| Title | : | Fairest of All (Whatever After, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0545403308 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780545403306 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 169 |
| Publication | : | First published May 1, 2012 |
Fairest of All (Whatever After, #1) Reviews
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I am a fan of the fairy-tale re-tell.
It is always delightful when a familiar story gets a fresh twist. But, to take an already awesome creation to a totally new height—in the same way that Jimi Hendrix covered Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower”—well, that really rocks my socks. So, it will come as no surprise to anyone that I absolutely adored Ms. Mlynowski’s Whatever After: Fairest of All.
And, you can well imagine my enthusiasm upon discovering that the author has already written an entire series of these treasures. I’m going to have to buy the whole set for some classroom library, but I should probably read them quickly, before turning them over.
In the meantime, I happen to have Special Edition: Whatever After: Abby in Wonderland in my hot little hands right now…
This mini-review was written by jv poore for Buried Under Books, with huge thanks for the Advance Review Copy. -
Die 10-jährige Abby und ihr 7-jähriger Bruder Jonah gelangen durch einen Spiegel plötzlich in die Märchenwelt. Dort treffen sie auf Schneewittchen und retten sie davor, den vergifteten Apfel der bösen Stiefmutter zu essen. Doch damit verändern sie das Märchen und müssen nun versuchen, dass Schneewittchen auf den Prinzen trifft und die beiden sich ineinander verlieben.
💙 💙 💙 💙
Mein Leseeindruck:
Ich mag Märchen sehr und war daher sehr gespannt auf dieses Buch. Es ist ein Kinderbuch, vorwiegend für Mädchen ab 10 Jahren. Die Kapitel sind lesefreundlich kurz, und der Schreibstil ist sehr einfach und unkompliziert. Die Geschichte ist angelehnt an das Märchen von "Schneewittchen", aber doch ist sie ganz anders.
Mir hat das Abenteuer von Abby und Jonah in der Märchenwelt sehr gut gefallen. Ich hatte Freude an dem Buch und empfehle es gerne weiter. -
Well this is my third time reading this book! LMAO
Below is the original review that I wrote when I first read the book that was posted on my blog. My thoughts haven't really changed from this:
Okay so I definitely only have one word for this book: cute! I didn't think that I was going to even pick this book up or give it a chance, but for some reason I was really craving a good fairy-tale and I saw this book lying around my local library so I decided to give it a try. At the time; however, I noticed I didn't have a lot of time to read any physical books so I sought out an audio version of the book instead. And to be honest, I'm glad that I did.
This first book is the introduction to the world of Abby and Jonah, a sibling duo that has been forced to move to a new city while their parents focus on their careers as lawyers. Very hesitant about a new beginning in a new city, the two children try function as normal kids until they are sucked into their an old mirror in their basement. Once the process in complete, the children find themselves in a new world set in the backdrop of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. What I liked most about this novel was that the author introduced the original story of the fairy-tale and she also gave variations. As everyone knows, all fairy-tales have variations in characters, plots, outcomes, etc. By incorporating this concept into the novel, Mlynowski is definitely giving her readers the chance to understand how the story could possibly change due to the influence of Abby and Jonah.
In entering the world of Snow White and trying to save her from a persistent stranger (the witch) they unexpectedly change the course of the entire story when Snow White is influenced to not eat the apple provided to her. By doing this, Abby, Jonah, and Snow must figure out how to put the story back together so it ends correctly. During their journey, the children discover a lot about themselves and a lot about common misconceptions of the human world. I loved that Abby becomes a strong enough character to believe in the idea that every princess or girl or woman doesn't have to wait for another individual to come around and save them from their problems. It was rather refreshing to read from the perspective of an individual that held true to these values and ideals.
This book definitely is a light and fun read and would be perfect for any child that would be considered a reluctant reader. It will provide them with a sense of familiarity while adding a spin/twist to the original story. They will resonate with characters like Abby and Jonah are strong, intelligent, kind, and all around fun kids. I also highly, highly, highly recommend the audiobook. The narrator Emily Eidem literally gives life to all the characters especially Abby and Jonah. I am definitely hoping that as I continue the series she is the one that narrates all of the books. -
jonah carried the entire book on his back and his back alone
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Rounded up from 4.5. A very clever and twisty take on the Snow White story. Abby (10) and little brother Josh (7) stumble across a magic mirror in their new house and are sucked into the forest where Snow White lives with the seven dwarfs. Abby and Josh arrive just in time to stop Snow from taking the poisonous apple that her evil stepmother is peddling in disguise. The dilemma now is how to get Snow to her happy ending? Abby and Josh brainstorm and work as a team with Snow and even the dwarfs pitch in. This Snow may recognize her prince when he arrives, but will not jump thoughtlessly into matrimony. A promising start to the Whatever After series.
