If the Magic Fits

July 15, 2016
Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Eliora by the White Sea, there lived an 11-year-old girl called Darling Dimple.Darling was born in a castle built by dragons, but she isn't a princess; she's a lowly pot scrubber in the castle's under-cellar. When, as an ironically assigned punishment, Darling is promoted to Under-presser (ironing linens) to butterfly-collecting Princess Mariposa, she discovers a closet full of old, forgotten dresses. These are no ordinary dresses: each has the power to turn its wearer into someone else. It soon becomes apparent that the castle is thrumming with magic, magic stolen from the dragons who built the castle, dragons who long to break free and take their revenge. Darling discovers a plot to break the magic restraining the dragons, and it's up to this cautiously intrepid heroine to save the princess, the castle, and the kingdom, one dress at a time. Darling's world appears to be populated primarily by white people; Darling describes herself as "pasty," with white, dandelion-fluff hair, and Princess Mariposa has "snow-white skin." Darling narrates, her voice capturing both imaginative flights of fancy and a pragmatism that will endear her to readers. A cheery start to a new series, this traditional-feeling fairy-tale-style fantasy will brighten the cloudiest of days. (Fantasy. 8-12)

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September 1, 2016

Gr 4-6-With fuzzy hair, a tiny frame, and an unusual name, Darling Dimple wants nothing more than to get out of the cellar where she scrubs dishes for a bustling castle community. When the opportunity to be an Under-Presser (a fancy name for someone who irons) on Princess Marigold's staff opens up, Darling nabs it, and so begins an adventure of mystery and magic. In this new series starter, Darling discovers a closet full of 100 magical dresses that disguise the wearer as someone else, which allows Darling to plunge herself deep into the heart of a mystery: Who is trying to wake sleeping dragons (literally) and steal the kingdom? Each dress moves and communicates in its own way, with unique personality. Darling uses only a few of the dresses on her adventure, nicely setting up the future volumes. As Darling slowly uncovers the plot against the kingdom, she also finds hidden depths of power within herself and reveals her true friends. A spunky and lively narrator, Darling Dimple is easy to love, and her story is easy to fall into. Schmid peppers the castle community with interesting secondary characters. While somewhat predictable, the carefully plotted mystery moves along at a quick pace with enough ups and downs to keep readers excited. VERDICT Give this magic-filled romp to fans of Jessica Day George and Shannon Hale.-Mariah Manley, Salt Lake City Public Library

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