Posted as part of Tween Tuesday, hosted by GreenBeanTeenQueen.
Ivy and the Meanstalk by Dawn Lairamore Publisher: Holiday House
Publication date: October 2011
Pages: 221
Source: Review copy provided by publicist
For: Review
Series: Sequel to Ivy's Ever After
Princess Ivy and her dragon friend Elridge seem to be settling down after saving Ivy's kingdom. But not for long. When a giant beanstalk disrupts Ivy's fairy godmother's wedding, Ivy and Elridge are pulled into another new adventure. This time, they must recover a stolen harp to help an angry insomniac giantess before it is too late for the kingdom. Can they convince the greedy king who has it to help them out?
Things I Liked:
This was another fun adventure for Princess Ivy and her faithful dragon friend Elridge. I loved the way the Jack and the Beanstalk tale is woven throughout, but has a very different perspective from the usual. It is a fractured fairy tale at its best. I love Ivy and the way she grows and changes over the book, but also the way she doesn't fit into the typical princess mold - and doesn't particularly care if she does. Her zany adventures are a blast, and there is some depth and thought to the book, making it more than just fluff.
Things I Didn't Like:
These books are fun for younger MG/older elementary kids, though the end was just a little too easy (though there were some surprising difficulties as well). Change came to some characters a bit too quickly, but fortunately not for Ivy. Still an enjoyable read for those who might like a light twist on the typical fairy tale.
Read-alikes:
Read the first in the series, Ivy's Ever After by Dawn Lairamore
Reminded me of Jessica Day George's Dragon Slippers books
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none
mrg-factor: none
v-factor: none
Overall rating: ****
What's your favorite fractured fairy tale?
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