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Set aside a regular time for reading in your family, independent of schoolwork, the 20 minutes before lights out, just... More
Summary: Vinca Simpson is having a great summer. She is now, officially, part of the Martinez family - she has lived with the Martinez since she was five. Now they adopted her. Her social worker, Mrs. Welles, and Madam Rose were her fairy mentors, along with a Native American spirit guide. As a fairy, she is Periwinkle. When Periwinkle and her friends got to fairy circle, Madam Toad (the leader) told them that Mother Nature had a mission for all of them. One hundred years had passed, and they needed to recharge the Cave of Courage, as it was the energy of this cave that produced courage for all of mankind. The fairies face a number of challenges ... and learn that stereotyping people can have dire consequences. This (lightly) illustrated chapter book continues the adventures of five friends with fairy powers.
Type of Reading: bedtime story, anytime reading, family reading, independent reading, early reader, read aloud book, remedial reader, reluctant reader
Recommended Age: read together: 7 to 12; read yourself: 8 to 12
Interest Level: 8 to 12
Age of Child: Read with and by a 7-year-old girl.
Little Kid Reaction: Our daughter has enjoyed several of the other titles in this series, but lost interest after the first chapter with this one.
Big Kid Reaction: We thought for sure she would connect with the adoption element in the story, but it didn't happen. In reality, the adoption piece doesn't play a major role, as the story moves quickly into the adventure. It has been a while since I've read one of the Chronicles and I found myself flipping to the front frequently to remember some of the other characters. Even with that, I found this to be a refreshing adventure, and hope to try reading it again ... next time with my daughter.
Pros: Lots of action, magic, and teamwork combine in this fantasy series for transitional readers. This is excellent as a read-aloud or independent reading book.
Cons: The beginning gets bogged down with details that can deter some readers. The stories themselves are monographs, but the author tries to tie them together and it can be frustrating if you haven't read them all. They must be read in order to make sense.
Borrow or Buy: Borrow. This is a nice story, but unless you're going to get the whole set, it may not be a book you purchase.
Educational Themes: In addition to problem solving and teamwork, the story weaves in excellent lessons about judging others, stereotypes, and friendship.
Notes: The publicist representing the publisher donated a copy of this book to the Reading Tub®. This is an unsolicited donation.
Literary Categories: Fiction - fantasy, adventure, magic, fairies, series book
Date(s) Reviewed: September 2009
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