purpose. The mystery surrounding Fern Forgettable is quite fun. Her narration adds a cheekiness that would have been welcome throughout, but drops off early. Perhaps Fern could have also explained more about the danger to students in the Nowhere Realm and more about the skills they acquire navigating between the human and fae realms. Instead we're off meeting too many students too quickly and visiting exotic fae realm animals and Rosemary's tutor who wears lots of plaid and having unappetizing food served by a vine.
It's not until halfway through the book—far too late—that plot-driven action materializes. A student has gone missing and finally a quest can get rolling. If only this quest didn't involve even more wandering. Jumping into other realms is fascinating, but also chaotic. Here's where we should be learning more about Rosemary's gift, but those revelations are lost in the chaos. After the climactic action in a creepy setting kids will enjoy, two cool surprises set up Book 2. This may be enough to draw kids back in, but skillful plotting and deeper character development will still be needed to build this series' momentum.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Rosemary's fae power in The Graveyard Gift: Fern's School for Wayward Fae. How has it hurt her throughout her life? How does this difference help her fit in at her new school? How do Rosemary and Trym show teamwork when they use their powers?
How does Rosemary show courage when something happens to her new friend? What does she know about him that tells her he's in trouble?
What do you think is next for Rosemary? What is the biggest threat to her new school? What characters are still keeping secrets after Book 1?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Friendship , School ( Middle School ) , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Random House Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : October 8, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 256
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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