Read, Write, Repeat.

Fairy tales usually conjure up images of glass slippers, magic kisses, evil witches and fairy godmothers with special powers.

But, My Very Un-Fairy Tale Life (Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky, 2011) by Anna Staniszweski stands most of those expectations on their head. Here, unicorns can attack, clowns can be viscious and people called adventurers move from magical kingdom to magical kingdom trying to keep the peace and vanquish evil.

Jenny is the youngest adventurer, but she’s getting a little tired of the frantic pace. She’s been pulled into so many magical misadventures that she misses her regular life and her regular friends. Not to mention that little thing called sleep.

But The Committee insists that she is the only adventurer who can defeat the evil Klarr. Never mind that the last time Jenny faced off with Klarr he took away her mouth.

Will Jenny return to her safe daily world and try to make her former friends remember who she is? Or will she and Prince Lamb try to take on Klarr once again even though it could be the last thing they ever do?

Let’s talk to today’s guest reviewer, Niki.

Reviewer: Niki

Age: 11

I like: Hip-hop dance, Irish dance, dogs, drawing, singing and reading.

This book was about: A teen-age girl who has to go on magical adventures.

The best part was when: She got her mouth back after a clown sorcerer took it away.

I laughed when: She kept saying cheesy sayings from movies.

I was worried when: People forgot who she was.

I was surprised that: She could mind-speak with the prince.

This book taught me: Not to judge a book by its cover.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: Funny, cheesy sayings from kindergarten.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Amusing.” “Awesome.” “Adventurous.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “Friendship is the best reward.”

You should read this book because: It is funny. I thought it was funny when she kept saying cheesy things.

Thanks, Niki!

If you’d like to learn more about Anna Staniszewski, who recently sold her first picture book — Dinosaurus Rex – to Henry Holt, you can:

• Visit her website.
• Read her blog.
• Read this interview at The Enchanted Inkpot.

You just can’t ignore a good book.

And based on some anecdotal evidence, it seems Justin Case: School, Drool and Other Daily Disasters (Feiwel and Friends, 2010) is a very good book indeed.

Here’s what happened.

When Niki, today’s guest reviewer, got the book, she started reading and — according to her dad — didn’t stop.

And after she’d given the book and her questionnaire back to me, my daughter grabbed the book and read straight through supper. She was so focused, I even had to remind her to eat.

I have yet to read this book myself, but based on the interest it’s generated so far, you can be sure I’ll start as soon as my daughter is finished.

Now, let’s hear from Niki.

Reviewer: Niki

Age: 10 

I like: Horses, dogs, reading, Irish dance, jazz dance, playing with my friends, golf, winter, computers, watching television and eating breakfast.

This book was about: Justin Case. He was a boy who was afraid of everything. But by the end of the book, he was no longer afraid. In Justin’s mind, his old stuffed animal (which was a dog) told him to face his fears.

The best part was when: Justin climbed a rope and was scared when he looked down. The picture showed Justin was sweating and shivering. 

I laughed when: Justin said the boiler in his basement was a big bad monster.

 I was worried when: Justin said he would never be friends with Daisy (his best friend) again.

I was surprised that: Justin actually climbed the rope and overcame his fears.

This book taught me: That it’s okay to be scared and that you can still conquer your fears.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: All the ways Justin conquers his fears. 

 Three words that best describe this book are: Funny, hilarious, hysterical.

 My favorite line or phrase in the book is: When Justin says, “What the heck?”

 You should read this book because: It’s an awesome book because it will make you laugh and teach you how to conquer your fears.

Thanks, Niki! You weren’t the only reader who liked it. There’s another great review at Kid Lit Blog.

Author Rachel Vail writes for little kids, tweens and teens. You can learn more about her books here. Or read a great Publishers Weekly interview with her here.

This book has charming spot illustrations by Matthew Cordell. A website full of his wonderful work is here.

Lauren Barnholdt writes for girls.

She has books for teens and books or tweens. And her first chapter book, Hailey Twitch is Not a Snitch (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2010), was released this month.

Little girls everywhere are in for a treat.

Here’s how Lauren describes the book:

“Seven-year-old Hailey Twitch knows three things for sure: Who she’s the boss of, how to throw a tantrum, and above all, how to get exactly what she wants. But all that changes when Hailey gets paired up with annoying Addie Jokobeck on the class project. No matter what Hailey does, she can’t seem to change her teacher’s mind.

