by M.M. Kaye
ages: 9-12
First sentence: “Long and long ago, when Oberon was king of the fairies, there reigned over the country of Phantasmorania a monarch who had six beautiful daughters.”

Charming. Completely and utterly charming.

The story of Amy — actually Amethyst Augusta Araminta Adelaide Aurelia Anne — who happens to be the seventh daughter of a king. The Queen and the council decide, since it’s tradition, to invite the fairies (over the King’s objection: “You may have forgotten what happened to my great-great-great-grandmother, but I have not. Had to sleep for a hundred years, poor girl, and the entire court with her, and all because of some silly fairy-business at the christening.”) to the christening of the baby. And, of course, something rash happens: the fairy Crustacea gives the baby the gift of being… ordinary.

Which means, of course, that next to her beautiful, stunning, perfect princess sisters, she’s pretty much nothing. And that no one wants to marry her. And that suits Amy just fine. She’s allowed the freedom to explore, to discover, to grow, to be. Until, because no one wants to marry her, her father decides to hire a dragon and imprison her in a tower until she is rescued.

Of course Amy won’t stand for that, and so she runs away, and hangs out in the forest until her dress falls apart. Then she gets a — shock — job, in order to save for a new dress. Since this is a fairy tale, she obviously has to meet The One, and of course it all has to work out as a happily-ever-after, but I will say this: you will be utterly charmed. And enchanted. And come away with a smile on your face.

Because it’s just that sort of book.

(Thanks, Sarah, for recommending it.)