My Fairy Grandmother

by Aubrey Mace, Cedar Fort Inc (Editor)

Descended from fairies? It sounds unbelievable, but according to Kaitlin s grandmother Viola, it s true. In spite of her initial reluctance to visit Viola, Kaitlin finds herself being drawn into Viola s stories of elegant castles, evil counts, and exciting escapades. But as Kaitlin learns more about her family, Kaitlin s mother becomes increasingly concerned about Viola s mental health. Good thing Kaitlin knows better! From the author of Spare Change, this enchanting tale shows how a good story can bring a whole family together.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Lds Fiction, Book Club, Middle Grade

270 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2009

Reviews

[Chantele Sedgwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this book, since I loved Spare Change by this author, and I was not disappointed. This book has a little bit of everything in it! The story basically follows, a grandmother who tells her granddaughter stories of her childhood. Some of which, seem a little far-fetched. While her granddaughter loves them, it makes her daughter-in-law question her mother-in-law's sanity. There is a ton of humor, interesting stories, and honestly, a great read for anyone who loves fantasy with a fairy tale twist. I loved it, and can't wait to read Ms. Mace's next book! Love her!

[Susan Giles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this quote --

"Everyone comes to this earth and lives their life. It might be a long life or it might be short, but most of the basic details are uninteresting. We go about our daily chores, we might marry, we might have children, and we die ... Each of us has one story worth telling, one moment of glory and triumph or pain and despair; something that defines us. It might be one second, or it could extend over several years, but for better or worse, it is the most interesting part of who we are."

[Katherine Marple · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aubrey Mace crafts an illusive story, mixing the childhood dreams with the adult "common sense". Or is it so common?

Megan and her 9 going-on-30 daughter, Kaitlin, have planned a two week trip to see her husband's mom. Megan and Grandma Viola have rarely met, but it's time to catch up and get to know family. Her husband is sent on last minute trip to the desert with the Army National Guard. Since he won't be visting Grandma Viola with them, Kaitlin is at first apprehensive and grumpy. Oh, how will she ever pass the time?

Megan is conservative and smart- reserved, like most adults are.
Kaitlin is bouncy, curious, sarcastic and very interested in anything to do with magical places (like most young girls are)
Grandma Viola is funny and very creative. Is it creative, or the truth?

Almost as soon as they cross the threshold of Grandma Viola's house, she pulls Kaitlin into listening to a story of her long faraway childhood memories. She lived in a castle, she was kidnapped, she lived in Spain and descended from fairies! Obviously Kaitlin is interested and listening intently to every whispered word.

Megan overhears Grandma Viola's storytelling and is about to dismiss it as simply folklore, but stops when she notices the seriousness in Viola's face. Thinking she's developing Alzheimer's, Megan insists she see a doctor to check her mental health. Of course, Viola has a few words to exchange about that!

Are Viola's tales true? Is she losing her mind? Or is it that some stories are never told simply because others wouldn't believe them? Is it so unbelievable that there are things that we just. don't. know? Is it possible?

Viola's stories are mixed amongst the pages, and Mace does this beautifully. Just like any bedtime story, Viola's stories get good just as she's finishing for the night (or chapter in our case). Mace interchanges between Viola's stories and the real-time story between estranged family.

The stories are... GOOD! Hey, I'm a bit of a cynicist myself... but... I was severely interested! The stories were deep and obviously far-fetched, but still light hearted and introspective. It really brought me back to my own childhood and my vivid imagination (growing up with only older siblings for a few years left me much time to myself).

I loved it! It's not what I typically read... but it was very good. I will definitely read it again. Maybe even share it with my own daughter... once I have one. :)

[Summer Van Wagoner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I've heard if it sells enough copies she can publish the sequel, which I would LOVE to read, even though this novel is awesome on its own. :)
I would rate this book for ages 12 and up- it is exactly my kind of story: just enough fantasy to make me forget I'm sitting in a house I've been cleaning all day, and just enough reality to make me care about the characters. I've read a lot of fantasy lately, and have been able to pick out copy-cat parts in other books, right and left. I was so impressed by the originality and suprising depth of this story. If you rolled your eyes at the vampire novels, but read them anyway because you love the genre, you'll be absolutley delighted by this book. Everything the vampires were missing- like plausible character motivation- is present in this one.

