The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland and Cut the Moon in Two

Gr 5–9—At 14, September is worried that she is too old to go back to Fairyland to see her only true friends, and, when she finally hitches an illegal ride with the Blue Wind, she finds herself labeled a criminal. She journeys to the Moon in her old car, which seems to have come alive on its trip into Fairyland, and finds her old friends, Ell the Wyverary and the Marid boy Saturday, and they set off to stop the horrible Yeti, Ciderskin, from destroying the Moon and the myriad peoples who inhabit its large surface. Along the way, they meet creatures and landscapes that provide them with stories and advice. Bothered by the phrase, "what others call you, you become," September is even more unsure of who she is meant to be. When the friends finally encounter the Yeti, she is ready to challenge his awful deeds. Instead, he presents himself in a sympathetic light. Soon she feels the pull of the real world drawing her back. In desperation, she begs to stay and the cruel Blue Wind honors her decision, with dire consequences. Valente has once again done a masterful job of creating the richly realized world of Fairyland as well as aptly continuing September's confused and stumbling journey to adulthood. This series, for it must be read as a series, is a worthy addition to any collection. Both children and adults will find the adventure and narration both thrilling and nostalgic in their own ways as September learns to "call yourself what you wish to become."—Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA