BIRDIE’S BOOK

When Sarah Bright, better known as Birdie, embarks on a three-day trip to see her long-estranged grandmother, she begins a fantastical journey. Birdie, an avid botanist, discovers a kindred spirit in her grandmother, Mo, who resides in a plant-filled home surrounded by extensive gardens. When Birdie finds The Book of Dreams in her mother’s old bedroom, it leads her to an alternate world, called Aventurine. There the Queen of the Fairies informs Birdie that she descends from a long line of Arbor Lineage women—fairy godmothers that wield a green magic. As a fairy godmother–in-training, Birdie’s quest involves healing the wounds of the Glimmer tree by uniting the broken pieces of the Singing Stone and thereby resolving the rift between her mother and grandmother. To aid her, Birdie relies on The Book of Dreams and her newfound friend Kerka. Bozarth’s tale is a beguiling mix of magic, adventure and eco-awareness, and her message of girl-power and positive change will resonate with tween readers. This promising series is part of a multiplatform endeavor involving web-based games and social networking. (Fantasy. 8-12)