[LuAnn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading this book and liked the premise, but the execution felt all wrong. First, the main character was too young for the set-up. Second, there was so much of her just sitting around, listening to grandma tell her story. And that brings me to the biggest point--the grandmother's stories were very interesting, but they would have been much better if they had been shown rather than told. As a matter of fact, if the author had used those stories as the novel instead of trying to fit them into the framework of a girl whose father is gone to war, the book would have been much better. I felt like the author hadn't gotten a real handle on her own story--or the genre for which she wanted to be writing--and lost her way.

[Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Katie and her mother visit her grandmother in Arizona. The trip begins weird as they discover that her grandmother loves the heat does NOT have air conditioning. Katie feels as if she is slowly baking. The redeeming factor in the trip is that her grandmother starts sharing stories about their fairy heritage.

This book is cute and would be fun for a middle grade reader. For me, it fell flat and I had a hard time keeping my head in the story. The book does not lack imagination. Katies grandmother, Viola, is an excellent story teller. The stories come at intervals when Katie feels like she is bursting to hear the next installment.

The book has fairies and a wicked Count.

[Marlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled with the book. I found myself skipping the story with the grandmother, daughter in law and granddaughter. I really liked the story the grandmother told.

[Carli Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just start by saying that this book is adorable. "My Fairy Grandmother", by Aubrey Mace, fulfills every little girl's dream to be special. When 9-year-old Kaitlin finds out that she is a descendent of fairies she is absolutely thrilled. A part of her knows that it is most likely not true, but the greater part of her (the part that wants to be special) believes every word that her grandmother tells her. Viola, the grandmother, has an amazing past and she has been waiting for the right moment to share her heritage with her granddaughter. So when Kaitlin and her mom, Megan, come for a visit she decides that it's time to share her life story with her son's daughter.



Viola is part fairy. Because of this she has certain gifts, one of which is a heart-breakingly beautiful voice. The gifts don't come without some consequences though, and when the wrong person hears about her voice, he decides to kidnap her and make her his own personal songbird. After years of captivity she has to use one of her gifts to escape and save her only friend in the process. The book switches back and forth between the current story of Megan and Kaitlin visiting Viola, and Viola's past being told as if it were happening right then. I'm glad it was written like this because it makes Viola's story that much more engaging and I found myself not being able to put the book down until I finished a section of Viola's past.



This book was a complete surprise. I kept putting off reading it because I thought that it would be just some cheesy little kids book about a grandma with wings and a wand that makes her granddaughters wishes come true. I could not have been more wrong. It's actually a very engaging story that takes the fairytale of fairies to the next level and makes it seem very real. It is a light and easy read. This is what I would call a 'vacation book', because it's perfect for relaxing. It would also be a really neat book to read with your kids. Check it out!

[Anna Field · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved reading Aubrey Mace. So I picked this one up not bothering to read what it was about. When I started that it was about a 9 year old visiting her grandmother, I groaned slightly inside. But true to all other Aubrey Mace books I have read, this one grabbed me, and sucked me straight in. Well worth the read. Thoroughly enjoyable.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells 2 stories: 1 is about Kaitlin and her mother, Megan, spending 2 weeks with Kaitlin's Grandmother, Viola, whose sanity comes into question as she begins telling dramatic and fantastic stories about her life and fairies.

The second story (well, stories) are these dramatic and fantastic fairy stories themselves. These are wonderful! They have the feel, pace, language and magic of folktales. Beautifully written, these are romantic and exciting and as a reader you devour these chapters. They are so engrossing that the chapters with Kaitlin, Megan and Viola feel intrusive and stop the momentum the fairy stories create. The real-world stories began to feel rather pointless towards the latter half of the book when the issues of Megan, Kaitlin and Viola have all been long since resolved.