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Tiny Craig LOVES!!!
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Okay, so I know this is not, like, high literature or anything, but I actually LOVED this audiobook and I think it's just about perfect for what it is. Teresa has been booktalking this one and I am so excited to add it to my booktalking repertoire, too.
So, when Abby's dumb little brother Jonah knocks on this weird, old mirror in the basement of their new home, Abby & Jonah are transported to a fairy tale world and find themselves wrapped up in the story of Snow White. Only, before they figure that out, they manage to totally screw up Snow White's story by saving her from eating the witch's poison apple. Now that Snow didn't eat the apple, she's not unconscious and the prince can't come and wake her up and she'll never live happily ever after! So Abby & Jonah have to figure out how to set Snow White's story to rights... and they have to figure out how to get home. Along the way, they face the evil witch (Evil Evelyn), crocodiles, and more dwarves than you can shake a stick at.
This is a light, funny fairy tale retelling, completely befitting of the series name "Whatever After". Kids looking for a spunky, funny heroine full of heart need to look no further than Abby. This is a great one for fans of fairy tale retellings and I think the reading/content level is just right for 3rd-5th grade. I'd recommend it to fans of E.D. Baker's fairy tale retellings, maybe a little younger Ella Enchanted crowd.
The audiobook recording was pretty much perfect. Narrator Emily Eidem gives life to the voice of Abby, making it lively and dramatic and very fitting to the character. Eidem impressively manages to yell and exclaim without being overly loud or annoying. She's perky without being overly so, without being nasal or annoying.
I heartily enjoyed this and I will heartily enjoy booktalking it to all kinds of third and fourth graders this year. :D -
My children absolutely love this series, and it all started with this book, which is intelligent, creative, clever -- and very funny. My only real issue with the book has to do with the cover design and not anything in the story itself. The cover, sadly, is one that turned my son off at first -- even though the series is just as delightful for boys as it is for girls. Proof: My son claimed he didn't want me to read this book to him, but whenever I read it to my daughter, he would sit in the hall outside her room, listening to every word. Eventually, he wised up and started joining us. He ended up loving the story just as much as my daughter did.
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This book is about a girl named Abby and her little brother named Jonah. They find a mirror in their basement and Jonah knocked on the mirror and then suddenly they were in a forest. After a few minutes the saw an old lady and followed her. She went to a cottage. There was a girl there and the old lady was trying to give her an apple. Jonah ran after her and asked for the apple, then he noticed that the apple was poisoned and that she was evil Evelyn. The girl said thank you and let them in. After a few minutes Abby found out the the girl was Snow White. Jonah and Abby noticed that snow didn't eat the apple, so she wouldn't fall asleep and the prince wouldn't find her. So, now Jonah and Abby have to find a way to get them to meet. They write a letter to the prince to go there, but he misses Snow and goes to the castle where evil Evelyn lives. He gets thrown in the dungeon. known Abby, Jonah, and Snow have to find a way to save him, save Snow's fairy tale, and get Abby and Jonah home.
I really like this book. I think that this is a great book for girls who like princesses and it shows that things can end in a different way, but a good way. This book as adventure and romance. I also really like how they don't stop trying until they get there. I think that if you like princesses, adventure, and romance then this is a great book for you. -
The Good Stuff
Charming and sweet
Reminded me of some of Meg Cabot's middle grade
Perfect for the reluctant reader
Loved the humour, quirky and fun (very Canadian)
It was refreshing to read a novel geared towards young girls that was sweet and innocent. It was the sort of thing I would have loved to read at that age.
I know quite a few customers at my store that will enjoy this one - sold a copy of it last week to this sweet little girl - she read the first page and said mom we have to buy this
Great opening paragraph - will hook the reader in right away - also made me giggle and I am 42
Nice twist on the fractured fairy tale genre
good role model for young girls
The Not So Good Stuff
Would have liked a little more development but hey this is written for a young girl not an old mom
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"Maybe in Smithville a room filled with books is called a media room, but it smells just like the libray in my old, normal school. Musty. Dusty. Papery."
