A charming twist on a Disney romance.
Once upon a time, two teens walked through a magical door at Disneyland.
Stella Griffin’s plans for a perfect prom night were ruined when her boyfriend publicly dumped her at a restaurant three weeks before the big event, resulting in an embarrassing—and messy—mishap involving their dishy waiter, Mauricio. Embittered about love but determined to make the most of the special night, the Type A junior, who reads white, is ready for her long-dreamed-about pre-prom Disneyland visit with best friend Nisha, who’s cued South Asian. But things take an awkward turn when Stella, decked out in her prom dress, discovers that Nisha’s girlfriend has invited along her new neighbor from Connecticut, hoodie-and-jeans-clad Mauricio “Reece” Suarez, who’s implied Latine. The two get off to a frosty start, but since it’s Reece’s first time at Disneyland, and his little sister loves the movie Sleeping Beauty, they tour the iconic castle, where they stumble upon a secret door that transports them into the Disney princess’ universe. Reece cautions Stella—who can’t remember any details of the movie—that they shouldn’t interfere with the storyline, although their arrival is a disruption in itself. Matson seamlessly weaves a modern-day opposites-attract story together with a familiar tale, adding more depth to the Disney characters and allowing the two contemporary teens to grow both individually and together. Despite running a bit longer than necessary, this is a fun and breezy read.
A charming twist on a Disney romance. (Romance. 12-18)Pub Date: March 5, 2024
ISBN: 9781368095570
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Review Posted Online: Dec. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2024
A magical story with a classic Disney feel exploring love, friendship, and leading amid hardship.
Shortly before the new queen’s coronation, a monster wreaks havoc, forcing a young fairy princess to intervene at her own risk.
In Pixie Hollow, the Never Fairies of Spring, Summer, and Autumn work to create seasons for the humans on the Mainland, while the fairies of Winter remain apart in the Winter Woods. Clarion, a governing-talent fairy who’s soon to take over as queen of Pixie Hollow, often looks wonderingly at the Winter Woods. But crossing the border is against the rules set forth by her mentor, Queen Elvina. When a monster from Winter breaks free and enters Spring, Clarion bristles at Elvina’s dismissal. Determined to be involved, she secretly travels to Winter, meets with Milori, the Warden of the Winter Woods, and learns that the land is nothing like what she’s heard, making her wonder what else the queen has been untruthful about. Together Milori and Clarion work to discover the secrets of Pixie Hollow, which may save them—or lead to death. Set in a magical place of flowers and pixie dust, this story considers the control we have over the roles we’re assigned. Clarion is a beautifully complex character—strong yet insecure, lovable due to her willingness to prioritize relationships over rules. Themes of fear, forbidden love, and good vs. evil are present in this fast-paced, engaging tale. Main characters are cued white.
A magical story with a classic Disney feel exploring love, friendship, and leading amid hardship. (Fantasy. 12-18)Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2025
ISBN: 9781368098458
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Disney Press
Review Posted Online: Oct. 26, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2024
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.
The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.
Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
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