I wish more had been done to tie these two sets stories together thematically. BUT don't get me wrong- this was a great read and I really enjoyed it (and I am PICKY!) and I will certainly pick up the sequel when it comes out! I look forward to seeing how the author shows the impact of fairy heritage on Kaitlin. Recommended!

[Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Everyone comes to this earth and lives their life. It might be a long life or it might be short, but most of the basic details are uninteresting. We go about our daily chores, we might marry, we might have children, and we die. No one wants to hear about all of it. .... Each of us has one story worth telling, one moment of glory and triumph or grief and despair; something that defines us."

This was a book where I couldn't wait to get to the end because I was so excited to see what would happen and yet, I didn't ever want it to end because I found the story so fascinating.

Kaitlin goes to Arizona to visit a grandmother, Viola, she hardly knows. Viola starts telling Kaitlin her life's story. Fairy ancestry, a castle in Spain, a kidnapping. It all seems so far-fetched and yet, in a way, completely plausible.

I really liked "Spare Change" and I thought "Santa Maybe" was fantastic. But this is my favorite by Aubrey Mace and I really hope she is able to publish a sequel. I can't wait to read the story of the Last Fairy.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story within a story. The question around which this novel revolves is, are Kaitlin and Grandma Viola descended from fairies? Kaitlin and her mother, Megan are visiting Grandma Viola for a couple of weeks. Grandma begins to tell Kaitlin stories about her past. Initially Kaitlin is skeptical about what she is hearing as is Kaitlin's mother who believes her mother-in-law has gone off her trolley. But as the stories about Count Diavolo and his diabolical machinations emerge Kaitlin and Megan become more and more intrigued and convinced that maybe Grandma Viola just might be telling them the truth about her past life. This is a light, short read.

Aubrey Mace has an easy, comfortable writing style. I have to say I did
not like this one as much as I liked her two previous literary efforts, "Spare Change" and "Santa Maybe". But the story had some interesting elements in it and there are even some discussion questions at the end that gave me some pause for reflection.

[Annalisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute story of a nine year old girl and her mother that go to visit her Grandmother in Arizona while her dad Kevin is deployed. (This is Kaitlin's fathers mother so there is a lot that her mother Megan does not know about her)It intertwines the story of their visit with the fairytale story of her grandmothers true origins. Kaitlin cannot get enough of her grandmothers story of fairy blood running through her veins, the count diavolo, her great grandmothers fairy woes. Kaitlin's mother Megan doubts grandma Viola at first and even takes her to the doctor to question her sanity but cant resist asking to hear more of the story.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given it 3.5 stars if possible.

The book is about a real fairy Grandmother who grew up in a time when everyone knew a fairy, but fairies were shunnned - and hunted. Just as the grandmother's genealogy stories get interesting (like in the movie, Princess Bride) the Grandmother stops the story and leaves a cliff hanger until the next opportunity comes to reveal another branch on the family tree. I thought this very effective to keep the reader interested.

Be prepared for a measure of darkness - the why behind the Grandmother's soft voice has some really tough/violent scenes.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun story of a grandmother with fairy ancestry. This unfolds beautifully in an artfully haphazard way. Viola is telling her granddaughter her life story and throughout the book we return to the present and then jump to another part of the story, moving things along and keeping the reader guessing. Aubrey Mace uses fun attention grabbing lines quite often which makes this a real page turner.

The story is uplifting as it shows Viola in her glory as well as her low times consistently choosing the right. Creatively written plots with enough of a realistic take on people and life to make this fun for children and adults alike.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this original fairy tale. A young girl meets her elderly grandmother for the first time, and is told a fantastic story she isn't sure she should believe. Her mother gets involved and threatens to end the story telling, but is soon as involved in the story as her daughter.
Such a fun book! Makes me think about how we take the elderly for granted. We don't listen to what they have to tell us, and soon they won't be around to tell us the histories they have! Great book for all ages, but a little more mature so teenage and up would enjoy it the most.

[Hillary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a totally unexpected book!

