cover image The Fairy-Tale Matchmaker

The Fairy-Tale Matchmaker

E.D. Baker. Bloomsbury, $16.99 (352p) ISBN 978-1-61963-140-3

Cory Feathering is a reluctant tooth fairy, following in her mother’s footsteps and joining the Tooth Fairy Guild, despite her lack of interest in tooth collection. A bad night on the job helps Cory realize that it’s time to quit the guild, much to her mother’s dismay and the guild’s horror. Both parties begin to harass Cory, who moves in with her uncle and stands her ground amid increasing threats from the guild. Cory puts her energy into odd jobs while she figures out what she is meant to do, something she believes will involve truly helping people (Cory’s recurring hazy visions of friends meeting their soulmates just might offer her a clue). The story moves slowly, filled with details of fey life and meetings with fairy-tale and nursery-rhyme characters like Humpty Dumpty and Little Red Riding Hood, who get amusing and clever backstories (Red models outerwear, Jack Horner owns a cafe). Baker’s (A Question of Magic) fans will easily relate to Cory’s struggle to define her own path and identity. Ages 8–14. (Oct.)