One of the most extraordinary works of fantasy, for adults or
children, published so far this century.--Time magazine on the
Fairyland series
Twelve-year-old September lives in Omaha, and used to have an ordinary
life, until her father went to war and her mother went to work. One day,
September is met at her kitchen window by a Green Wind (taking the form
of a gentleman in a green jacket), who invites her on an adventure,
implying that her help is needed in Fairyland. The new Marquess is
unpredictable and fickle, and also not much older than September. Only
September can retrieve a talisman the Marquess wants from the enchanted
woods, and if she doesn't . . . then the Marquess will make life
impossible for the inhabitants of Fairyland. September is already making
new friends, including a book-loving Wyvern and a mysterious boy named
Saturday.
With exquisite illustrations by acclaimed artist Ana Juan, Fairyland
lives up to the sensation it created when author Catherynne M. Valente
first posted it online as a serialized novel. For readers of all ages
who love the charm of Alice in Wonderland and the soul of The Golden
Compass, here is a reading experience unto itself: unforgettable, and
so very beautiful.
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making is
the first book in the Fairyland series by Catherynne M. Valente, with
beautiful black-and-white illustrations by Ana Juan. Catherynne M.
Valente is the New York Times bestselling author of the Fairyland
series, for young readers, and the author of many books for adults,
including Radiance.
The adventures continue in the rest of the Fairyland series, including
The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There (Volume
Two), The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland and Cut the Moon in Two
(Volume Three), The Boy Who Lost Fairyland (Volume Four), and The
Girl Who Raced Fairyland All the Way Home (Volume Five.) Not since Oz
has there been a land, or a cast of characters, so rich and entrancing.
This deluxe paperback edition contains bonus materials, including
interviews with the author and the illustrator.
A New York Times Bestseller
A Publishers Weekly Best Children's Fiction Title
Winner, Andre Norton Award for YA Science Fiction and Fantasy
A National Public Radio Best Middle-Grade Book of the Year
A National Public Radio Top Five Science Fiction/Fantasy Title of the
Year
An Amazon Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book of the Year
A Booklist Editors' Choice
A New York Public Library Top 100 Books for Reading and Sharing
"A glorious balancing act between modernism and the Victorian Fairy
Tale, done with heart and wisdom." --Neil Gaiman, Newbery
Award-winning author of The Graveyard Book
"September is a clever, fun, stronghearted addition to the ranks of
bold, adventurous girls. Valente's subversive storytelling is sheer
magic." --Tamora Pierce, author of The Immortals series
"A mad, toothsome romp of a fairy tale--full of oddments, whimsy,
and joy." --Holly Black, author of the Spiderwick Chronicles
"When I saw that this book reminds me simultaneously of E. Nesbit, James
Thurber, and the late Eva Ibbotson, I don't mean to take anything away
from its astonishing originality. It's a charmer from the first page,
managing the remarkable parlay of being at once ridiculously funny and
surprisingly suspenseful. Catherynne Valente is a find, at any age!"
--Peter S. Beagle, author of The Last Unicorn
"This is a kind of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by way of Alice's
Adventures in Wonderland--it's the sort of book one doesn't want to
end." --Publishers Weekly, starred review
"[Fairyland creates] a world as bizarre and enchanting as any
Wonderland or Oz and a heroine as curious, resourceful and brave as any
Alice or Dorothy. Complex, rich and memorable." --Kirkus Reviews,
starred review
