Diary of a Fairy Godmother (Hardcover)

by Esme Raji Codell (Author) "Miss Fortune Harbinger felt it would be a good idea to discuss what we had planned after graduation, since it's just around the corner, thank..." (more)
Key Phrases: Miss Harbinger, Auntie Malice, Hunky Dory (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6 -With humor and ingenuity, Codell weaves an unusual, intriguing, and enjoyable story. Hunky Dory is the top student in her charm school, but her inner conflict about the purpose of witchcraft plagues her. She wonders if it must always be focused on evil. Hunky becomes interested in the work of fairy godmothers, a group looked down upon by ordinary witches, and, after much soul searching, she concludes that she wants to become one. Characters from well-known fairy tales weave in and out of the story. The protagonist's conflict with her mother escalates when she is thrown out of school for questioning the value of evil and of granting wishes. Her Aunt Malice is the voice of wisdom and helps guide her on her search for her own true mission. Double entendres add to the book's humor. Underlying the fantasy are subtleties about school cliques, the challenge of listening to one's own voice, and the need for girls to value intelligence and power rather than superficial attributes. There are references throughout the book to the wisdom found in Be the One with the Wand, the charm school's textbook; it offers valid advice to live by ("If you're between a rock and a hard place, stand still"). This is a fun read that will have particular appeal to fans of Eva Ibbotson's Not Just a Witch (Dutton, 2003).-Renee Steinberg, formerly at Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Gr. 4-6. Codell, author of Sahara Special (2003) and Sing a Song of Tunafish (2004), offers a shrewd fantasy about a young witch's identity crisis. Adolescent Hunky Dory enjoys studying to be wicked alongside Acid Reflux, Sinus Infection, and other members of her coven. But is a life of toil and trouble really for her? Even though her elders dismiss fairy godmothers as "vapid underachievers," Hunky finds the prospect of granting wishes strangely compelling. She tests her skills in storybook forest, putting the fairy in numerous, familiar fairy tales (What did Wolf want with that frilly nightgown, anyway?) The events prompting Hunky's reconciliation with her disapproving mother seem a little confused, and not every reader will respond to Codell's tart, sophisticated humor. But many girls, particularly fans of Eva Ibbitson and Vivian Vande Velde, will find a sympathetic heroine in Hunky Dory, in whom mischief and sweetness coexist--just as they do in the concluding recipe for Hunky's favorite "booger cookies." Sly, stylish full- and half-page drawings contribute added appeal. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (June 6, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786809655
• ISBN-13: 978-0786809653
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #763,372 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A charming, clever, and magical tale, June 24, 2005

By	Kidsreads.com (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

DIARY OF A FAIRY GODMOTHER is told in first person by Hunky Dory, a young witch who attends Harbinger's Charm School for Young Witches. Hunky is at the head of her class in charm school. She can turn princes into dragons and make teacups and hats appear out of thin air. Her classmates are jealous of Hunky's ability to cast any spell without disaster. Her mother, a brewer of magic potions, thinks Hunky will grow up to be the most wicked witch wherever the four winds blow.

It isn't long before trouble begins. At first, her classmate, Frantic Search, notices Hunky undoing an evil charm. Then Hunky is invited to a baby christening at the castle. She watches fairy godmothers giving wonderful gifts to the newborn baby. After her Auntie casts a wicked spell on the new baby, Hunky uses her magic to undo the spell. When she does, she gets a warm, tingling sensation all over her body. She wonders if it would be possible to become a fairy godmother herself.

When Hunky's mother, Auntie, and Mrs. Harbinger learn that Hunky is considering changing careers, they try to discourage her. Despite their efforts, Hunky is more determined than ever to try granting wishes for a living. She sets up shop in the bottom of a wishing well and grants wishes to people who toss down coins. Eventually, Hunky decides that she wants to become a real fairy godmother, but it will take the help of a special girl named Cinderella to make it happen.

Esme Raji Codell, who has worked as a teacher, a children's librarian, and a bookseller, is the author of two previous books for children: SING A SONG OF TUNA FISH: Hard-to-Swallow Stories From Fifth Grade, and SAHARA SPECIAL, which was the winner of the IRA Children's Book Award.

DIARY OF A FAIRY GODMOTHER is a clever addition to her growing body of work. It is a story about empowerment and making things happen rather than just waiting and wishing for them to happen.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Diary of a Fairy Godmother, August 21, 2005

A Kid's Review

this book was entertaining.............. is good for a rainy day

5.0 out of 5 stars Activates your fairy tale schema!, February 14, 2009

By	Love2Travel - See all my reviews

This review is from: Diary of a Fairy Godmother (Paperback)

I am a teacher and a voracious children's book reader. This was a great one. I'm a big fan of Esme Raji Codell because: 1. She is an educatior 2. Her stories are well written 3. I could use her books as mentor texts with my students.

I'm a sucker for fairy tale themed books because it does activate your background knowledge. Kids love to get the "inside joke" and this book allows for that because they remember the literature from when they were little.

I love the lesson - fight the stereotypes!