The Story Girl Series by L.M. Montgomery

SYNOPSIS:  Beverly and his brother Felix go to live with their cousins while their father is away.  While there, they meet the Story Girl, a cousin who is good at telling stories.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  These books were great, and would be wonderful read-alouds to younger children, because of their layout.  The books mostly consist of stories, but also include everyday happenings amongst the cousins and friends.  I think L.M. Montgomery is a genius at capturing childlike innocence and everyday cares.  However, it might be hard reading to younger readers, so for that reason, I would recommend it more for precocious readers.

RATING:  G

AUDIENCE:  All

STARS:  3 1/2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Eight Cousins, Little House in the Big Woods

My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison

SYNOPSIS:  Chrysanthemum Everstar isn't a fully-qualified Fairy Godmother yet.  She's only a "Fair" Godmother.  To earn extra credit, she decides to help one of the Delano sisters find her happily ever after.  However, things don't happen exactly as she plans.  In the end, Savannah will have to find a way to save herself from her wishes.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This book would be fun, and relatively innocent reading for a teen.  However, it wasn't the best storytelling I've ever read.  I would recommend it for younger readers, but would not consider it to be "literature."

RATING:  PG

AUDIENCE:  Teens

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Palace of Mirrors, Ella Enchanted

To read about the next book in the series, click here.

Small Persons with Wings by Ellen Booraem

SYNOPSIS:  Mellie has always been able to see fairies.  One was her constant companion as a child.  However, when he leaves right before she was planning to show him to her classmates, she becomes the butt of their jokes.  When her grandfather mysteriously disappears, she and her parents move, and she discovers there is a lot more to their story than she knows.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This was an entertaining story, with fun fantasy, and a believable main character.  The content is age appropriate, and it would make good reading for a pre-teen or teen.  However, it might not be as interesting to an older audience.

RATING:  PG for subject matter (including bullies)

AUDIENCE:  Pre-teens and Teens

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Artemis Fowl, Witch and Wizard