A Most Magical Girl by Karen Foxlee

Annabel Grey has been raised as a lady.  She has her manners down, knows how to act in social settings and how to behave in public.  That doesn't help at all when she's sent to live with her aunts.  Her mother is going on a trip and she must stay with them while she's gone.  She never even knew she had aunts!

Knopf Books for Young Readers and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published August 2nd.

Not only does she not know the aunts, they're weird.  She's got chores to do and she doesn't even know how to sweep a floor.  She's a big disappointment because she knows so little about household duties and she knows NOTHING about being magical.  Her aunt is really angry over that.  Then they find out Mr. Angel is on the move and trying to fill the city (and world) with dark magic so he can control it.  Poor Annabel has no time to learn magic.  They give her a broomstick to ride, a magic wand, and give her a map.  The map is on her body like a tattoo, so it's hard for her to read.  Good thing she has a friend to go with her.

Kitty is half of this world and half on the world unseen.  She sees fairies and the trees talk to her.  Even the wind carries messages for her.  She agrees to accompany Annabel but only for more food.  She's not friendly.  But Annabel is happy to have someone with her.  She must go to Underworld England to recover the white wand that can help her conquer her enemy.

They run into trolls, have to escape a dragon, and then Annabel is grabbed by the dark shadows and her two friends hope they can get there in time to save her.

Have you ever had a troll as a friend?  Read this story and you'll meet Annabel's friend.  

I enjoyed the romp through the underground and the story in general.  Annabel doesn't know what she's doing but she rises to the occasion.  What more could you ask?

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee

Ophelia believes in science; fantasy is not her thing.  Her mother wrote fantastical stories before her death and Ophelia thought that was nice, but she didn't believe it.  So how ironic is it that she ends up in a fairy tale with a live Snow Queen and a marvelous boy?  Very!

Alfred A Knopf and Net Galley allowed me to download an ebook of this story for review (thank you).  It will be published January 28th, so check with your local bookstore to get a copy.

I really enjoyed this tale.  It's full of magic, monsters, ghosts and the classical fight between good and evil.  Ophelia is snoopy and she's found a locked room with a boy in it.  He happens to be the Marvelous Boy and he's been locked in there for hundreds of years.  The Snow Queen is determined to take over the world and kill him but she has to wait for the right time.  The right time is three days away.  Ophelia doesn't have much time to make a difference.

The Queen is grooming Ophelia's sister with the intent of removing her essence and using it for herself.  Ophelia's father is sorting swords for an exhibit.  There is no one to help her and no one to believe her.  She won't give up, though.

Ms. Foxlee's words make you feel like you're in the museum with Ophelia.  Doors and displays move, exhibits come to life, and the door you open may be the last one you ever open.  The museum is full of danger and makes you wiggle a bit in your seat as you read about Ophelia's journey to find the keys needed and to find the hidden sword.

I highly recommend this book.  Whether you let your young explorer read it or you read it yourself, it's very good reading.  Grab Ophelia's hand and follow her through the museum.  Your heart will be beating faster when you find the way back out.

Happy reading.