A Perfect View

Gr 1–4—In this third installment in the series about a Latina girl who discovers she is a fairy, 10-year-old Cici is still learning about her powers, including fairy sight, which allows her to see her mother as part octopus, her father as part bear, and her dog as part dragon. Her abuela, or grandmother, tells Cici that this ability will help guide her through life, from coping with her parents' divorce to making new pals. Cici is excited as she sets out on a camping trip with her father, her little sister, her friend Kendra, and her dog, but her grandmother cautions her that nature is a powerful force with magic all its own and emphasizes the importance of having the right attitude. However, Cici has difficulty remembering her grandmother's advice, and things go increasingly wrong, partly thanks to a forest sprite. Though the girl reaches her breaking point, she soon realizes that things aren't so bad, and readers will appreciate her resilient spirit. While this work is set in the world of magic and fantasy, Cici and the problems she encounters are relatable. The artwork is cartoonish and resplendent with color, and Spanish words appear throughout the text.