MMGM: My Very UnFairy Tale Life

I've been meaning to read MY VERY UNFAIRY TALE LIFE for a long time, because the whole concept of a humorous fairy tale intrigued me. I also know Anna from the Blueboards and blogging and she’s such a lovely person.

Summary (from author’s website):

Is your magical kingdom falling apart? Twelve-year-old Jenny is on the case, whether she likes it or not. Saving the world might sound exciting, but for Jenny it’s starting to get old — even staying in the real world long enough to take a math test would be a dream come true! And when you throw in bloodthirsty unicorns, psychotic clowns, and the most useless gnome sidekick ever, Jenny decides that enough is enough. She’s leaving the adventuring business and not looking back. Or…is she?

In some books the humor is in the voice (Ten Good and Bad Things About My Life So Far), but in this book, it’s in the situation and the dialogue as well. I find that situational comedy is harder to pull off as a writer, especially since this book sort of makes fun of itself.  

Adventurer. Check.

Guinea Pig Guards. Check.

A Clown Antagonist. Check.

A Prince who’s really a lamb. Check.

This book is just loads of fun.

There were many times I laughed out loud—but the scene where Prince Lamb (disguised as a human of course) comes to school is priceless.

In many ways, it reminded me of the movie ENCHANTED, another fairy tale that doesn't take itself too seriously.

So if you’d love a little laugh with your fantasy, check out MY VERY UNFAIRY TALE LIFE for a different take on a damsel saving the prince.

One note about the cover: The girl on the cover looked sixteen to me, so I was surprised when I learned that Jenny was only 12. I wish that publishers wouldn’t keep putting pictures of older kids on covers for middle grade (and adults on YA covers!).

To check out more Marvelous Middle Grade suggestions, check out Shannon Messenger's blog.