Bonnie Bailey and the Faire of Worlds

by Ellie Kirk

Join Bonnie Bailey as she enters a magical, world-traveling Faire in this epic middle-grade fantasy about finding your own strength.

Thirteen-year-old Bonnie Bailey comes from a long line of beekeepers. But her family’s apiary is failing, and Bonnie and her mom need money fast if they have any chance of keeping it going. When a mysterious woman appears among the bee hives and offers Bonnie a job at a fair that's in town for one night only, Bonnie reluctantly takes a chance. But the Faire of Worlds isn’t a regular carnival—She’s a sentient, magical being who exists in a nomadic pocket reality. Her residents are people and creatures rescued from parallel dimensions of Earth. 
     Bonnie is swept into a world of unimaginable wonders and dangerous undercurrents. She tends a colony of giant bees, befriends a young cowboy who’s on the run for stealing eggs from flying turtles, and discovers that not everything at the Faire is as happy as it seems. When the Faire is threatened by dark forces, Bonnie faces an impossible return to the safety of her own reality or stay and fight to protect this fantastical world she has grown to love? With a cast of unforgettable characters and boundless fantastical curiosities, Bonnie Bailey and the Faire of Worlds will lure readers back again and again.

 

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy

288 pages, Hardcover

Published May 6, 2025

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I could choose a superpower, it would be talking to animals. This new MG fantasy debut by Ellie Kirk features a girl who is a real bee whisperer. She can sense their emotions and the messages they are trying to communicate. When the Faire of Worlds comes to town they want her for their new Beekeeper's Assistant.🐝

Entering into the Faire of Worlds is like no other fair on earth. The performers and workers have been saved from perilous situations in other worlds and serve the Faire each season until they have redeemed their time. They never age and they can eat whatever they want without gaining weight. Sounds pretty cool, huh?

I quite enjoyed this read and would compare it to Circus Mirandus with its out of this world flair. The good vs. evil teams are clearly defined and Bonnie, the "I can't" girl has a chance to grow into a girl who says, "I'll try!"

Thank you to Worthy Publishing for a paperback ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, Bonnie enters the magical world of the Faire shortly after learning the family bee farm is on the brink of financial ruin. The Faire offers a solution but can she trust Abeo the manager of the Faire and Jack a cute young cowboy she meets? They keep begging her to stay and help the Faire while on furlough. She says she can't but they say she can. Which is it? While Bonnie learns that she can do anything she sets her mind to, it turns out that Abeo and Jack can be trusted and that the Faire does keep its word to set Bonnie free. Tweens who enjoy stories (i.e. Circus Mirandus, The Magician's Elephant) with worlds full of magic and mayhem will enjoy this.
Thank you to Worthy Publishing for providing me with an advanced reader's copy of this title for review.

[Skye Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my honest review.
Bonnie Bailey and the faire of worlds is my FAVORITE BOOK EVER!!!!!!!!

This book turned out nothing I expected it to. From the moment I read the first page I knew this was going to be AMAZING! Once I started reading, I couldn’t put the book down. This book was intriguing, surprising, and a little suspenseful. I really enjoyed this book and kind of wish there would be a book two.

This book was really really good and is totally worth five stars!!!

[Sirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

If it weren't for the bees, Bonnie would never consider joining the circus. But with her family's apiary failing and after a few tricks by the sentient carnival, Bonnie reluctantly agrees to be a temporary assistant beekeeper. But it's not just the bees she's meant to be keeping an eye on: it turns out the head beekeeper is up to something, and it's up to Bonnie to figure it out before her friends and the whole Faire of Worlds suffer.

This book does not waste time with extra words. The action starts as soon as the book does, and it keeps up its heart-stopping pace without any regrets. But that doesn't mean there aren't beautifully thoughtful moments. I particularly liked that some of my favorite characters get a 5-minute summary as part of Bonnie's introduction to the Faire—a clever way to give character backstory without breaking continuity. Despite being a fairly simple character, Bonnie is easy to empathize with and makes meaningful choices. I love the way she uses her knowledge of bees throughout the book, slowly gaining confidence as she realizes that there's been a hero inside her the whole time. But this book isn't individualistic. It also features the important message that sometimes the wisest and most heroic thing to do is let someone else be the hero. This book honors the ways that we protect one another by consent, and it reminds us that all creatures deserve rights, in their own way. I think a lot of readers will be heartbroken when they have to say goodbye to these characters, but at least they're not gone, just elsewhere. I've always loved circuses, and this book truly does justice to both the magic and the shady underside, all in a way that's approachable for middle grade readers.

My sincere thanks to Worthy Kids, part of Hachette Book Group, for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bonnie Bailey and her mom run an apiary, just as generations of Bailey women before them. Sadly, financial struggles abound and Bonnie's mom is thinking of selling their land. Bonnie can't imagine any other life, but at thirteen, what kind of job can she really get that will bring in enough money to save the apiary? Stressed and despondent, Bonnie is lying in the grass among the beehives and falls asleep. When she wakes up there's a women standing over her who offers her a job in the "Faire of Worlds." This fair isn't an ordinary fair, it's a magic carnival that travels between worlds and her employees are residents from many different worlds. Desperate to save her family's apiary, Bonnie agrees to become the assistant bee keeper.

When Bonnie discovers that everything at the fair isn't as she was originally told, she must decide if she is willing to risk her own future to save the fair, or if she's going to "take the money and run" back home.

This middle grade fantasy has a fantastic balance of danger and intrigue and good, clean fun! It's perfect for kids ages 9+ who love fantasy or animals and adventure. There's enough whimsy and adventure to be escapism and enough danger to keep kids interested, while not being too scary or intense for the middle grade crowd.

Definitely recommended! 4 1/2 stars

Thank you to Worthykids Publishing for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own!

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this magical and charming story about a 13-year-old girl who is swept into a delightful, bizarre and sometimes dangerous world in order to save her family’s bee business and home. It’s a full on, face-paced adventure, dramatic and amazing. Looking forward to reading more books from this author.

[Jillian Anderson]

Readers are going to love entering the world of Bonnie Bailey and the Faire of Worlds.
When Bonnie's mom surprises her with the news of selling their house, Bonnie refuses to believe that is the end of her beekeeping story. Her bees need her. To save her house and her bees, Bonnie enters the Faire of Worlds. But entering the carnival brings many surprises and even danger. Bonnie sets out to uncover the darkness slithering into the Faire.

Likes- The world of the carnival is magical. It's so much more than a carnival. The carousel has a bee that takes Bonnie on a real ride, surpassing all imagination. Dart was my favorite of the bees and Jack was the perfect companion. I loved the idea of the Faire creating its new rides and how they changed every season. The characters and their back stories of how they joined the Faire were intriguing. I wish there had been more of this! I loved the ending of the book- the voting, the loyalty of Dart, and the dissolution of Faire worker contracts was satisfying.

Dislikes- I had a hard time with Bonnie being 13. For most of the book I felt Bonnie was younger. She constantly doubted herself in the book and other characters were always encouraging her to try (but in a patronizing way). The darkness trying to take over the Faire felt like a grown up problem that didn't really belong in a children's book. It would have been nice for the darkness to be more of a kid problem.

Overall, I believe kids are going to enjoy the uniqueness of Bonnie Bailey. The book reads quickly as the action never stops!
Thanks to WorthKids publishers for an ARC of Bonnie Bailey!

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bonnie Bailey and the Faire of Worlds is an interesting book—a high fantasy that is folksy. The intended audience is firmly middle-grade readers.

I really love the writing in this book. It is the type of book I would certainly buy for a fourth-grade classroom or library. The rich word choice and language are exactly what students today need to enhance their reading fluency. It is also a book that understands what parents want their kids reading. It has a strong moral center on what is right, ethical, and good. Bonnie never loses sight of her goals throughout the story. She is a determined and serious character. Her love of the Bees she is charged with, both the ones she left behind and the ones she must care for at the fantastical faire, comes through across the entire story.

Despite how much I love the writing and Bonnie’s determination, I was not as engaged by the story as I expected to be in the first few chapters. I have a whole list of middle-grade fantasy books that I recommend, but I do not know that this will be at the top.

In middle-grade writing, one thing I look for at this reading level is humor. Humor has the potential to open up a book for a reluctant reader. It enlivens the reading experience and makes a book more accessible to a wider audience who may be turned off by genre specific tales. This is the case for just about any middle-grade tale. Unfortunately, this story did not have much levity. This was especially surprising considering the main setting was a Faire that crossed between worlds. I think there were opportunities for inter-world shenanigans, but this went largely unexplored in service to the plot and strict adherence to the story previewed in the first couple of chapters.

Fans of C.S. Lewis will like how this book provides a strong message of commitment, service, and integrity. I think this book provides an excellent balance of adventure, intrigue, and ethical questions. It is not scary or grotesque. This will not be every young reader’s favorite book, but I think the ideal audience is above level readers in grades 1-4. These readers would get the most out of it, and it is written for a younger audience’s emotional level. It is a simple tale, told well. For that reason, I would give it somewhere between 3-4 stars.

Thank you to Worthy Publishing for providing me with an advanced reader's copy of this title for review.

