Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Fourth Grade Fairy
    Fourth Grade Fairy
    Fourth Grade Fairy
    Ebook130 pages1 hour

    Fourth Grade Fairy

    By Eileen Cook

    5/5

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    All Willow Doyle wants is to be normal, to fit in at her new school, and to have a best friend. But there’s no way Willow will ever be normal. There isn’t anything normal about her or the Doyle family.

    Willow comes from a long line of fairy godmothers and she’s expected to be one too when the time comes. (At the moment she’s merely sprite status.) Maybe that would be cool if it were like the old days when the humans -- known as humdrums -- knew fairy godmothers existed and the fairies didn’t have to keep their fairy status secret. Now they’re stuck helping humans who don’t even believe in them. Rather than help normals, Willow would rather be human. She’s sick of being weird.

    When she's given the chance to attend a humdrum elementary school for two weeks, this is Willow's chance to finally experience a normal life -- but will she be able to fit in? And can she find her best friend there, even if her parents discourage making friends with humans?
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAladdin
    Release dateApr 19, 2011
    ISBN9781416998143
    Fourth Grade Fairy
    Author

    Eileen Cook

    Eileen Cook spent most of her teen years wishing she were someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer. She is the author of The Almost Truth, Unraveling Isobel, The Education of Hailey Kendrick, Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood, and What Would Emma Do? as well as the Fourth Grade Fairy series. She lives in Vancouver with her husband and dogs. Visit her at EileenCook.com.

    Related to Fourth Grade Fairy

    Titles in the series (3)

    View More
    View More

    Related ebooks

    Children's Fairy Tales & Folklore For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      One Week Wonder

      Jul 1, 2021

      One Week Wonder
      3 min read

    • Article

      A Spooktacular Party!

      Oct 6, 2021

      A Spooktacular Party!
      4 min read

    • Article

      GHOST In The HOUSE

      Oct 1, 2021

      GHOST In The HOUSE
      7 min read

    • Article

      The Best Apple Crisp in the World

      Jul 1, 2020

      The Best Apple Crisp in the World
      2 min read

    • Article

      That’s Funny!

      Jun 9, 2020

      That’s Funny!
      1 min read

    • Article

      The Sunchild

      Aug 5, 2020

      The Sunchild
      4 min read

    • Article

      The Warnings of Shinpai

      Jan 1, 2019

      The Warnings of Shinpai
      4 min read

    • Article

      Star Boy

      Aug 4, 2021

      Star Boy
      3 min read

    • Article

      Making A Difference!

      Nov 3, 2021

      The George Oliver Foundation works with charities supporting children and young people in need in the UK and internationally. They provide grants to many different organisations that are working to support and improve physical and mental well-being f

      1 min read

    • Article

      Dream Home for Earthworms

      Apr 1, 2022

      “What’s in your pocket, Oscar?” asked Rosie. “Did you catch another toad?” Mom came out of the garage, a pot of zinnias in each hand. “Oh, Oscar. Please be careful! I don’t want any of your little friends ending up in the washing machine!” Oscar rea

      3 min read

    • Article

      Word Warrior Competition 2021

      Nov 4, 2021

      He is back … and you are invited to spend some time with Detective Nkomba! Enter the Word Warrior 2021 Competition NOW! Show us the end result of your in-depth interview in a written piece of no longer than three pages. 1. Set the scene: are you a ta

