By Ella

Everyone seems to have their own opinion on Marlene’s frizzy hair. For Marlene’s mother, it’s that curly hair should be straightened every week at the salon, yanked and prodded by a much-hated stylist. To her family, it’s only remotely manageable and presentable when it’s styled her mother’s way, but even then, it’ll never live up to her cousin’s Diana’s gorgeous, flowing, straight golden locks. And for Marlene’s classmates? Her hair is just something else to make fun of her for.

Marlene just wishes that she didn’t always have to be so careful to keep her hair tame like the whole world seems to want her to—no running, no dancing, and definitely not any attempts to style it her own way. But with the help of her best friend Camilla and her beloved tía Ruby, Marlene begins to realize that her hair is most beautiful when she wears it the way she wants to—and that maybe she can show everyone else just how lovely it can be, too.

​Frizzy is absolutely wonderful. The sweet, pithy writing of Claribel A. Ortega (also the author of Witchlings) blends with Rose Bousamra’s beautiful, evocative illustrations to create a moving, lovely graphic novel about the prejudices of those around us and the capacity of each of us to be beautiful. Quirky and relatable, I couldn’t help but read Frizzy in one sitting—I was pulled into Marlene’s story from the first page thanks to her struggles with self-identity and how others perceive her, universal questions that gave the book such depth. Perhaps best of all was the realism of Marlene’s interactions with other characters, particularly her family; ranging from awful to heartwarming, they truly brought the story alive with dimensionality and authenticity. I highly recommend Frizzy to readers ages eight and up, particularly more reluctant readers or those looking for an affirming, realistic story. 

By Piranha T.

Twelve-year-old Sophie Brown has never owned a chicken in her life. But after moving to Great-Uncle Jim’s old farm, she decides it might be cool to have some. After all, she likes eggs. But then she begins to find Great Uncle Jim’s chickens around the farm, and it soon becomes clear that these are no ordinary birds.

They’re chickens with superpowers.

At first, Sophie doesn’t believe it’s possible. Great-Uncle Jim’s chickens might be unusual, but not that unusual. But when someone comes to steal her chickens, it’s up to Sophie to protect her flock—including those she hasn’t even found yet. Because in the wrong hands, unusual chickens aren’t just unusual. They’re dangerous.

​Told in a series of letters, notes, and other correspondences, Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer is a book about friendship, adventure, and—most of all—chickens. Sophie and the supporting characters are funny, giving this book, despite its more unusual format, a fast pace and humorous inclinations. Kelly Kath’s illustrations, interspersed with the text, add another layer to this novel as well. Although this story may be enjoyed more by those familiar with chickens, it’s a fun book whether or not you have poultry. I recommend Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer to readers ages eight and up who like books about normal kids having unusual adventures with a touch of magic, particularly those involving chickens.

By Piranha T. 

Zima knows to put the safety of her pack above all else—and to avoid both the dangerous humans who are intruding upon her forest and Baba Yaga, the witch who every wolf knows will spell them if she gets the chance. But when Zima’s brother is hurt, she must appeal to Baba Yaga to heal him.

The witch agrees, for a price. She needs a wolf’s acute sense of smell to help restore the rightful tsar to the throne, and so she switches bodies with Zima in exchange for healing her brother.

Baba Yaga instructs Zima to stay put in her hut while she’s gone, but when a human girl named Nadya arrives bearing news of a plot to destroy the forest, Zima knows she must act. She sets off, with Nadya by her side, to foil the tsar’s dark plan.

Can she succeed in time? Or will her home—and her family—be destroyed?

A Wolf for a Spell is a beautiful, layered fantasy which reads like a fairy tale, perfect for fans of The Door by the Staircase and Begone the Raggedy Witches. Karah Sutton weaves a complex tale of magic, mystery, and hope full of elements of Russian folktales, creating an atmospheric story perfectly represented by Pauliina Hannuniemi’s beautiful illustrations throughout. The characters, particularly Zima, are all strong and distinct, and the plot is unusual and twisty. I highly recommend A Wolf for a Spell to readers of fantasy ages nine and up. 

By Piranha T. 

In a far-off land, an enchantress consults her magic mirror about a complicated and difficult question: What makes a princess excellent? The enchantress has become godmother to a baby princess, and she wants to ensure the girl is as perfect as possible. But what characteristics might her godmother encourage in her? Should she be tidy? Beautiful? Kind to animals? Polite? These traits don’t seem like quite enough. At a loss, the enchantress casts her magic mirror into a journey across space and time to bring back tales of excellent princesses, and to tell her what qualities shine most brightly within them.

