A Hidden Magic - Softcover

Vande Velde, Vivian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0152012001 ISBN 13: 9780152012007

Publisher: Clarion Books, 1997

Synopsis

Once upon a time there was a very nice but very plain princess named Jennifer, who, following proper fairy-tale protocol, fell for a very handsome but very conceited prince named Alexander. When Alexander offends a powerful witch, it falls to Jennifer to save him. In the course of doing so, she meets a wizard and soon wonders if she’s such a proper fairy-tale princess after all--a good little princess would love Alexander, but does she?

About this title

About the Author:

Vivian Vande Velde has written many books for teen and middle grade readers, including Heir Apparent, User Unfriendly, All Hallow's Eve: 13 Stories, Three Good Deeds, Now You See It ..., and the Edgar Award–winning Never Trust a Dead Man. She lives in Rochester, New York. Visit her website at www.vivianvandevelde.com.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 3-6-This "Words Take Wing" Repertory Company production of Vivian Vande Velde's humorous tongue-in- cheek fantasy (Crown, 1985) has mixed success. Listeners will enjoy the story of Jennifer, an impoverished princess who enters a forbidden enchanted forest with a handsome, self-centered prince who consistently makes bad decisions, acts upon them, and then blames others for the consequences. Jennifer is forced to seek help on her own when the prince falls under an enchantment. She meets a young sorcerer who, despite his limited powers, helps her outwit and overcome the various creatures and impediments to breaking the spell. The predominantly word-for-word (only some "he said, she said's" are omitted) reading of the story is adequate. Velde is the narrator, and while most of her reading is good, her marked accent with a flat "a" seems too down-to-earth and ill-suited to the playful fairy tale setting of the story. In addition, her pacing sometimes does not flow smoothly; she pauses between phrases and words that do not require pauses. The actors who read the dialogue play their parts well, but listeners are always aware that they are acting and some may never be drawn totally into the story. The dramatization of the dialogue is almost distracting as it contrasts with the undramatic narration. Audio quality is good throughout. Despite its minor flaws, children will enjoy this production. With its humorous reversal of traditional fairy tale roles, it will provide good entertainment for group or individual listening.
Louise L. Sherman, Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0152012001
• ISBN 13: 9780152012007
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192
• Illustrator: Hyman Trina Schart