[Heirloom Book Club · Rating 2 out of 5]

A vibrant and often stunningly weird middle grade fantasy, brimming with wonder and whimsy. The story follows Bonnie, a curious and brave girl, who stumbles upon a magical fairground and is swept into an alternate realm teeming with enchanted circus performers, magical rides, and mysterious forces. Alongside quirky new friends, she faces dangers and choices that could change her world forever. Scenes like a carousel of animals springing to life for a wild ride—reminiscent of “Mary Poppins”—are delightfully thrilling and richly described.

However, despite the creative worldbuilding and some charming moments, the book includes some troubling elements that may concern parents and educators. There are several dark and unsettling scenes, such as people’s faces being turned into animals against their will, Bonnie being shut inside a haunted “mystery” house with an occult theme, and a scene with an invisible phantom seizing Bonnie from behind and trying to drag her away into a clown-themed Shadowland. Of course, these frightening elements come down to personal taste, and many kids may enjoy the sense of weirdness and danger. Similarly, purple-haired characters, including men with rainbow hair, may appear offensive to some and innocent to others.

Of more concern is Bonnie frequently telling others to “shut up,” a phrase used half-playfully, half-seriously. While an occasional outburst is certainly both natural and understandable, its casual repetition within the story is off-putting. The greatest concern, however, is a scene where Bonnie protests joining an adventure by saying, “My mom would never let me!”—to which an adult character replies, “Who said anything about telling your mom?” This casual dismissal of parental involvement, especially by another adult, is portrayed too lightly. Adding further questionable content is the Great Faire, a female goddess-type being whose pronouns are reverently referred to in capital letters. Ultimately, these aspects undermine the wholesome values of an otherwise imaginative tale, surprisingly from a Christian publisher. Not recommended.

[Elena Santangelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novel.

Let me start with settings: Like The Wizard of Oz, Bonnie goes from her farm (not like black-and-white Kansas, more purple and not boring--lavender fields and bee hives) to the full-color fair that shows up next door. The Faire is more than a setting. It's a live character, filled with workers and attractions from many other universes. Ellie Kirk conjures a place that feels so real, it's hard to put the book down and go back to whatever necessary chore you were doing before. And like a character, the Faire is also complex and has good and bad and uncertain sides. I don't want to give away more than that. But, she was my favorite character in the book.

The human and beasty characters are also all memorable. I liked Bonnie because she's not a superhero. She has some skills, but she's a normal kid, learning to problem solve and overcome her fears. The other characters show what can get done when people from all different backgrounds get together and contribute their unique talents to a problem. And, I admit, my favorite character of the walking-talking variety was the villain. At first, he seemed like your basic kids' book bad guy, but the reader soon learns that he's true Dark Side material. Still, he's not a super-villain. He's possibly the most human of all the characters. You can find people like him in our world, which is what makes him so dangerous and so intensely believable and scary.

The plot and pacing were right in sync, which was amazing considering how much there is for the reader to learn about the fantasy world of the Faire (again, sort of like the Wizard of Oz, where the story doesn't sit around waiting for you to explore the setting).

I'm afraid of giving away more so I'll stop here. Read this book. Buy it for the pre-teens and teens who you know who love fantasy. Buy it for the adults you know who love fantasy.

[Kathleen Kuesters · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance reader copy of Bonnie Bailey and the Faire of Worlds in exchange for an honest review.

This book has a wonderfully imaginative premise—a sentient magical fair that travels between worlds—and I think middle grade readers who love whimsical adventures will be drawn in by the creativity and charm. I especially enjoyed the supporting characters and the rich, unusual setting. The idea of the Faire itself felt fresh and full of possibility.

Bonnie, the main character, is portrayed as 13, but at times, her voice and decisions felt more like those of a teenager a few years older, especially early on. That said, I appreciated her courage and determination as the story progressed.


One element that didn’t quite work for me—though this may be more of a personal reaction—was the political subplot surrounding the election for Faire Manager. The portrayal of a corrupt candidate who manipulates his way to power felt a little too close to real-world events, which made it harder for me to escape into the story fully. I imagine some younger readers may not pick up on those parallels, but for me it was a bit jarring in an otherwise whimsical setting.


Overall, while this wasn’t a perfect read for me, I think it has a lot of appeal for the right audience, especially middle grade readers who enjoy magical worlds with a touch of danger and a strong heroine at the center.

[Debra Donahue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know where to start to describe the wonders of this extraordinary, inventive book. I received a free copy of the book and voluntarily offer this review. It's such a triumph, the world needs to know about it!

