THE GIRL WHO SOARED OVER FAIRYLAND AND CUT THE MOON IN TWO

In this luscious sequel to The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There (2012), the heroine who twice saved Fairyland returns to save it again and discover her heart’s desire.

Home in Omaha, September wears her memories of Fairyland “like a shawl of fabulous gems” and awaits her 14th birthday, certain the winds will return her to Fairyland but a bit fearful Fairyland may not want her because she’s been “trying so hard to be a grown-person.” Then the Blue Wind arrives and winks “her out of the world like a firefly.” This time, September just wants to be in Fairyland, but she once again assumes the role of heroine by agreeing to carry a box to the Whelk of the Moon and confront the giant Yeti who’s causing pieces of the Moon to crash onto Fairyland. Reunited with friends Ell the Wyverary and Saturday the Marid, September finally follows her heart as her lunar adventuring ends. Richly layered imagery draws deeply from the fairy-tale canon as well as Valente’s imagination, while the omniscient narrator adds entertaining social commentary and droll philosophical asides.

Like September, readers may leave their hearts in Fairyland.