My name is not Peaseblossom by Jackie French

Angus and Robertson, 2019. ISBN: 9781460754788.
(Ages 12+) Recommended. A modern retelling of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, My Name is Not Peaseblossom follows the title character who would rather be known as Pete. A member of the fairy court, Pete is known as Peaseblossom; a servant to Queen Titania. However, whenever he gets the chance, Pete time travels ahead in time to eat at his favourite pizza restaurant, The Leaning Tower of Pizza. Here, he meets a selkie named Gaela who makes the best pizza in the world. Unfazed by her magical charm, Gaela is intrigued by the stranger who refuses anchovies on his pizza and the two bond; sharing magical secrets and unknowingly falling in love. Complicating the matter is the fact that Pete can only be gone from the Fairy Court for so long, and the fact that both of them are engaged to be married to other people. Challenging the values and traditions of the Fairy Court, Pete will decide once and for all whether he can make the sacrifices necessary for his freedom.
A beautifully told tale of the role of free will, the importance of staying true to who you are, and the wonder that is true, unenchanted love, My Name is Not Peaseblossom will be adored by readers regardless of their familiarity with Shakespeare's tale. With relatable, charming and multi-layered characters, this novel encourages the reader to temporarily live in an enthralling, magical world that they will be sad to leave when the last page turns.
Daniella Chiarolli