First of all, I'm a tad older than the target audience (8-12 years old) so as a 65 year old, maybe my perspective is a little more broad. I've been a voracious reader all my life, and as a wee one, my favorites were masterpieces like Charlotte's Web, Pippi Longstocking, obscure titles like The Wolf Story and Custard the Cowardly Dragon, an epically Ogden Nash masterpiece.

I curled up to read Bonnie Bailey, and I was hooked, charmed and immediately curious about where the author was going to take me. The Faire of Worlds? Every twist and turn was surprising. Delightful, really. The characters developed quickly, and I was squarely in the camps of every character...except for one. I won't spoil the story for anyone, but my eww detector went off early on with this one character. And my suspicions played out!!!

That's what's remarkable about this tale for all ages. I found myself in something of a dream state, visualizing the characters, human and not. Every moment, the story lived in my head...it's a movie, it's a series, it's a magical, magical thing. It’s a story we need these days, one of self-reliance, hope, resolve, friendships, cautions, humor, and endless imagery. GO BONNIE!

[Mary Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

To call this book an absolute delight, doesn’t really sing its praises enough. It’s a wonderful story about a 13 year old girl trying to help her mother out of a bad situation. And it has the right mix of whimsy and delight, truth and justice. Can’t really beat that.

And the concept of working at a faire in order to fix a problem is really a unique one. The whole book was very inventive and sharp, never a dull moment. It keeps you reading because you want to find out more.

It’s also the kind of book that also keeps you engaged in what’s going on and the imagery is beautiful and the storyline is interesting. The author includes an excellent point of view that would be helpful to all ages. It really takes your mind off of things which is wonderful.

I actually read the book in one day and it made me feel like I was a teenager again. So that was another plus to reading the book! It just had you wanting to go on and find out what happens all the time and that is my definition of a good read. Very well put together and developed all along. I think that reading it took years off of my life!

In the end, the novel is full of twist and turns and surprises along the way. Very, very entertaining. As the author says at one point, describing the food at the fair, as “an endless collection of wonderments...” that can also be used to describe this book.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

This middle-grade fantasy brims with adventure, heart, and breathtaking imagination. From the moment Bonnie steps into the Faire—a sentient, world-hopping carnival—the story unfolds into a dazzling spectacle of magic and mystery. The Faire is filled with vibrant characters, from a runaway cowboy to colossal bees, and its nomadic, interdimensional nature makes it feel alive. Kirk seamlessly weaves whimsy and danger together, making the stakes feel real while maintaining a sense of wonder.

Bonnie is a relatable and courageous heroine, driven by her love for her family’s struggling apiary but soon finding herself entangled in something much bigger. Her interactions with the Faire’s eclectic inhabitants bring warmth and charm, creating a strong emotional core that carries the story forward. The novel bursts with creativity, offering a rich and whimsical setting filled with wonder and strange delights.

There are moments where the pacing stumbles, and some character motivations could have been explored in greater depth. However, the story’s heart shines through in its vivid world-building and sense of adventure. With plenty of charm and wonder to enjoy, Bonnie Bailey and the Faire of Worlds is an imaginative escape worth experiencing.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Worthy Kids, part of Hachette Book Group, for this ARC, and for their patience. I took a long time to read it, but was struggling with a muscle problem for a long time, lots of pain that kept me doing little.
Bonnie Bailey knows her special aviary is in financial trouble. Her mother just let her know that there was little to be done. But her mother also asked if Bonnie would like to go to the fair that was happening near, just for a treat, why not? Bonnie set off and a mysterious woman stops her to ask if she'd like a job for this one-night only! Money is needed, so Bonnie, with some trepidation, says "Yes". What a job/adventure/experience that Bonnie had. This "Faire" is not a regular, ferris wheel and cotton candy type of place, per the book description, "(she's) a sentient, magical being who exists in a pocket reality. Her residents are people and creatures rescued from countless other realities."
And, among other things that become Bonnie's friends, there are giant bees! It's a treasure of creativity by Ellie Kirk. I imagine those who read it will re-read and maybe want to make some art from their own thinking about this very magical place!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was gifted to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Brief synopsis: Bonnie gets pulled into a magical, sentient Faire with all its magic and all its bizarreness, all in an attempt to earn enough money to save her and her mom's apiary.

In my opinion, the strength of this book was in its quick plotting and creative magic touches. There were so many little things about the Faire that added a lot of whimsy (like the cook always making you your favorite foods and the candy women being able to whip up something that evokes a happy memory). I think kids will enjoy this book who enjoy reading about animals/beasts/monsters, and especially those that would ever want to ride a bee!

