About the Author

Odessa Sawyer is an illustrator from Santa Fe, New Mexico. She works mainly in digital mixed media, utilizing digital painting, photography, and traditional pen and ink. Odessa's work has graced book covers from many top publishing houses, and she has also done work for various film and television projects, posters, and album covers. Highly influenced by fantasy, fairy tales, fashion, and classic horror, Odessa's work celebrates a whimsical, dreamy and vibrant quality. Beth Bracken is an award-winning author of books for children of all ages, from her Mom's Choice-winning Henry Helps books for toddlers to the critically acclaimed Faerieground series for middle-grade readers. Her picture book Too Shy for Show-and-Tell was one of the 2013 Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year in the Under-Five category. Beth lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her husband and their two children.

Reviews

Book four of the "Faerieground" series is cloaked in mystery and magic. . . .fans of the series will be sitting on the edge of their seats waiting to discover the lies and truths surrounding Lucy and Soli's childhoods. Spellbinding full-page mixed-media illustrations are generously scattered through the text adding to the ethereal and mysterious quality of the story. This book features several elements of a high-low reader including sparsely printed text and short, simple sentences to assist reluctant readers but still manages to feel mature enough for an older reading audience. This book is perfect for children who are interested in embarking into the fantasy genre but are not ready for the more complex story lines and advanced vocabulary.-- "Children's Literature Comprehensive"

In this fantasy series, best friends Soli and Lucy have done everything together for as long as they can remember. Lucy is the more extroverted and social half of the BFF twosome, while Soli has the more introverted and quiet personality. Despite their differences, they are similar in many ways. From one day to the next, their friendship is tested by a boy they both equally fancy. After speaking to him on several occasions, Soli mentions her interest, and Lucy insists that she can inquire about his feelings for her. When the boy kisses Lucy, Soli runs away to the Willow Forest, where she wishes Lucy would disappear for her betrayal. Lucy finds herself in a world from which she cannot escape, and Soli is forced to follow her into the Willow Forest to save her. The series follows the individual girls as they each play a role in their fate. They encounter a dungeon, faeries, a queen who cannot be trusted, and a story older than they are. In their hands, they hold the fate of the faerie land, their friendship, and their lives. This enchanting and interesting story written in four parts by two authors includes a splash of the mysterious and enchanted with a helping of teenage angst in a world said not to exist. In their teenage world of school, boys, and best friends, what is a little faerie land to make life more interesting? The series addresses issues of friendship and trust and is appropriate for any reader who enjoys the mystical and magical worlds. As an added bonus, the text allows for easy readability for individuals learning English as a second language, reluctant readers, or those with dyslexia. The books are accompanied by vivid pictures throughout, adding to the pleasant layout. The story evolves simply and centers on two characters' rites of passage. This author duo packs a literary punch into the enchanted world of faeries.-- "VOYA"

This fantasy series is really one story divided into four pieces, written for hi-lo readers. It has an exciting element that will keep reluctant readers going. The numerous illustrations by Odessa Sawyer are magically intriguing. Soli and Lucy are best friends, but have a falling out. While in the Faerie woods, Soli wishes Lucy away, and she disappears. So ends the first book. Soli and Lucy discover that Soli is the daughter of the Queen, who is human, and the good Faierie King. These four stories will find a place in a middle or high school setting where very low level books are needed. There is excitement, adventure, magic, and a bit of romance. The series, written by Beth Bracken and Kay Fraser, is done well and will entertain those readers who might not otherwise be able to handle a lot of fantasy. Recommended.-- "Library Media Connection"