The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz

Ill. by Angela Barrett, Candlewick, 2010. ISBN: 9780763636746.
(Age 8+) Highly recommended. Flory the fairy was born at night and, unlike many other night fairies, had beautiful wings. Before she was three months old, the wings were crunched by a bat, leaving her to adapt to a whole new way of life and having to find the best way to survive. In the garden, created by a 'giantess', Flory settled into a nesting box which had been hung for the wrens and began to observe the visitors to the garden and its bird feeders. Here, Flory decides to live as a day fairy and, when a squirrel comes to threaten her, she begins to develop the magical abilities which will ensure her safety when she meets other creatures. Finally, she comes to build new friendships and alliances allowing her to grow and come to accept herself.
This is a gentle, magical adventure story about a feisty little fairy and should appeal to the young but more capable female readers, aged about 8 and up. Schlitz's story contains small adventures in each chapter, set out with double spacing to make it accessible to the younger child. There is sufficient action to keep the audience engrossed and is beautifully supported by Barrett's beautiful full colour illustrations, with at least one appearing in every chapter and a thumbnail print at the beginning of each. A highly recommended read.
Jo Schenkel