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The Fairy's Mistake



Last updated Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Author: Gail Carson Levine
Date of Publication: 1999
ISBN: 0060280603
Grade Level: 5th    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Sep. 2009

Synopsis: In The Fairy's Mistake, Ethelinda is horrified to discover that her fairy blessing on the kind Rosella, that jewels fall from her mouth when she speaks, is being exploited by her greedy new husband, Prince Harold. Her curse on Rosella's sister, Myrtle, who drops slimy and creepy things from her mouth when she speaks, is also going awry; Myrtle uses this to get whatever she wants from people. The Princess Test takes on Lorelei's ability to feel a pea under 20 mattresses: this young thing is a great trial to her family as she is allergic to, or injures herself with, almost every household item she touches. Genuinely delightful and funny, both tales are set in the village of Snettering-on-Snoakes in the Kingdom of Biddle, a place readers will want to visit again. From Amazon.com

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Have you heard of the Author’s other books – "Ella Enchanted?"
•  Did you know it was a movie too?
•  What do you think is happening to the girl in the red dress?
•  Do the girls look similar?

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Have you ever gotten something you really wanted, and become disappointed when it wasn’t everything you’d hoped it would be?
•  How did it make you feel?
•  Did you do anything to make the best of the situation?

Craft ideas:
•  Take a piece of paper and cut fringe out of one side of the paper. Roll the paper into a tight tube with the fringe creating a magic fairy wand. Maybe they can cut out a paper with their initial on it and place it on the wand, similar to Ethelinda's.
•  Roll up a piece of colored paper like a megaphone, and then draw bugs, snakes, etc. and/or colorful jewels all over it.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!