For me (an adult reader of middle grade), I struggled a bit with the lack of explanation surrounding a lot of the magic and talked-about "other worlds" that people were from. I felt like it could have done with some tighter plotting. However, I admit that I am not the target audience for this type of story, and I do think it would be enjoyable for a younger middle grade audience.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Bonnie Bailey, bee charmer. She and her mom built Beeline Apiary. This once thriving business is in danger of closing. They are so far in debt, Bonnie’s mom is considering selling the bee business Bonnie adores. What can a thirteen-year-old do to save it?
Welcome to the Faire of Worlds. By outward appearances it looks like a carnival. But once Bonnie steps through the entry arch, the world she knows disappears. In its place is a world of magical beings, people from countless universes, and a brewing battle for good and evil.
Will the Faire where Bonnie is asked to help tend bees big enough to ride be her and mom’s salvation? Or will the dark forces of the Faire threaten the lives of those she loves?
Kirk has created a unique and wondrous universe of magic that will ignite the imaginations of fantasy-loving readers. A story rich in setting and amazing details with creatures that will thrill lovers of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. Or anyone who enjoys fantasy. This is a page-turning, action packed thrill ride with adventure on every page. Highly recommended.

[Jennifer]

I loved reading Bonnie Bailey and the Faire of Worlds. Bonnie Bailey and the faire of Worlds is about the human and animal characters that she encounters in the plot of the book. Bonnie makes friends and enemies while there. She also falls in love with the cowboy who shows her around the fantasy land. She helps the faires regain strength and make their world a better place for everyone involved. In the end she helps elect the new manager of the fantasy world. She also shows the true character of one of the people. And in the end she accomplishes what the fairy promised her when she visited her. She is able to save her Mom and her bee apiary. This book is so interesting it's a fantasy book that seems so real. I couldn't put the book down once I started reading it. I will lok forward to more books from this author. I hope this review helps you out. Thanks for allowing me the pleasure of reading the book.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, seriously, this was a fun read. The writing style just flowed so well and the world building was 🤌🏽.

Bonnie is a 13 year old beekeeper about to lose her home and livelihood. Something fantastical happens and she gets the opportunity to be a beekeeper apprentice at a magical faire with the chance to save her home and beloved bees. She then experiences magic you wouldn't believe and uncovers a vile murderers plot to ruin the faire for all involved.

The characters in this book were well thought out and so vivid...it was a joy to read.

If you have a child 8-14, I think they would enjoy this. If you are a fan of middle grade fiction yourself, I vote you pick this one up when it gets released. Even as an adult, it was an immersive read.

[Julie Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m closer to 3.5 ⭐️’s on this one but GR doesn’t do fractions. This was a unique story, provided to me by the publisher, in exchange for my thoughts.

Bonnie is our unlikely (Ms. I can’t to I can) heroine who stumbles into a magical but problematic world. Needing to save her families apiary and beehives from financial ruin, in this mystical carnival faire, Bonnie earns the trust of both bees and locals while she slowly works to take down the force of evil who aims to destroy it all. It felt like a bit of a Pixar adventure with vivid imagery and characters to bring it all to life!

Definitely for the middle grade crowd and very advanced primary readers.

[Ashley Wendt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the whole idea of a sentient fair,the world building was super creative and easily the highlight for me. I wanted to hang out in the Faire way longer than the story allowed!

Bonnie’s character, though, was a little hit-or-miss for me. Her age and her actions didn’t always line up, and it pulled me out of the story a few times. I think younger middle grade readers will still really enjoy it, but it made it harder for me to fully connect.

Fun and imaginative overall — just wished the character work had been a little tighter!

Thank you to WorthyKids Publishing for the ARC of Bonnie Bailey and the Faire of Worlds in exchange for an honest review!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited to read an advance copy. You’ll love soaring with Bonnie Bailey as she discovers a new way to fly and other magical talents. This adventure story is perfect for those hard to satisfy middle graders. Filled with excitement, adventure incredible characters and great themes of team work and perseverance.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book she it like a bee whisperer and her mom is struggling and wants to save it she enters another world it was certainly a very interesting read


Thanks to worthy publishing for sending me a copy of this book I really enjoyed it I will probably add my details to my review later

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enchanting, ethereal middle grade adventure centred around a young and intelligent bee charmer and the perils she encounters travelling between worlds.
A fun, enjoyable read and a must read for all middle grade fans both young and old.
Thankyou to Netgalley and the Worthy Publishing for an early arc of this book.

[Engel Dreizehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Copy...Found it high imaginative and interesting world and magical mechanics surrounding the the titular Faire including things like "bee charming", were animals and the political social hmmm forming the main problem of the narrative.