Forever Fairies – Nova Shimmers

Forever Fairies – Nova Shimmers by Maddy Mara (ProQuest LLC) ISBN: 9781761521577 RRP $14.99

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

Nova Shimmers is the second book listed in the Forever Fairies series. However, having not read the first book, this book still stood on its own merit and was just as easy and enjoyable to read as a stand-alone book.

Nova and her friends must pass a particular fairy challenge that allows them to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of fairy medicine. With the unexpected resistance from some trolls, Nova and her friends learn a couple of other important lessons as well.

With short chapters, well-spaced lines and scattered illustrations, this book has a great layout for any reader to enjoy. Throw in a mix of fairy folk, trolls, magic spells and a high stakes challenge; Nova Shimmers has delightful appeal for anyone who loves the fairy world.

Mara has also included some subtle reminders in the book through the Forever Fairies about friendship, teamwork and the importance of cooperation to work together and get any job done. Mara also reminds the reader that as Nova and her friends, Lulu, Coco and Zali find their way through the tryouts, we each have our own strengths which are important to recognise and nurture.

Forever Fairies – Nova Shimmers is suitable for a 7+ readership.

Dragon Games: The Thunder Egg

Dragon Games: The Thunder Egg by Maddy Mara. Scholastic Australia 2023. Paperback RRP $12.00. e-book RRP $6.38. ISBN 9781760262020.

Reviewed by Debra Williams

This is the first in a new series by the writing duo, Maddy Mara, the pen name of writers Hilary Rogers and Meredith Badger, who have released several bestselling children’s book series, including The Dragon Girls.

Dragon Games: The Thunder Egg is a chapter book. Three classmates, Luca, Yazmine, and Zane are asked to stay behind one lunchtime, for reasons unknown, by their teacher, Ms Long. The teacher often tells tales of a supposedly imaginary land called Imperia. The classroom is old-fashioned, containing a blackboard and a locked glass display cabinet which contains various objects, including a football-sized rock that Ms Long refers to as a geode, also known as a Thunder Egg. She has warned her students that if any of them interfere with the egg, they will find themselves “in a whole world of trouble.”

As the students await her arrival, they stare quizzically at a strange drawing on the blackboard containing things which look like a crown, a tooth, and a fork. The three students try to work it out and suddenly realise it’s a sketch of a map of Imperia, and so they say the name aloud together. As they do, the glass cabinet unlocks, and the thunder egg rolls forward. One of the students catches it and throws it to another. Lights flicker, colours flash and nobody understands what is happening.

Thus begins a fantastic and dangerous, adventurous game. The three find themselves elsewhere, and dramatically changed. Eventually they realise that the Thunder Egg has taken them to Imperia and needs to be taken home to a secret location. Through seemingly impossible obstacles, threatening creatures, perilous journeys and an evil ruler, the classmates move ahead in the quest. Will they achieve the mission and survive?

This story is guaranteed to thrill young readers 7+ years of age. The authors have left the ending ready to lead into the next adventure in the series. Five stars.

Phoebe the Moonlight Dragon

Phoebe the Moonlight Dragon (Dragon Girls Book 8) by Maddy Mara (Scholastic) Paperback RRP $12.99 ISBN 9781761 291753

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Dragon Girls is a new series that celebrates everyday girls: it reveals each girl’s secret dragon power as they embark on adventures.

Maddy Mara is the pen name for Australian creatives, Hilary Rogers, and Meredith Badger. They’ve been collaborating on children’s books for nearly two decades. Hilary Rogers is an author and former publishing director. She’s created several series that have sold into the millions. Meredith Badger is an author of many books for both kids and adults. Dragon Girls is their first joint writing venture under the pen name Maddy Mara.

Phoebe the Moonlight Dragon takes us inside the heart of Phoebe as she finds courage and becomes the dragon leader in a secret mission: To save the Magic Forest from the evil Fire Sparks who steal the Dreamlets and threaten the delicate balance between night and day. Phoebe must overcome her fears and ignite her dragon powers.  United in friendship, Phoebe, Rosie, and Stella enter the magic forest when The Tree Queen, who rules the Magic Forest, calls upon them for help. Once there the girls transform into dragons and combine their own unique dragon powers to rescue the Dreamlets.

Maddy Mara knows their targeted readership: the simplicity of the text in this book is a perfect match. Each sentence adds layer upon layer to the storyline. The language is direct and there are no superfluous words. The three girls did everything together, including sleepover club on Friday nights. The story is told from Phoebe’s perspective and the shorter sentences keep the reader engaged and pace the story well. The dialogue is used sparingly and with much impact. ‘Hold on, Dreamlets,’ she called. ‘It’s time to fly.’ But what is most unique about this story is the imaginative world creation and its believability and how it immerses the reader. The Dreamlets, Cloudlike creatures, Sky Shimmers, and Dream Clouds are incredibly clever.  

Phoebe the Moonlight Dragon is a fantastical fantasy read for children aged 6 to 9 years. The larger font text is generously spaced and has illustrations which will support younger independent readers. There are more books in the series to keep a child hooked, which is appealing to parents, teachers, and librarians. This is a book that would make a great gift for any budding young reader.