The Fairy Rebel

May 1, 2003
A trio of titles by Lynne Reid Banks, author of The Indian in the Cupboard, makes a reappearance. For I, Houdini: The Autobiography of a Self-Educated Hamster, illus. by Terry Riley, "Banks has slipped into the hide of the hamster and seems to understand these small creatures completely, creating a tantalizing journey," wrote PW when the book was released in the U.S. in 1988. "The title tells all: slightly pompous, no slouch when it comes to vocabulary, and with a gift for dry humor, Houdini relates the story of his acquisition by a family and the trial runs and trouble spots that turn him into a great escapologist." In The Farthest-Away Mountain, illus. by Victor Ambrus, readers meet 14-year-old Dakin, who at age 10 set herself three goals: to go to the farthest-away mountain, to see a gargoyle, and to marry a prince. She hears a voice from the mountain calling her, and her quest is set in motion. When The Fairy Rebel was published in America in 1988, PW called it a "comfortable, old-fashioned read" about the "naughty but courageous" fairy Tiki, who defies her queen to give a childless couple a baby. A fierce conflict ensues when the fairy ruler tries to exact revenge.

September 1, 1988
From the author of The Indian in the Cupboard and its sequel comes a story of earthly enchantment. When Tiki, a fairy, is ``earthed'' on Jan's human foot, both are terrified. But because Jan, unlike most adults, believes in fairies, the two become friends. When Tiki learns that Jan is sad because she and her husband Charles can't have children, the flighty fairy performs a bit of forbidden magic. Her act provokes the wrath of the wicked Fairy Queen, but Jan's daughter Bindi grows up to be a healthy eight-year-old, receiving magic presents every year from Tiki. Then the Fairy Queen exacts her revenge on the family, and it is only through the combined powers of humans and fairies that the evil ruler is defeated forever. Told in the grand fashion of early 20th century fairy tales, Banks's story is a comfortable, old-fashioned read (with numerous witty asides) about a naughty but courageous fairy and her loving mortal friends. Illustrations not seen by PW. Ages 10-up.

February 23, 2004
PW
called this tale of a naughty but courageous fairy who defies her queen in order to give a childless couple a baby "a comfortable, old-fashioned read." Ages 9-12.

October 1, 1989
A ``comfortable, old-fashioned read,'' said PW, about the ``naughty but cou rageous'' fairy Tiki, who defies her queen to give a childless couple a baby. A fierce conflict ensues when the fairy ruler tries to exact revenge. Ages 10- up.