RORY AND THE MAGICAL MIX-UPS

Rory’s attempts at spellcasting often go awry, but a new school and new friends help her see that there is more to being a great fairy godmother than what she can do with her wand.

Though Rory can spell different words, casting magical spells is a different story: “What she wanted to spell with her wand and what came out of her wand never matched.” When she tries to conjure up socks, she ends up with rocks. When she wants new, she gets blue. The other students at Bibbidi Bobbidi Academy for godmothers- and godfathers-in-training don’t seem to have any of the same problems, and Rory’s spelling only gets a little better with practice. But when Rory and two classmates must help a lonely boy as their first magical assignment, Rory realizes that her spelling troubles won’t necessarily keep her from being good at granting wishes. The author’s play on the idea of spelling will be amusing to readers who are still learning to spell with letters rather than a wand, and Rory’s excitement and nervousness will resonate with many children. Energetic illustrations, often incorporating images from nature, feature cheerful, vivid colors and delicately drawn scenes. Rory has brown skin and dark hair; her school is diverse.

An effervescent, adorable series opener.