I really enjoyed this book! It had a bit of a slow start, and I almost put it down in the first 3 chapters, but decided to keep going. By the middle of the book, I was hooked.

The story is original and fun! Not your typical fairy tale AT ALL! Very imaginative of Whitney Award writer for ROMANCE, Aubrey Mace. The ending definitely leads you to expect a follow up. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The idea behind the story was interesting. The grandmother tries to create a relationship with her granddaughter by telling her stories. I thought the granddaughter was too old for her 9 years. Making her 13 or 14 might have eased the feeling that the girl was acting way too old. I also thought that the ending came without enough closure. I expected more conflict between the "real" story, and it seemed to only come from the fairy tale.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairies are not what you may think they are in this novel, My Fairy Grandmother. Fairies are a humanoid race that have been persecuted for generations. In this book, a grandmother of fairy heritage passes on her story and the stories of her ancestors to her granddaughter.

This story was the story of a grandmother and her granddaughter, but it was broken up by the stories that the grandmother told of her family's history. I rather enjoyed it.

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This was a cute two-stories-in-one book -- part of the story is a young girl visiting her grandmother and the other part is the fairy tale story her grandmother relates to her. I think I liked the fairy tale story better. I did like how not everyone in the story has a "happily-ever-after" ending -- definitely some sadder endings for some of the characters which gave it a more realistic feel.

[Kaylynn Johnsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were moments of pure poetry: "Kaitlin enjoyed reading books so much that she thought she might want to write her own one day. And when that day came, she would come to the library to write it. Something told her that it would be the perfect place. It was quiet and organized, and what could be more conducive toward bringing a new book into the world than the encouraging whispers of thousands of others?" But, for the most part, it was uneven.

[Mary Elizabeth Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of many things that I love in a book...adventure, intrigue, mystery, a little bit of romance, bravery, kindness, good overcoming evil, and even some magic. This was an exciting and truly enjoyable novel. The writing is engaging and keeps you wanting more...making the book hard to put down...even when I should have been sleeping, working or taking care of things at home. I also love the simple but beautiful cover. :)

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A ten year old girl gets told stories from her grandmother about the women who have gone before her. Stories that are hard to believe. But, believable at the same time. And she believes her slightly excentric grandma and ends up with some good memories of her.
I liked parts of this book. I was bored with a good portion. On the whole is was good.

[Camala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute story so far a young girl visits her paternal grandmother in Arizona with her mother. She knows little about her but comes to learn a lot of interesting things about her family history. So far one I don't want to put down really enjoying it. Very well written very descriptive.

A very unique book.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is something very endearing about a girl developing a special bond and relationship with her grandmother, something special between them that no one else understands. Maybe it is because I am a grandmother, and I remember special times with my grandmother. Aubrey did a great job with this cute fairy tale. It's kind of fun to know the author. Way to go Aubrey!

[Heather Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different than her other novels with the fairy tale aspect. Light, fun, and refreshing. Kaitlin finds out that her grandmother has fairy blood flowing through her veins. As Viola tells stories of castles, an evil count, and exciting adventures her mental health is questioned. Kaitlin, however, believes every word.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastically magical. As Kate's grandmother livens up her visit by telling her family history. But her family is more interesting than mine or yours. Kate is descended from fairies! How was the elderly grandma that Kates mother thinks is crazy grow up in a castle in Spain? However she wasn't exactly a princess.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am surprised by how much I enjoyed this book just because it is so different from the type of book I normally read. It was very creative, very engaging and I really enjoyed it. It did end a little too abruptly for me, but overall it was a very pleasant read that kept me guessing and wanting to read more.

[Debbie Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

FUN, CHARMING and DIFFERENT. I thought it would be something I liked and was pleasantly surprised. I loved the story the charactures and Aubrey's writing. Well worth the time. Aubrey Mace I love your book! IS THERE GOING TO BE A SEQUEL?

[Robyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

A nice middle reader book. I felt the author tried to put too much into the story, she could have made it into 3 books and given time for character and plot development. As it is the characters are superficial and the story hurried.