Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 04/01/2017 Gr 3–5—Isabelle is a fairy godmother in training. Her Grandmomma is the current president of the Fairy Godmother Alliance, and her sister is the fourth-best fairy godmother in the land. Given Isabelle's familial background, one would think she'd be a natural, but she would much rather play and daydream than study rule books or practice with her wand. Despite her questionable academic prowess, she is soon assigned a "practice princess" for six weeks with the objective of delivering a "happily ever after" to said girl. Isabelle is dismayed when she realizes she has been given an ordinary little girl (a "normal") to work with, and her worst fears about failing seem destined to come true. This is the first installment in the series, and, unfortunately, it never finds its rhythm. The narrative is disjointed, and the plot detours involving Isabelle's mother (a fairy godmother banished years ago) are confusing rather than intriguing. This novel might have worked better for a younger audience, considering the subject matter, but its length, along with the vocabulary, puts it squarely in the tween section. VERDICT An optional title at best.—Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, MI - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 05/15/2017 Isabelle wants to be a fairy godmother and loves the idea of waving a wand to grant wishes for or amuse princesses. When she begins training though, she has some misgivings. For starters, she hasn’t studied, much less read, the rule book. To make matters worse, her mother is known as the worst fairy godmother ever, and she was banished long ago (secretly, Isabelle wants to find her, wherever she is). When the trainees are assigned practice princesses, Isabelle is dismayed she isn’t paired with a princess at all, but a regular girl who seems sad and lonely and hasn’t made a wish. This sweet entry to a magic-packed series deals with confidence and knowing how to be a good friend, and Aronson’s descriptions are lively and detailed enough to paint a rich picture. Isabelle is impulsive but honest and caring, and with references to classics, like putting a princess to sleep for her protection, or princesses who attract adorable woodland creatures, this should have ample appeal for avid princess fans. - Copyright 2017 Booklist.