      2 min read

    • Article

      Golden Crested Crane

      Jul 1, 2021

      Golden Crested Crane
      4 min read

    • Article

      Doodlebug & Dandelion Sushi Dragon

      Sep 1, 2021

      Doodlebug & Dandelion Sushi Dragon
      3 min read

    • Article

      The Griffin

      Nov 4, 2020

      The Griffin
      3 min read

    • Article

      Solving the COVID-19 Puzzle

      Mar 1, 2022

      Solving the COVID-19 Puzzle
      6 min read

    • Article

      Operation Unicorn

      Nov 4, 2020

      Operation Unicorn
      4 min read

    • Article

      Gemma Levels Up

      Aug 4, 2021

      Gemma Levels Up
      4 min read

    • Article

      The Llama Pyjama Drama

      Apr 8, 2020

      The Llama Pyjama Drama
      3 min read

    • Article

      Sonic Maze-ia Plus

      May 9, 2021

      Sonic Maze-ia Plus
      1 min read

    • Article

      Tata’s Coyotes

      Jan 1, 2022

      Tata’s Coyotes
      3 min read

    • Article

      The Stonemason’s Sons

      Feb 1, 2024

      The Stonemason’s Sons
      4 min read

    • Article

      The Enchanted Stag

      Nov 3, 2021

      The Enchanted Stag
      4 min read

    • Article

      Snow Pony

      Jan 1, 2021

      Snow Pony
      2 min read

    • Article

      I Forgot My Children

      Dec 31, 2019

      I Forgot My Children
      4 min read

    • Article

      Eating Green

      Mar 1, 2019

      Eating Green
      2 min read

    • Article

      Matthias And The Dragons

      Sep 1, 2021

      Matthias And The Dragons
      3 min read

    • Article

      The Incredible Pet Project

      Oct 7, 2020

      The Incredible Pet Project
      4 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Fourth Grade Fairy

    5/5

    9 ratings2 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      These are the things Willow knows:

      * Her older sister is a perfectly prissy pain in her hindquarters.
      *A dog would be a perfect companion for her.
      *Ten (or the big ONE-OH) is the most important birthday ever.
      * Having a best best friend would be the greatest birthday present in the world!

      Those are the thoughts jumbled around in Willow Doyle's head as we follow her through the story. If you're thinking that this sounds like an adorable story, you would be correct!

      Young readers will find a lot to love in Fourth Grade Fairy. Although Willow faces the additional challenge of growing into some pretty big fairy god-mothering shoes, she still has the same issues as all girls this age. She explores the issue of friendship, namely how to find a real friend. She is also trying to figure out how she fits into her family. See Willow's older sister Lucinda is perfect and of course her parents adore her. Where does that leave a girl who seems to always be a step behind? Willow's inner monologue is simply fantastic. I could definitely believe that she was a nine (almost ten) year old just trying to find her way in life. Add in her silly sense of humor and you have one fantastic read!

      The supporting characters in Willow's life are perfectly written as well, and fit in just where they need to. From her supportive grandmother, to the friends of the popular girl in school, they are all there in vivid color. Each character is so realistic that it's like stepping back into elementary school. So many memories came flooding back for me. Even the cast of animal characters is adorably believable. I'm not saying that I think animals can talk (or am I?) but I am saying that they are part of Willow's support group. An adorable part at that! Truth be told, they kind of steal the show.

      I think young readers will have a simply delightful time reading this book, and older readers will see the deeper meaning in Willow's story. Colorful writing and a sweet story blend together to create one very enjoyable read for young and old readers alike! A great reminder of the lessons we all learn as children, Eileen Cook has written a gem in Fourth Grade Fairy! I cannot wait for the next installment and see what other kinds of trouble Willow can get herself into!
    • 5/5
      Fourth Grade FairyMany years ago, humans and fairies were friends...until something bad happened. Some fairies decided it was more fun to play tricks on humans instead of grant wishes, which was their calling. Push came to shove and it was no longer safe to remain exposed to the newly named “humdrums” and so the fairies banded together and used their magic to cast a hiding spell, allowing them to blend in but remain in plain site to carry out their duties. The relationships between these two groups have been non-existent for many years, the thought of friendship lost in time…at least until now.Willow is a progressive fairy whose heartfelt wish is…to have a best friend. Good thing her birthday is coming up because that’s the perfect time for wishes! It’s not that she doesn’t have best friends currently, she does; Sasha and Adele to put names to their roles. The only thing is that they were best friends with each other first and so Willow often feels left out of the loop. Her solution? Well, since there seems to be a short supply of “single” fairies, making friends with a humdrum should do the trick as they are always looking for a new friend! Oh if it were only that simple…. The cover leads you to believe a cute little book lies within and it does not disappoint. When Willow first arrived at the humdrum school, her sights were initially set on becoming friends with the popular girls and learns from that mistake later on …but life is a learning experience after all (something her sister Lucinda learns the hard way after being a bit too much of a know-it-all). The supporting characters are wonderfully written as well and suit their roles perfectly. From the popular girls to the not-so-popular individuals, from Grandma Doyle to her sister Lucinda, their really isn’t one that you encounter living what you’d describe as falsely. Then we have the cast of animal characters who frankly they steal the show at times. From Lester the hamster to Winston the Scottie, Louise the cat and a grumbly old parrot, this motley crew is fantastic...and surprisingly more helpful than they first seem. Younger readers will enjoy the story at face value, revealing in the magic and fun; older readers will know who the "real" friend is right off the bat, but that comes with experience of course...and certainly does nothing to detract from the book. All in all, a wonderful book for readers of all ages plus a great reminder of our core lessons from childhood. It’s not what is on the outside, but what is inside that counts, illustrated wonderfully here...plus, being prejudice about something or someone based on a past encounter is simply bad judgment. Giving everyone their fair shake is the only way to go because you never really know what “magic” you’ll uncover in the most unlikely of places. The first book in the new "Fourth Grade Fairy" series, scheduled for release mid April. Happy reading!*read via Simon & Schuster Galley Grab ARC

