A Fairy Called Hilary (Hardcover)

by Linda Leopold Strauss (Author), Sue Truesdell (Illustrator) "I can hardly believe it myself now, that a fairy came to live with us when I was younger..." (more)
Key Phrases: King Arthur, Miss Ellison, Miss Caroline (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Strauss's lightweight fantasy (which first appeared in Cricket magazine) is a lot like cotton candy. The first few bites are delicious, but it starts getting old quickly. Hilary, a preteen, life-size fairy, settles in with Caroline's family and tries to refrain from using magic, but once per chapter the temptation is too great. At Caroline's prodding, she gives the cat the gift of speech for his birthday, creates "the tallest snowman in the world" and beefs up a magician's act during her friend Susie's birthday party. Although Hilary's spells sometimes cause mayhem, the result is always more fun than disastrous. Yet too many questions are left unanswered: Why did Hilary appear to Caroline? Why does she want to leave fairyland? When will she return to her real home? Those mysteries aside, readers won't need a crystal ball to foretell what's coming in each chapter. Ages 7-11.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4-This contemporary story seems oddly old-fashioned. Originally a serialized tale in Cricket magazine, the episodic plot reflects the book's origin. The mild adventures of the narrator, Caroline, and Hilary, a fairy who comes to live with her, include a cat that begins to talk, a mixed-up magic show, and a brief brush with (maybe) a real witch. Characterization is limited, with flat, albeit pleasant, adults. Hilary, the most potentially intriguing character, reveals little about her magical abilities or about her home and family. Truesdell's amusing black-and-white illustrations do help to breathe life into Strauss's creations. While the low-key story is not splashy or exciting, it may appeal to fans of Edward Eager and E. Nesbit.
Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House; 1st edition (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823414183
• ISBN-13: 978-0823414185
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,270,699 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super Fantasy for Kids Too Young for Harry Potter, July 18, 2000

By A Customer

A super fantasy for children who are a bit too young for Harry Potter. A great read-aloud, but also a book most elementary kids can handle on their own. Charming, full of imagination, and laugh-out-loud humor. Children who I've given this book are eager to read it again and again. Will there be a sequel?

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well done, June 21, 2005

By	A. Clark (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: A Fairy Called Hilary (Paperback)

I'm surprised by the tepid editorial reviews. This book was deftly written, with a light-hearted wit that was never cloying. My seven-year-old daughter enjoyed it greatly.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Girl and a Fairy, November 30, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: A Fairy Called Hilary (Paperback)

I enjoyed the book, A Fairy Called Hilary, very much. I liked how the author used words that made me feel "I must go on." Every chapter was a story about Caroline and a fairy, Hilary.The story was about a girl and a fairy who lived with Caroline's mom and dad.One day Hilary just appeared in the back seat of a cr with Caroline.Hilary wanted to go to the museum with Caroline's family. If you like to read fiction,then you must take time to read this book.