A Fairy Called Hilary - Softcover

Linda Leopold Strauss

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0439175194 ISBN 13: 9780439175197

Publisher: Scholastic Inc., 2001

Synopsis

A fairy named Hilary comes to stay with Caroline and uses her magic to enliven trick-or-treating on Halloween, the making of a giant snowman, a friend's party, an airplane trip, and a garden show.

About this title

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.

About this edition

• Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0439175194
• ISBN 13: 9780439175197
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 128
• Illustrator: Sue Truesdell