"My whole body tenses. I do not like hissing. Especially hissing mirrors."
"That's not the real story. That's the Disney version."
Who Should/Shouldn't Read
Perfect for the reluctant reader
Fans of Meg Cabot's MG stuff will enjoy
4.25 Dewey's
I received this from Scholastic in exchange for an honest review -
This is one of the books my oldest daughter and I read together this year. For school she is suppose to read for 20 minutes a day. Because she is struggling a bit we tend to read 40 minutes but alternate pages. This book and the series that is now up to ten books is a new spin on old tales. In some ways reminiscent of the fractured fairy tales, or Tony Abbott's Cracked Classics. It is the story of two modern day kids who get transported through a magic mirror into the events of the legend or story of Sleeping Beauty.
This is the story of Abby and Jonah and their adventure. Late one night they get ported through the large mirror in the basement along with most of their parent's Legal books, and soon find themselves in a story that is familiar but not quite the same. Abby is very cautious and also very protective both of Beauty and her brother. Jonah on the other hand seems to be a jump first think later type of guy. When they stop Snow White eating the poised apple the whole story goes sideways. Soon they are trying to figure out how to set the story right. Also time in the story seems to be moving at a much slower pace than back home, for Abby's watch is moving incrementally. They have until their parents would wake up the next morning to figure this out. As such they spend a number of days trying to help Beauty and to set the story right. So the tasks they have to accomplish are:
Not get poisoned
Sneak into the evil queen's castle
Set Beauty up with the Prince
And find a way back home.
All while the clock is ticking. That is a lot of pressure on the shoulders of a two siblings far far away from home and in a place they do not really understand. And all of that on a ticking clock.
This was an interesting take on the story. The way the kids looked after and protected each other was a great example. The fact that they choose to stick around and fix their mistake instead of taking a quick way out is a great example of character and integrity. My daughter loved the premise and has since picked up a few more from this series for us to read together. She also loved some of the twists on the dwarfs. But to find that out you will need to read the book. So we have a lot of reading ahead of us. So overall a good read that I can recommend.
Read the review on my blog
Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Sarah Mlynowski. -
I have been feeling like a reading curmudgeon lately, and wasn't really expecting to like this. What a wonderful surprise! The writing, characters, and humor were just fresh and dynamic enough to make this appealing. I also like the fact that it isn't too long or involved; ust right for middle grade reluctant readers or kids who don't want their books to take forever. (I live with one of those. She'll read for hours and hours, but will not pick up books that appear long or daunting.) I could imagine giving this to a kid who likes more realistic fiction but has to read a fantasy title for school. The main character is in 5th grade, but the book will appeal to 3rd through 5th graders, I think. The first two lines of the book would make a great booktalk. I don't think it's too much of a spoiler, given that the lines are on the back cover, so here it is! "Once upon a time my life was normal. Then the mirror in our basement ate us."
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I loved it!It was cute and entertaining and quite hilarious.The perfect fairy tale twist for someone who just needs a break from any YA book.
I decided to read this book one sunday afternoon because I jusy wanted to have some fun.Apperently,this book put me in a good mood,and I loved it.It was quite relatable.A must read! -
this book is a modern twist on fairy tale that we all know, Snow White. The main character Abby and Jonah go THROUGH a mirror that hisses and turns purple. Jonah and Abby come out from the mirror and they are in Snow White's fairy tale. Jonah and Abby stopped Snow from eating the poison apple. They told the seven dwarfs and Snow her fairy tale where there from since they haven't heard aboutt it. They try to help Snow find her Prince, but Snow keeps running away and Jonah and Abby want to go home now that they've been there 6 days. Thye go to the castle that the Evil queen, they call her Evil Evelyn. They talk to her mirror which actually has a little girl named Gabrielle in there. Gabrielle told Abby and Jonah that she could take them home, although Abby and Jonah find out that Prince Trevor and Xavier are in the dungeon. They help them out of the dungeon and Prince Trevor asks Snow White to marry her. She said that they were goning to fast and they should have dinner first. Abby and Jonah found Snow's dad's will and it says that Snow is the queen when she turns 16. Evil Evelyn goes to the dungeon because she is an imposter and the new queen is Snow White and the seven dwarfs get to live with her. Abby and Jonah go home and they miss their parents.