    Book preview

    Fourth Grade Fairy - Eileen Cook

    one

    Why having an older sister is a pain:

    • She never lets you touch her stuff.

    • She bosses you around all the time.

    • She acts like she knows everything.

    • Your parents will let her do all kinds of things that you aren’t allowed to do.

    • She gets all the new outfits and you have to wear hand-me-downs (even though her favorite color is green, which you hate).

    I can think of a lot more reasons, but I would need more paper. Everyone is always surprised to find out Lucinda is my sister. This is because stuff has never spilled on her shirt and her hair never sticks up. She always remembers to say thank you, please, and excuse me. My sister always has her homework done on time, she never snorts when she laughs. Oh, and she can fly.

    My sister is a pain.

    I lay underneath the hedge in front of my school so I could peek out onto the sidewalk. There was large sign announcing COTTINGLEY FAIRY ACADEMY: TRAINING SPRITES IN THE ART OF FAIRY GODMOTHERING SINCE 1254. Of course the sign was enchanted, so when any humans looked over all they saw was the brass plaque that said cottingley private school in front of a small brick building. Our actual school was the size of a castle, but obviously that would stick out, so it was enchanted too.

    A group of kids were coming. I hunkered down so they wouldn’t see me. It was the same group that walked by every morning on the way to their school. I’d been studying them since the summer. As a fairy godmother to-be, I was focused on learning all about humans, or humdrums as we called them, even though I was still only sprite status 2. It was important if I was going to be able to grant wishes someday.

    Willow? What are you doing down there? My sister wrinkled up her nose. Your clothes are getting all dirty.

    I spun around to glare at her. Why did my sister have to be so nosy and so loud? I motioned for her to be quiet. The girl named Miranda was in the middle of all of her friends. I scribbled down in my notebook what she was wearing.

    Are you spying on them? Lucinda asked loud enough so they turned around to look as they went by. I scooted out from under the hedge quickly and whacked against the school sign. I stood up, brushing off my shirt. There was a big grass stain on the sleeve.

    I told you you’d get dirty. Lucinda crossed her arms. She was only thirteen, but she acted like she was all grown up. Why don’t you read about Humdrums in books like everyone else?

    I like them; they’re interesting.

    Another girl wandered by, singing out loud with her music player. She would take a couple steps, stop and do a shimmy dance, and then start walking again. Her outfit had every color in the rainbow. Lucinda looked at me with one eyebrow raised.

    Okay, I admit, she’s a weird one, but those other girls were interesting.

    The girl saw us standing by the school gate. She took out her earphones and waved as she walked past. Hi!

    Lucinda’s mouth pressed into a thin line before giving a stiff wave back. Great, now the Humdrum is paying attention to us.

    This isn’t my fault. I hoped I wouldn’t get in trouble. Fairies weren’t supposed to attract human attention.

