The Glitter Trap

April 1, 2013
With the unfortunate last name Unger-Ware, it’s no surprise that 12-year-old Lacey has been nicknamed Underwear Girl by her popular classmate Paige. When Lacey accidently injures the fairy godmother sent to make Paige’s dreams come true, Lacey takes the fairy’s place and tries to help Paige get the lead in the school musical in this first book in the Oh My Godmother series. At stake are Lacey’s own dreams of an internship at the local zoo, and complications arise when Lacey’s best friend, Sunny, starts feeling abandoned. With all the twists, mishaps, and slapstick of a sitcom, Brauner and Mattson’s lively debut will hook readers from the moment Paige picks up her miniature magic wand. Fairy godmother Katarina is the opposite of her Disney kin, tossing off insults and barbs at every turn, and Lacey is a relatable and fun lead whose growth is organic. Halpin’s energetic b&w illustrations (not all seen by PW) are frosting on this comedic confection of a book. Ages 8–12. Authors’ agent: Joseph Veltre, Gersh Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Emily van Beek, Folio Literary Management.

April 15, 2013
A chance encounter with a fairy godmother with a penchant for glitter leads to merry mischief for 12-year-old Lacey. Discovering a curmudgeonly fairy godmother named Katarina trapped in her hair is just the beginning of Lacey's venture into the world of magic and fairies. When Lacey's cat tries to eat Katarina and injures her, Lacey learns that the fulfillment of her own dreams is dependent on Katarina's completing her fairy-godmother mission. To resolve the problem, Lacey must temporarily assume the role of a fairy godmother. However, her determination turns to dismay when she learns she must fulfill the dream of Paige, the most popular girl in sixth grade. Soon, with the reluctant guidance of Katarina, Lacey is endeavoring to learn the basics of magic--with hilarious results whenever she attempts to wield a wand and create spells. While struggling to determine Paige's dearest dream, Lacey discovers some surprising details about Paige's seemingly perfect life. Through her efforts to help Paige, Lacey gains a greater appreciation of family. Brauner and Mattson enliven a familiar storyline with comical scenarios featuring a plucky, likable protagonist. They also address common middle school issues as Lacey navigates friendship quandaries and first crushes. Halpin's humorous sketches, appearing throughout the text, playfully complement the story's whimsical tone. Featuring zany escapades, madcap magic and a cantankerous fairy godmother, this effervescent series debut enchants. (Fantasy. 9-12)

COPYRIGHT(2013) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1, 2013

Gr 4-6-When Lacey Unger-Ware gets wet glitter glue stuck in her hair, she never expects it to create a trap. While making a delivery for her father's restaurant, however, she inadvertently captures her nemesis's fairy godmother. The fairy godmother gets injured and can't make Paige's dream of becoming the star of her middle school's musical come true. Fairy rules say that if someone prevents another's dream from becoming a reality, the guilty party will never again have her own dreams come true. That means if Paige doesn't get the coveted role, Lacey won't become the zoo intern for the summer. To make matters worse, Paige can't sing a note to save her life. Can Lacey find a way to make everything right? The characters are well developed, likable, and entertaining, and the plot is involving. The sporadic illustrations are playful and help bring the story to life.-Kira Moody, Whitmore Public Library, Salt Lake City, UT

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.