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    The Children's Book Review

    Review: Dust Girl: The American Fairy Trilogy Book 1

    Amanda LynchBy Amanda Lynch2 Mins Read Ages 9-12 Books with Girl Characters Chapter Books Fantasy: Supernatural Fiction Music Teens: Young Adults
    Young Adult Book: Dust Girl
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    The Children’s Book Review
    Published: August 23, 2012

    Young Adult Book: Dust GirlDust Girl 

    By Sarah Zettel

    Reading level: Ages 12 and up

    Hardcover: 304 pages

    Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (June 26, 2012)

    What to expect: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Magic, Jazz & Blues

    I confess, I judged Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel a little unfairly—I made the mistake of reading the book flap and the author biography and I groaned inwardly. It seemed to be doing too much, first by incorporating a sci-fi/fantasy story in the setting of the Dust Bowl-era in Kansas. Then she threw racism into the mix, and for good measure developed a relationship between a half-black girl and a Jewish boy, and wove it all together with a tapestry of fairy lore.

    However, after three days of being unable to put the book down, I completely fell in love with the story and the characters, and left feeling bereft and thankful that there will be two more books in this trilogy. Because this engaging story (with a fabulous ragtime soundtrack) is an engaging, exhausting romp that will leave the reader wanting more.

    Callie LeRoux lives in a hotel in Slow Run, Kansas, slowly dying of dust pneumonia. Her mother, who runs the hotel, refuses to leave because she is convinced that Callie’s father will someday return to them. Then one day, her mother mysteriously vanishes in a dust storm—and Callie is confronted by a Native American man who miraculously heals her from the disease that was killing her and tells her she must embrace her identity and her destiny, and go find her parents out in California. Accompanied by a young hobo named Jack, Callie sets off on her quest—only to encounter humanoid locusts, warring fairy factions, and a zombie-like bull marshall who wants her and Jack dead. Because Callie, as it turns out, isn’t exactly human, and Jack is hiding a secret or two of his own.

    The book is extremely fast-paced, barely allowing you any time to breathe between the calamities that befall Callie and Jack. While there are strong themes of loyalty to family, Callie and Jack are on a journey where they can’t trust anyone, which adds to the tense, exciting atmosphere of the novel. I am eagerly awaiting the second installment of this series.

    Add this book to your collection: Dust Girl: The American Fairy Trilogy Book 1

    What to Read Next:

    1. Best Children’s Books of 2009 … Beyond the Half-Way Mark
    2. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
    3. The Art of Character Development
    4. The Stone Lions by Gwen Dandridge | Dedicated Review

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Fairies Sarah Zettel
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    Amanda Lynch
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    Amanda Lynch is a writer, editor, and blogger who grew up in Florida knowing she belonged somewhere else. She now lives in the DC Metro Area with her husband and three amazing little boys. She is the Eco-Friendly/Green Living Contributor over at the Prime Parents' Club and strives to live earth friendly in a world of disposable diapers. When not writing about Anabel and Jared or chasing around a curly-haired boy, she cheers for the Gators (in all kinds of weather) and occasionally remembers to sleep. You can also find her on Facebook, or on Twitter as @thebookprincess.

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