And the mirror does indeed find tales of princesses. It travels from great stone castles to modern-day skyscrapers, deserts to sea-surrounded islands, and the princesses it finds are more than just excellent. They navigate dangerous forests to find cures for their sisters, traverse nighttime deserts to warn their homelands of a coming threat, tame crocodiles and sail tumultuous seas. They are thoughtful, brave, resourceful, and kind. And perhaps among their stories, the enchantress will find the answer to the question the mirror set out for.

Eight Princesses and a Magic Mirror is a beautifully illustrated, magical book, at once a novel and a collection of short stories. The eight tales of princesses, set around the world, stand alone as stories, and yet are intertwined with the journey of the mirror between them, throughout the ages, leading from a far-off time of magic and kings to a modern-day city. The princesses are independent, interesting, and unique, ready to do what needs to be done without help from princes, and their stories connect perfectly with the main plotline and the enchantress. Additionally, Lydia Corry’s whimsical illustrations throughout the book add to the feel of the stories. I recommend Eight Princesses and a Magic Mirror to fans of Girls to the Rescue, or anyone who loves fairy tales and strong female characters ages seven and up.

By Piranha T.

The raggedy witches have never been part of Mup Taylor’s peaceful life. She’s grown up in the mundane world, where magic isn’t common, surrounded by her perfectly normal mam and dad, her younger brother Tipper, and her beloved Aunty. Aunty has always warned Mup against the witches, and told her that if she sees them, she must tell Aunty and no one else. But the night Mup sees them out her car window, Aunty has died—and her family has no protection left against the raggedy witches.

Mup is quickly torn from familiarity into a world of strange and powerful magic where people can become animals, and an unjust queen forces rebels to speak in rhyme. But she’s a part of this world, too, because it’s where her mam was born. And the queen—who restricts all magic, and commands the powerful raggedy witches—wants her, because Mup’s mam is her daughter.

In an unfamiliar world where Mup doesn’t know who or what to trust, and raggedy witches seem to lurk in every shadow, Mup has a single goal: to keep her family together. But that might just be the hardest quest of all.

​Begone the Raggedy Witches is a modern novel and a fairytale at the same time. Celine Kiernan skillfully manages to create a very real world which feels very deep and multilayered, yet is simple enough to easily grasp, and adds to the story instead of complicating it. The cast, including Mup, is interesting and realistic. Those elements of realism are part of what makes Begone the Raggedy Witches stand out, because they integrate seamlessly into the fairytale-like story invoked by the plot and writing; the feel of this book often reminded me of A Path Begins. I highly recommend Begone the Raggedy Witches to lovers of fairytales and whimsical stories ages ten and up. 

Note: If you enjoy Begone the Raggedy Witches, check out our interview with the author, Celine Kiernan! 

By Super Kitty

In The Language of Thorns, Leigh Bardugo weaves together well-known fairy tales and original ones in a collection of beautifully illustrated short stories. Full of twists and enchantments, witchcraft and trickery, traditional lore blends with creative new elements to create a satisfying set of tales perfect for fans of books involving dark magic, mysterious characters, and powerful sorcery.  
​
I always like seeing how authors incorporate threads from well-known legends into their own retellings, and this was no exception. Sara Kipin’s stunning artwork adds to the magic as well, unfolding along with the stories in colorful borders around each page. Set in the same world as the Shadow and Bone Trilogy and Six of Crows Duology, there are certain aspects of The Language of Thorns that readers of the author’s other stories will appreciate; however, it can also be enjoyed without reading the previous books. Captivating and clever, I would highly recommend it for ages twelve and up.

- By Super Kitty

"In Captain Tinker's garden, once upon a time, there was a cat club. All the cats and kittens in the neighborhood were members. All but Jenny Linksy." So begins the story of Jenny, and how she becomes a member. At first, Jenny is shy and unsure; after all, each of the cats in the club can do something. What can she do? But with the help of her master Captain Tinker, she finds that she has a talent, and that it is one of the best!

I like this book because it is a good story about cats. I also like reading about the Cat Club's adventures. Jenny is a fun cat to read about!


- A note from Mamma: This is a classic book (actually a series of stories, published originally in the 1940's-50's, and re-issued by the New York Review), with simple stories & illustrations that entertain & delight children & adults alike...it's great for read-aloud, and the text is large for younger kids who are starting to branch out into reading chapter books by themselves.