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"Once upon a time, our life was normal. And then the mirror in our basement ate us." Ha!
I could see my 10-year-old self loving this book! I've noticed Mlynowski's deadpan sense of humor in her adult novels but I wasn't expecting so much of it in her new children's book. The humor fit in perfectly with the absurdity of the story line! The plot was shaky towards the end- I don't like it when authors resolve conflict through sheer luck. Overall, I think any little girl who enjoys fairytales would love Abby and Jonah's story. -
Much less toxic than the Disney version of Snow White, or even the Andrew Lang that I grew up on. I'm a sucker for fractured fairy tales and may be overrating this tween chick-lit, but there are little princesses out there still who would benefit from this slightly more feminist take.
LFL find. -
I thought it was an amazing book.When I started the book, I couldn't put it down!I read almost the whole series of them and I can't wait to get the ninth book.
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Really cute series both my girls (6 and 9) really liked. We will continue with the other stories.
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My childhood book 🥰😁
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5 stars ✨
"Once upon a time, our life was normal. And then the mirror in our basement ate us."
What a blast this was! Just recently heard about this series and figured my daughter would really enjoy them. So we turned on the audiobook today while baking and hanging out and we both loved it so much. Such a fun twist on Snow White - awesome series for young girls , but obviously moms will enjoy them too. We liked it so much- we laughed out loud so many times it was written with just enough emotion and humor to get anyone interested in it. My daughter begged to start the next one immediately after we finished this one. So of course we jumped right in - Looking forward to more time spent with my girl hanging out binging on this cute series together! Highly recommend! -
Hey Sar Bear! I'll give you 4 out of 5 flying birds for Fairest of All- Whatever After. If you know me you know I hate princess crap and fairytales can some times push my buttons... But I really liked this one. This was one I felt comfortable reading with my 5 year old. It's basically Snow White as a feminist, so it was pretty good. The brother and sister relationship was healthy and cute. I loved the twists in the book. I'm a total feminist but there a few times that the feminist agenda pushed too far and just took away from the story. I'm all about that feminist agenda but the story needs to flow too.
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“Well, maybe impossible things are possible?”
That is my plan. Plans make me happy. -
The first time I read this book, I was in first grade. Something about the premise, which I had learned about in an advertisement before the Scholastic book fair, struck me immediately and I had to have this book. When I bought it, I read it so much that it practically weathered in my hands. I didn't expect it to hold up when I reread it, but it exceeded my expectations.
Fairest of All by Sarah Mlynoski is a Snow White retelling. Abby and her brother Jonah have just moved into a new town, Smithville, and Abby is struggling to adjust. They get sucked into the creepy mirror in their basement one night, and find themselves in the forest, eventually managing to accidentally crash Snow White's house and stop the Evil Queen from giving her the poisoned apple, using real-life tactics and reason. They then realize that, by extension, they ruined Snow White's chances of being saved by the prince, and have to do everything in their power to fix her fairy tale.
Something this series does well is allowing Abby and Jonah to very subtly learn lessons through the fairy tales. For example, one of the main themes of this book is that Abby is struggling at her new school, and can't handle change. The fact that the fairy tale has changed completely forces Abby to think on her feet and realize that change doesn't always have to be bad. The lesson is digestable for kids, but isn't shoved down the reader's throat in the case of adults. I also think the story generally does a great job at catering to all ages. The characters and story isn't too childish, and the twists in the story are pretty fun!
Sarah Mlynoski is an amazing writer. I love the way the plot has been planned out throughout the story, but also throughout the series. We find out the name Maryrose, but we don't know her significance to the story. I also really appreciate that Mlynoski is great at continuity. She doesn't mention unnecessary information - everything will end up important, regardless of the book in which it comes to fruition. I love the idea that Abby and Jonah change the story, and we can see it in Abby's jewelry box, even in the books toward the future. I loved the ending - so much intrigue and suspense that makes the reader want to get their hands on the next book as soon as possible. Finally, I love that Mlynoski is able to casually slip in her ideals through Abby's narration. This take on Snow White is progressive (with Snow White saving her prince, the dwarf mention, and the ozone comment) and I love it.