    Just like the mud all over your uniform isn’t your fault?

    Before I could say anything, my shirt puffed out with a whistle of wind and all the dirt and mud popped off and drifted back to the ground.

    I spun around. Grandma! She was leaning against the school gate, her silver hair pulled back into a bun.

    We’re not supposed to use magic to grant our own wishes, Lucinda said. It’s against the rules. Number 10.4.01A.

    Grandmas are allowed to break rules. Grandma gave me a wink. Especially when our granddaughters have a big birthday coming up.

    Lucinda’s mouth pinched shut. She was not a fan of breaking the rules. I also didn’t think she’s a big fan of fun. I didn’t have much when she was around, that’s for sure.

    Are you coming to school today? I asked. My grandma had a full time wish-granting job in the human world as the principal of the Humdrum school, but sometimes she would teach a class for us.

    I just stopped by to drop off some cupcakes. Grandma pulled a box tied with pink twine out from behind her back. In glittery letters it said across the top ENCHANTED SUGAR BAKERY.

    I clapped my hands together. Enchanted Sugar was the best bakery in town, even the Humdrums thought so. My mom owned the bakery and made the best cupcakes in the whole world.

    Her birthday isn’t until tomorrow, Lucinda pointed out.

    I think birthday cupcakes belong on Monday, it makes the week sweeter. Besides, I wanted to give you my present early. She pulled a thick silver envelope covered with polka dots from her pocket.

    I peeled the flap of the envelope open and slid out a thick piece of white paper. In shiny gold writing it said:

    THIS CERTIFICATE ENTITLES WILLOW THALIA DOYLE

    CENTERTO ATTEND RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

    (A HUMDRUM SCHOOL) FOR A PERIOD OF TWO WEEKS.

    My mouth fell open. I threw my arms around Grandma. This was going to be the best birthday ever!

    two

    There were three things I wanted for my birthday:

    1. To be an only child

    2. To have a dog

    3. To make a best friend of my very own

    Even though I want to be an only child, there is no way my parents would get rid of my older sister. They seem to really like her. However, I was hoping the other two would come true. I know two things sounds like a lot, but it’s my tenth birthday. That’s a big deal. The big one-oh. Double digits. If there was a time to get what you really want, then this would be it.

    I was supposed to be paying attention to our class on magical history, but I couldn’t stop thinking about my grandma’s present. I stuck my hand in my skirt pocket to touch the envelope to prove to myself it was real. I couldn’t wait to get home and figure out what I would wear tomorrow.

    Willow?

    My head snapped up. Ms. Sullivan, our teacher, and the rest of my class were all staring at me.

    Yes, Ma’am?

    I asked you to list the main causes of the Hiding.

    I relaxed, at least it was an easy question. Hundreds of years ago Humdrums and fairies had been friends. Then some fairies decided it was more fun to play tricks on humans instead of granting wishes. The Humdrums didn’t like that at all and tried to lock up all the fairies they could find. Fairies had to go into hiding until Humdrums forgot we existed at all. We used magic to blend in, to disappear right under their noses, just like our school. Now they thought we were just imaginary. The Department of Fairy Safety decided it was safer that way and it would be better to avoid getting too close. The whole thing was messed up if you asked me. How were we supposed to grant wishes for Humdrums if we didn’t really know them?

    Ms. Sullivan, what do you think Humdrums would do if they knew we existed? I asked, ignoring her question.

    A boy in our class, Milo, grabbed his throat and fell into the aisle pretending to choke. He rolled back and forth, making faces. The two Van Elder twins started giggling. They were boy crazy. Even over Milo, who used to pick his nose up until last year. Ms. Sullivan rapped her desk with her wand and everyone went silent. No one messed with Ms. Sullivan when she had her wand out.

    Milo, you should try out for the Academy play if you want to practice your dramatics. As for your question, Willow, you don’t need to worry about the Humdrums figuring out you’re a fairy while you are on your Humdrum visit. I’m sure it will go just fine.

    Trumpets blasted in the hallway, indicating school was over. Everyone stuffed their books in their cubby and started to

    Enjoying the preview?
    Page 1 of 1