About the Author

You have not read Laurel Snyder's first book, The Very Naughty Unicorn, because it was hand-written and ripped to shreds by a boy named Henry when Laurel was only eight. A graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, she and her family live in Atlanta, Georgia, in a little brick house with a pale green door. Visit her online at www.laurelsnyder.com.


From the Hardcover edition.

Reviews

Gr 3-6-An adventurous young milkmaid named Lucy decides to climb the Scratchy Mountains to learn more about her mother, who vanished many years before. At the top of a mountain she discovers a town dominated by unnecessary rules, where the weather runs on schedule, and the townspeople live in alphabetical order. Lucy's friend Wynston, who is the prince of their small town, and who is supposed to be looking for a suitable princess to marry, follows her up the mountain and helps her rescue her pet prairie dog. As they work together, their spirited friendship blossoms. Ultimately, they discover that it's okay to bend rules if not break them. This fairy tale, set in a time "before television and interstate highways" in the land of Bewilderness, has appealing characters who grow and develop; clear, accessible language; lively dialogue; and a light humorous tone. While the pacing is a little slow and the central message somewhat heavy-handed, children may enjoy the whimsical setting and the sweet friendship that blossoms between the protagonists.-Mari Pongkhamsing, St. Perpetua School, Lafayette, CA Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.