How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier

This is a charmer of a novel by the author of the Magic and Madness trilogy.  In New Avalon, almost everyone has a fairy of their own.  The fairies are invisible and some people question whether they exist, but 14-year-old Charlie knows that hers does.  Since she was tiny, she has been able to find a perfect parking space for whatever vehicle she is riding in.  She hates it!  Not only is it awfully inconvenient to always be asked to find someone a parking space, but she smells faintly of gasoline too.  Why can’t she have a cool fairy like her friends?  A fashion fairy?  Or all-the-boys-like-you fairy?  Maybe she can…

The lightness and freshness of this novel make it read like a frothy teen novel with little substance, but that isn’t the case.  Underneath the humor there are more serious questions lingering about fairies, faith, and friendship for those who want a little more depth.  Teens can read it on several levels, which means that it will appeal to a wide range of readers.  The teen characters are interesting and always more than their fairies seem to be.  The obsessive nature of the New Avalon society is a great commentary on American culture.  A great part of the fun of the book is Larbalestier’s teen language that is unique to New Avalon but easily understood by all.  It just makes the reading all the more enjoyable.

Recommended for teens age 12-15.  Little handselling will be necessary for this one.  It will fly off the shelves on fairy wings.