All in all, this book was really charming and it lends itself to Sarah Mlynoski's cleverly crafted writing. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment soon! -
Abby's little brother Jonah shakes her awake in the middle of the night. He's discovered that the strange mirror in the basement of their new home starts hissing when you knock on it. Jonah excitedly knocks again, and the mirror glows purple. Abby tries to stop him, but Jonah knocks a third time, and the two siblings (along with a stack of law books and a computer chair) are sucked through the mirror into a mysterious forest. When they interrupt an old lady trying to sell an apple to a young woman in a cottage, Abby and Jonah realize they're in the fairy tale Snow White - and they messed it up. If Snow White never eats the poison apple, how will the prince find her and fall in love? Can Abby and Jonah fix the story? And how will they ever get home?
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I'm not a huge fan of series books (although I was as a kid), and the cover looks pretty girly for my taste. But this book is clever and funny, although more plot-driven and less focused on character and language. I laughed during the scene where the evil queen (dressed as an old lady) is trying to give Snow the poison apple and Jonah is oblivious and starving and yells that he'll take it. The main girl character, Abby, is a bit ditzy at times, but I liked that her dream is to be a judge and that she is determined to get Snow her happy ending.
I would suggest this book to grades 3-6, especially girls who like fantasy, fairy tales, and/or humor. I think boys would like the story, but I think they'll be put off by the cover. Two readlike series would be The Ever Afters series by Shelby Bach and the Twice Upon a Time series by Wendy Mass. Any of the many other fairy-tale-based fiction books for this age would also make good readalikes, such as Frogged by Vivian Vande Velde, The Storybook of Legends by Shannon Hale, Thrice Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris, and Half Upon a Time by James Riley. I would also hand it to fans of the Nancy Clancy chapter books because it looks girly and is a similar age/reading level. -
I gave this a four. It is a great, fun book for young girls in 2nd to 3rd grade (maybe first if you have a really advanced reader). My fourth grader read it this year for a state book competition, it was placed on the list they had to get through. I felt it was very superficial reading for fourth grade; however, it captivated her and she wanted to read the rest the series (so, what do I know!). It has lots of cute dialogue, a simply speedy plot, and fun relatable characters.
On the flipside, I almost gave this a two star rating, because I did not enjoy reading it with my children. A great book for the kids, but it leaves adults a bit bored. I enjoyed reading the Hobbit with my kids, and Out of My Mind. Books that offer a deeper story or interesting discussion.
Still, cute book. -
این کتاب یک کتابی بود که اولش مامانم اجازه نمی داد بخرم بعد از کلی تلاش رازی شد تا یکجلدش را بخرم بعد از این که خواندمش دوست داشتم تمام قسمت های دیگرش را بخرم و بخوانم مو قع ای که به مامانم داستان را گفتم فوری رفتیم و خریدیم
داستان این است که یک خواهر و برادری توی زیرزمین خانه شان یک آینه ی جادو یی پیدا می کنند آینه قورتشان می دهد و می اندازدشان توی قصه ی سفید برفی داستان از صدای ایبی شخسیت اصلی داستان است
این کتاب را بیشتر به دختر ها پیش نهاد می کنم چون بیشتر با داستان های پرنسسان آشنایی دارند
این کتاب حتی برای کسانی که علاقه ای به پرنسسان ندارند و حتی پرنسسی نمی شناسند مناسب است
اما به هر حال من پیشنهاد می کنم قبل از خریدن این مجموعه قسمت یک اش را مطاله کنید چون شاید دوست نداشته باشید
۹ ساله -
Ooh boy. I think this is a cute, funny concept & I think 3rd-5th-ish graders will really think it's hilarious. For me as an adult audiobook listener it was a little annoyingly repetitive. I think the audiobook narrator does great voice work but I ended up upping the speed just to get through the main character's repetitive complaints faster--which, again, I think the book's target audience would find each repeat increasingly funny. I also liked the new ending to the fairy tale & think it's a great choice for younger kids, but not necessarily a kids book I'd enthusiastically rec to solo adults.
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This series is asked for on what seems like an almost daily basis at my library along with the Ever After High series.
This first book was an amusing modern retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Abby and her brother Jonah accidentally change Snow White's story when they fall through a mirror in their basement and are magically swept to this Fairy Tale land, and they have to try to set things right. Some nontraditional elements added and of course a critique of the Disney version. Overall, a simple and cute story.
I don't know if I understand all the hype behind this series, but it is cute! -
➳ 4 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
it’s been a while since i read this series but i remember loving it as a kid and it kind of got me into fantasy, specifically fairytale retellings and i definitely want to reread soon 🩰
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
