Isadora Moon Goes to School

July 17, 2017
In this series opener, Isadora Moon, the daughter of a vampire and a fairy, tries to figure out where she belongs. Her parents aren’t much help: her father hopes she’ll attend vampire school, her mother assumes she belongs in fairy school, and giving both institutions a try leaves Isadora frustrated and exhausted. Muncaster’s abundant pink and black cartoons reflect the way Isadora feels caught between worlds, while humorously revealing the chaos that unfolds at both schools. Luckily, there’s a diverse human school nearby that suits Isadora just fine, even if her decision initially horrifies her parents. It’s a breezy supernatural take on the classic “be yourself” narrative. Ages 6–9.

May 15, 2017
A girl who's half-fairy, half-vampire struggles to fit in.Isadora Moon's parents can't decide which school she should attend: fairy school like her mother or vampire school like her father? They opt to send her to a day of fairy school and a night of vampire school and then to let her choose. Pink and sparkly fairy school starts off as good fun but goes downhill with some magic mishaps (a wish for carrot cake summons an ever growing winged carrot) and cultural hiccups (despite the sparkles, they don't approve of her black tutu in ballet, and she unknowingly desecrates a fairy ring). Vampire school doesn't go much better--she flies too much like a fairy for vampire formations, her animated toy Pink Rabbit is banned after acting out in jealousy of the bats, and her straight but unruly hair doesn't want be tamed to vampire standards. Despite her parents' conflicting wishes that she take after one or the other, she fits into neither mold. After an encounter with a passing group of diverse human children (as opposed to the all-paper-white fantasy creatures), she opts to go to school with them and be an individual herself--a message as attractive as the black, white, and pink illustrations. While Isadora's parents seem exceptionally clueless about what's best for their daughter, their loving acceptance of her choice is affirming. A charming story about self-acceptance. (Fantasy. 6-9)

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June 1, 2017

Gr 1-3-Isadora Moon is special because she is half fairy and half vampire. Now Isadora's parents want her to start school, but she's not sure where she belongs-fairy school or vampire school? ("I just don't know if I am more fairy or more vampire! I love magic, sunshine, and dancing around campfires, but I also love the black of night, and flying among the moon and stars."). She spends time at both schools, and when neither is the perfect fit and Isadora is about to give up hope, she meets some human children walking home from school. ("Some of them are scruffy, and some of them were neat. Some of them were loud, and some of them were quiet...and the thing was, none of them seemed to mind!") Isadora comes to realize that everyone is different. Illustrated with charming pink-and-black drawings, this is a good story about acceptance, being different, and finding one's place in the world. The language and vocabulary are challenging, offering a solid step up for independent readers not quite ready for middle grade novels. VERDICT This charming and funny start to a new chapter book series would make a fine addition to most collections.-Paula Huddy, The Blake School-Highcroft Campus, Wayzata, MN

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2017
Grades 1-4 Isadora Moon is both a fairy and a vampire. She has wings and loves sunshine, fruit, and playing outside, but she also likes bats and flying among the stars at night. When it's time for her to begin school, she can't decide where she belongs. Should she attend fairy school or vampire school? Should she attend both? Neither? What happens when she can't fly as quickly as vampires, or conjure cakes and sweets with a wand, like the other magical children? In this cute little chapter book, which is flush with simple black-and-pink illustrations (perfectly matching her personality, naturally), Isadora discovers how her unique mix of characteristics makes her special. She's certainly different from the other fairies and vampires, and she doesn't seem to fit in in either environment, so it's up to Isadora to figure out her own path where she feels just right. This book is perfect for early elementary-schoolers who live life to the beat of their own drum or are trying to feel comfortable in their own skin.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)