I Was a Teenage Fairy (Ageless Books) [Kindle Edition]

Francesca Lia Block (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Once upon a time, in the bubble-gum-snapping, glitter polish-wearing, lip-gloss-applying San Fernando Valley, a gentle girl named Barbie met a feisty fairy named Mab: "Maybe Mab was real. Maybe there really are girls the size of pinkies with hair the color of the darkest red oleander blossoms and skin like the greenish-white underbellies of calla lilies.... But it doesn't matter if Mab is real or imagined, Barbie thought, as long as I can see her." Mab, with her crabby commentary and no-holds-barred opinions, gives Barbie the strength she needs to face the horrors casting a shadow over her life in sunny, shimmering California. How else could Barbie survive her over-perfumed, over-tanned, overbearing stage mother, dragging her daughter to modeling agencies in the gold-plated hope of reliving her younger days as a beauty queen? Or the "cadaver-pale skin" and "fleshy mouth" of Hamilton Waverly, the "crocodile pedophile" photographer who makes Barbie feel "like the doll she had been named for, without even a hole where her mouth was supposed to be"? Mab glimmers and gabs by Barbie's side throughout her teen years as she becomes a successful fashion model, falls in love, and endures all the troubles that come along for the ride--in addition to facing the black secret of her past.

Francesca Lia Block, author of the magical Weetzie Bat books that are collected in Dangerous Angels, and the empowering, punchy Girl Goddess #9, has once again crafted a mystical tale whose ethereal, original language will wrap readers in its gossamer grip. Block carries us to the weeping heart of despair, but would never be so cruel as to leave us there: Barbie gets a new, skyward-gazing name, Selena Moon, and readers get a glimmersome vision of living happily ever after. (Ages 13 and older) --Brangien Davis

From Publishers Weekly

In a postmodern fairy tale, a teen model's friendship with a fairy helps her overcome abuse. "The prose sustains steady crescendos of insight," said PW's starred review. Ages 12-up. (May)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 224 KB
• Print Length: 192 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (March 17, 2009)
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0017ZMZ1E
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (122 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #301,855 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

More About the Author

Francesca Lia Block, recipient of the prestigious Margaret A. Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award. has been publishing novels, short stories, essays, memoirs and poetry since 1989. Her work has been translated into many languages. Ms. Block lives in Los Angeles where she teaches writing workshops that are also available online.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not for immature or naive kids, April 13, 2006

By 

A. Richardson (Kansas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Was a Teenage Fairy (Ageless Books) (Paperback)

I've read most of the other reviews about how this book is horrible and so forth and so on because of the subject matter. While this book probably shouldn't be on a list for 12 and up, if a kid is honestly still so naive by the time they are entering highschool that they can't handle this book, maybe its good they are being exposed to the world. The book discusses sex, drinking, being molested, nothing more than is talked about on Oprah or Dr. Phil. Parents may not be ready for their 8th grader to be exposed to this, but its definitely the real world. I read this book going into the 7th grade and it didn't hurt me to read it, it just opened my eyes to a life I had never experienced. The book is well written and will suck you in if you are open minded enough to read it.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars full of glittering and lyrical smiles to lift your heart, September 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: I Was a Teenage Fairy (Hardcover)

at the age of 15, this is one of my very favourite books. i loved it so much i had to go out and buy it. this book is full of emotion and if you read it, it will forever enthrall you. this book taught me things that no person ever could. i love this book so very much, and i suggest any teenage girl (whos really a faerie on the inside, like myself) read this magical book.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellant book, July 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: I Was a Teenage Fairy (Hardcover)

First of all, if you have read Francesca Lia Block's other books, don't expect that sort of writing here. Granted, it has the same descriptions of places you would kill to go to, but that's about where the similarities end.

This book is more of a gritty Y/A novel than a fantasy, ie Weetzie Bat. It's the story of Barbie, a young girl haunted by her burn-out was-model mother, who wants Barbie to be to be a model so badly, she will go to any lengths to ensure it. So along comes Mab, a pinkie-size fairy with fuschia hair, who is Barbie's best friend, guidance counselor and, on occasion, psychiatrist! She is the best part of a fantastic book.

Yes, I liked this book. I loved this book. I will read this book until the end of time!