This book is a fun look into the world of fairies, and incorporates relate-able themes such as academic troubles and not fitting in. Ella is a fairy who can't seem to get things right-- her wand is broken and never fully charged, and she has an unfortunate habit of turning her teachers purple. All of her trouble-making is accidental, but she's been kicked out of two fairy schools and is not doing too well at her third. She doesn't like wearing fairy tutus, and isn't great at fairy magic, though she comes from a very distinguished family. She prefers skateboarding to other, more fairy-like forms of transportation. She doesn't want to be a fairy at all-- she sees them as slaves to humans, always flying around granting wishes. But then she accidentally reveals her true nature to her human neighbor, and an unlikely friendship is formed. She finds that helping people can be its own reward, and that you don't need fairy magic to make someone's wish come true. Whimsical depictions of magical fairy appliances are peppered throughout the book (Elly sees most of them as more of a hassle than a convenience), as well as entertaining diagrams of wands, fairy facts and rules, and Elly's family tree. The cover is eye-catching, with silver text and stars, and the text and illustrations inside are purple. Each short chapter has several illustrations, which are a little artistically messy, with lines extending beyond the boundaries of the figure. Many of the illustrations are somewhat repetitive. Stars and hearts are a motif. Recommended for grades 2-4.
What do You think about Fairy School Dropout (2009)?
Elly, a young fairy who dislikes being a fairy. She feels out of place because she does not want to be the glitterized, girly fairy that they teach girl fairies to be. She inadvertently gets caught by a human, which is a big no no in the fairy world. A mistake that will change her outlook on life. This series starts out pretty similar to most juvenile fairy stories. The difference in this one is that the main character, Elly, dislikes being a fairy. Most juvenile fairy stories the fairy loves being a fairy but is too awkward to perform fairy magic. With the difference in the story, it makes this story memorable and somewhat realistic. I am not a fan of the book cover. It is okay but it does not grab me. Although I am not the demographic for the book so it really does not matter so much for the readers. I also do not remember much magic in the book. I always prefer more magic. What the reader may get out of this book is not really whimsical magic feeling but more realistic tween girl issues with a little magic.
—Shannon McGee
