The Fairy-Tale Matchmaker (Fairy-Tale Matchmaker Series #1)

by E. D. Baker

Overview

Cory is a young tooth fairy in training who wants to be anything but that, except there's no way the Tooth Fairy Guild or her mother will let that happen. After yet another bad night on the job, Cory quits to explore other things—like babysitting an adventurous Humpty Dumpty, helping Suzy organize seashells by the seashore, and attempting to finally rid the spiders that plague Marjorie Muffet. But it isn't until Marjorie asks Cory to help set her up with a boy that Cory taps into a power s he never knew she had. As she tries to understand her new-found romantic visions, will Cory finally discover her own true path?

Just as she did with her Wide-Awake Princess series, E. D. Baker spins a tale that is poised to launch her to the top of the fairy tale canon with a new series that fans of Gail Carson Levine and Diana Wynne Jones.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781619631403
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	10/07/2014
Series:	Fairy-Tale Matchmaker Series , #1
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.30(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

E. D. Baker is the author of the Tales of the Frog Princess series, The Wide-Awake Princess series, and many other delightful books for young readers, including A Question of Magic, Fairy Wings, and Fairy Lies. The Frog Princess was the inspiration for Disney's hit movie The Princess and the Frog. She lives with her family and their many animals in Maryland. www.talesofedbaker.com

Editorial Reviews

09/08/2014
Cory Feathering is a reluctant tooth fairy, following in her mother’s footsteps and joining the Tooth Fairy Guild, despite her lack of interest in tooth collection. A bad night on the job helps Cory realize that it’s time to quit the guild, much to her mother’s dismay and the guild’s horror. Both parties begin to harass Cory, who moves in with her uncle and stands her ground amid increasing threats from the guild. Cory puts her energy into odd jobs while she figures out what she is meant to do, something she believes will involve truly helping people (Cory’s recurring hazy visions of friends meeting their soulmates just might offer her a clue). The story moves slowly, filled with details of fey life and meetings with fairy-tale and nursery-rhyme characters like Humpty Dumpty and Little Red Riding Hood, who get amusing and clever backstories (Red models outerwear, Jack Horner owns a cafe). Baker’s (A Question of Magic) fans will easily relate to Cory’s struggle to define her own path and identity. Ages 8–14. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

Full of fun and whimsy. A delightful romp through a truly unique fairy tale world!

New York Times bestselling author of Tuesdays at t Jessica Day George

07/01/2014
Gr 5–8—When Cory decides to quit being a tooth fairy, she has no idea just how far the Tooth Fairy Guild will go to get her back. But she is determined to find a job that allows her to follow her heart. She tries babysitting Humpty Dumpty, an egg-shaped little boy who likes to climb, and the children of Gladys, the old woman who lived in a shoe. She helps can beans with Jack's mother, inventories Suzy's by the seashore's collection of seashell merchandise, and mow the lawn of the three little pigs. But the Guild refuses to leave her alone. And what about her visions? Do they really indicate a matchmaking ability or is something else wrong? In this delightfully reimagined fairy tale world, Baker takes readers for a funny yet sweet ride through the challenging task of finding where one belongs. Cory is an appealing heroine with a tender heart who faces the Guild with courage despite her mother's opposition. A variety of fairy-tale, mythological, and nursery-rhyme characters and stories make appearances in some highly amusing ways. This fractured fairy-tale radiates humor and creativity. It's thoroughly enjoyable in every way.—Heidi Grange, Summit Elementary School, Smithfield, UT

School Library Journal

2014-07-16
In this new middle-grade series from princess aficionado Baker (A Question of Magic, 2013, etc.), a dissatisfied tooth fairy wants to make a difference in a fairy-tale world. Cory hates her tooth-fairy job. She believes her true calling is to help people. Swiping teeth from a child's pillow just won't cut it. Against her tooth-fairy mother's wishes, she quits the Tooth Fairy Guild, an unthinkable move since this job is a lifetime commitment. After a falling-out with her mother, Cory goes to live with sweet Uncle Micah, her pet woodchuck, Noodles in tow. She begins each day answering help wanted ads. Her odd jobs range from babysitting Humpty Dumpty to ridding Marjorie Muffet's house of pesky spiders. Meanwhile, Marjorie and other friends ask Cory to set them up on dates, but Cory's not convinced she has a knack for that. While it's fun to see the fairyland characters make appearances, Cory's jobs feel somewhat arbitrary and take up a good portion of the book. Readers may start to wonder when the matchmaking will begin, as the title suggests—a longueur possibly explained by the fact that this kicks off a series. Cory's journey becomes most interesting, near the end of the book, when she searches for an estranged family member and discovers a life-changing secret. Those in it for the long haul, particularly loyal fans of Baker's other books, will appreciate this lighthearted search for one's true self. (Fantasy. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews

In this delightfully reimagined fairy tale world, Baker takes readers for a funny yet sweet ride through the challenging task of finding where one belongs… Radiates humor and creativity. It's thoroughly enjoyable in every way.” —School Library Journal

“In an engaging start to a new series, Baker creates a whole world with fairies, brownies, ogres, and more that is so accessible readers feel they could join it if only they could find the portal. Cory's struggles . . . will resonate with readers, especially fans of Jessica Day George and Gail Carson Levine.” —Booklist

“Loyal fans of Baker's other books will appreciate this lighthearted search for one's true self.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Baker's fans will easily relate to Cory's struggle to define her own path and identity.” —Publishers Weekly

“A fun romp through classic children's fractured fairy tales.” —Library Media Connection

“Annie is an enjoyable, independent, and undaunted character, who uses wits and skills rather than spells in her endeavors.” —Booklist on THE WIDE-AWAKE PRINCESS

“Humorous. . . . This fractured fairy tale will be enjoyed by readers who like adventure with a touch of romance.” —School Library Journal on THE WIDE-AWAKE PRINCESS

“Readers will delight in the twists the author makes to the familiar tales, seamlessly weaving them into the plot.” —Kirkus Reviews on UNLOCKING THE SPELL

“Slyly combines fairy-tale tropes. . . . The humor and relationships created by Baker are happily reminiscent of such classics as Howl's Moving Castle.” —Kirkus Reviews on A QUESTION OF MAGIC

“A lively fantasy. . . . Suspense, magic, romance, and humor.” —Booklist on A QUESTION OF MAGIC

“Baker continues to weave enchanting new stories out of fairy tale lore.” —Publishers Weekly on A QUESTION OF MAGIC

From the Publisher