“At home, a cranky Hailey is feeling sorry for herself when – poof! — Maybelle, a magic sprite, comes flying out of Hailey’s dollhouse. Maybelle’s on probation with the Department of Magic, and on a special mission to get Hailey to have fun.

“The only problem? The invisible Maybelle starts causing a lot of trouble, and when Hailey’s teacher wants to know who’s to blame, Hailey takes responsibility. After all, Hailey Twitch is not a snitch! Now if only Hailey can convince the Department of Magic that Maybelle has reformed.”

Today’s guest reviewer, Niki, was happy to enter Hailey and Maybelle’s world using an advance reading copy provided by the publisher. Here’s what she had to say:

Reviewer: Niki

Age:    9

I like: Horses, spaghetti, cheer, books, writing, horseback riding, and 4H.

This book was about: Hailey Twitch finds a fairy. The fairy’s name is Maybelle. Maybelle gets Hailey in trouble a lot.

The best part was when: Hailey fell over when she first saw Maybelle pop up. Hailey also hit her head.

I laughed when: Hailey fell over.

I was worried when: She wanted to be partners with Antonio and didn’t want Maybelle to throw away the list. She got in trouble because Maybelle threw away the list of partners the teacher had assigned.

I was surprised that: Hailey only received a warning from her teacher.

This book taught me: Not to judge people because you think they aren’t cool. In the book, someone in Hailey’s class invites all the people in her class to a ghost-hunting party except Hailey.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: What the mean girl, Natalie, says.

Three words that best describe this book are: Funny, hilarious and exciting.

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “I’m … I’m — I can’t find my voice. It feels like I’m talking with a big mouthful of peanut butter sandwich before I’ve had my milk.”

You should read this book because: It is funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To learn more about Lauren Barnholdt and her array of books, visit her website.

To learn more about illustrator Suzanne Beaky, who drew the pictures of Hailey, visit this website.

Alvin Ho is one scared second grader. Not only is he allergic to almost everything, nearly everything scares him too.

He’s happiest at home with his family, but even his family encouages him to do blatantly dangerous things — like going camping.

Alvin Ho, Allergic to Camping, Hiking and Other Natural Disasters (Schwartz & Wade, 2009) is the follow-up to 2008′s  Alvin Ho, Allergic to Girls, School and Other Scary Things. Both are by Lenore Look with illustrations by LeUyen Pham.

And they both are very, very funny.

Today, Niki joins Read, Write, Repeat to review Alvin’s adventure. She’s not scared of much, but she could still sympathize with Alvin.

Reviewer first name: Niki

Age: 9

I like: Horses, cheer team, summer, winter, tortellini and mint chocolate-chip ice cream.

Book reviewed: Alvin Ho – Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters by Lenore Look. Pictures by LeUyen Pham.

This book was about: Alvin Ho. He is afraid of and allergic to everything. The book tells you about Alvin Ho going on a camping trip with his Dad and his sister, Anibelly.

The best part was when: Alvin Ho got his magic kit. He kept getting tied up and couldn’t get out. But his sister, Anibelly, could get out!

I laughed when: Alvin’s Dad stepped in a booby trap! Alvin Ho had made the booby trap to catch scary animals. When Alvin Ho untied his dad, his dad fell on his head!

I was worried when: I wasn’t worried. It was too funny.

I was surprised that: Anibelly went camping with them, because she wasn’t supposed to go.

This book taught me: That if you haven’t tried something, you shouldn’t assume the worst.

Other kids reading this book should: Be happy they have it!

Three words that best describe this book are: Funny, exciting and great!

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!” (Alvin Ho’s cry.)

You should read this because: It’s really, really, very, very funny.

Thanks, Niki!

Both Lenore Look and LeUyen Pham have built a strong body of work.

Along with her two books about Alvin, Look has written two chapter books about Ruby Lu (Ruby Lu, Brave and True and Ruby Lu, Empress of Everything). She’s also written lovely picture books including Henry’s First-Moon Birthday and Uncle Peter’s Amazing Chinese Wedding.

You can learn more about her here.

Pham has illustrated my favorite picture book of 2008 Grace For President by Kelly Dipucchio. She’s also illustrated, among other things, two books by actress Julianne Moore and Sing-Along Song by Wisconsin author JoAnn Early Macken and One Little Mouse by Wisconsin author Dori Chaconas.

You can see her wonderful Web site here.