Going Places

Piper Green and the Fairy Tree #4

by Ellen Potter, Qin Leng (Illustrator)

Move over, Junie B. Jones! Piper Green is back in her fourth chapter-book adventure, and it could take her all the way to China. Suitcase? Check. Passport? Check. Magic X-ray vision glasses from the Fairy Tree? Check, check, check!
 
Piper Green’s class is taking a school trip to China—well, they’re taking a “pretend” trip, on a “pretend” airplane. And when all the kids in the class announce they’ve been on a plane plenty of times, Piper says she has, too. After all, it’s just a pretend trip, right? But when Piper gets chosen to be a flight attendant, her little fib suddenly feels like a very big problem. Could the X-ray vision glasses Piper found in the Fairy Tree help her out?
 
“Following in the fine tradition of spunky girls—Ramona, Amber Brown, Judy Moody, Clementine—Piper Green is set to make some friends in the early chapter book world.” —School Library Journal’s 100 Scope Notes
 
 “Piper has a winning combination of stubbornness, loyalty, and independence.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review

Genres: Fiction, 2nd Grade, Childrens, Juvenile, Realistic Fiction, Chapter Books

130 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 17, 2017

About the author

Ellen Potter is the author of many children's books, including the Olivia Kidney series, Pish Posh, SLOB, and The Kneebone Boy. Her non-fiction book, Spilling Ink; a Young Writer’s Handbook, was co-authored by Anne Mazer

Olivia Kidney was awarded Child magazine’s “Best Children’s Book Award” and was selected as one of the “Books of the Year” by Parenting magazine.

SLOB is on more than 10 state book award lists and was selected for the Junior Library Guild.

Spilling Ink; A Young Writer’s Handbook was a New York Public Library Top 100 Children’s Book for 2010 and a Children’s Literature Assembly 2011 Notable Book.

Her newest series is Piper Green and the Fairy Tree.

Reviews

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this fourth title in the Piper Green and the Fairy Tree chapter book series, the author has really hit her stride. When the quirky, endearing Piper discovers she is the only one in her class who has never ridden on an airplane, she fabricates a world-traveling persona for herself. The lie becomes increasingly difficult to maintain until it catches up with her completely. The situation and theme, applicable to many children around this age, progresses so naturally that it doesn't feel didactic. The protagonist's voice is well developed and feels just right for this age group. The cast of characters is unique but very relatable. And the writing is a pleasure to read.

[Carrie Gelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this series!

[BiblioBickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2nd grader Piper Green narrates a story about a special day at school featuring a "trip to China." When she finds that all of her classmates have been on a plane, Piper says she has, too, but the lies keep getting worse and worse until she finally comes clean. Classmates are realistic - not horribly mean but also skeptical as her lies get more outlandish, forgiving. Piper's narrative style does not have much of a filter, but she is not as bratty as Junie B. Jones. Good for ages 6-8.

[Denise Kettering · Rating 4 out of 5]

Piper Green receives the gift of X-ray glasses from the Fairy Tree and then heads off to school. At school, she learns that her class is going to be studying different countries and she ends up telling a lie that eventually gets out of hand and she has to confess that wasn't telling the truth. Piper pretty much says what she thinks, but she is not hurtful or offensive in doing so and the story reflects on both behavior in school and being truthful in a realistic way. I find these books to be enjoyable and Piper to be an enthusiastic, but believable character.

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't my favourite Piper Green title. I'm not sure why it didn't quite work for me, but think it might have to do with the fact that I listened to this, instead of reading it with my eyes. Tavia Gilbert does a fine job narrating the book. It's just that her voice doesn't resonate with the Piper Green character I have in my head. Besides, I missed Qin Leng's illustrations.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another easy chapter book about Piper Green. This time she finds "x-ray glasses" in the fairy tree that help her see through things. And when the teacher tells them they are going on a trip to China, she struggles with telling the truth when she realizes she is the only child in the class that hasn't been on an airplane. Cute story about honesty and classroom behavior. Grades 2-3

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 !!

[Cathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable series. Makes me laugh.

[Fia Rapson · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 cause the dude helped her find two feathers. She only put one of them into the fairy tree.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is just so darn cute.

[J.]

AR 3.9

[Lucca · Rating 5 out of 5]

We enjoyed another Piper adventure. I liked her conflict resolution.

[Katy Morford]

Read with Ella 1/26

[Sheree Putt · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing book

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVE the Piper Green and the Fairy Tree series. Maine! An island! Hijinks and misunderstandings! I will read every book about silly Piper. It’s amazing how a pretend trip to China can fill up an entire book. (Honestly, it made me want to have a pretend trip on a plane with our after-school kids. It’s a great idea!) Anyway, Piper learned a lot from what happened because of her fib. I’m sure young readers will learn from her mistakes too, and enjoy the story just as much as I did.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Piper. She is someone readers recognize and know. A good second and third grade title to be sure.

[Karen Arendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Piper's imagination and energy in this series.

[Mehsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Welp, I was pretty annoyed with Piper. I just don't like it when characters can't be honest. And who the freak cares if you haven't been on a plane yet? I didn't get onto a plane until I was well in double digits and I never cared that much about it. *sighs* Kids these days. I am sure no one would have minded at all in that class, well except little miss perfect Allie, but eh, that is Allie.

I did love the travel stuff, and how the teacher made it super awesome for the kids. Not only did they go in a fake plane (with everything added to that including customs), but she also changed the classroom, had special stamps, and even made sure someone who knew all about the country visited. I am sure these kids are going to remember this for life.

I did feel a bit sorry for Piper when she found out the truth about the x-ray glasses. But at least something good came out of it in the end.

But I am still happy that I read these 4 books, and I quite enjoyed them in the end. Lovely illustrations, a lively story, and much more.

[Gina]

Finished 10/23/17