★ 09/20/2021

Ever since her twin brother Winter vanished last year, cued-white Autumn Malog, 12, whose family serves as beastkeepers for the Inglenook School of Magic, has been unwilling to accept his purported death. Then she encounters brown-skinned Cai Morrigan, 12, the school’s most famous student, whom prophecies claim will slay the dread Hollow Dragon, which has for years terrorized the bordering Gentlewood. Though staff and students are discouraged from socializing, Cai makes a bargain with Autumn: he’ll use his knowledge of Inglenook to assist her in finding Winter, whom she believes may be magically trapped in the school, if she helps Cai overcome his fear of dragons. But as their quest takes them into the property’s dark secrets, they begin to suspect there’s more to Cai and the prophecy than anyone expected. In this lively fantasy, Fawcett (The Language of Ghosts) plays with familiar tropes (magical schools, chosen ones), centering a female protagonist, a fresh take on heroics, and a clearly built world layered with history and an interesting magical system. Ages 8–12. Agent: Brianne Johnson, Writers House. (Oct.)

"In this lively fantasy, Fawcett (The Language of Ghosts) plays with familiar tropes (magical schools, chosen ones), centering a female protagonist, a fresh take on heroics, and a clearly built world layered with history and an interesting magical system." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Fans of other boy wizards will be mesmerized by this original addition to the genre, and humor-loving readers will revel in the Diana Wynne Jones–style snark that’s interjected throughout. Themes of class, education, and equality are interwoven seamlessly, providing additional food for thought. A magical addition to any bookshelf.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

 "A vividly realized adventure set in an imaginative fantasy world." — Booklist

"This familiar-yet-original fantasy hits all its marks." — Horn Book Magazine

“A wonderfully imaginative story filled with an enticing array of magical creatures, The School Between Winter and Fairyland celebrates the abiding bond of siblings, the many kinds of heroism, and the revolutionary power of empathy. This book is a delight.” — Anne Ursu, award-winning author of Breadcrumbs and The Lost Girl

“I tore through The School Between Winter and Fairyland faster than a wyvern claws through hearts. An exhilarating, witty, brilliant twist on a classic Chosen One story. With magic and monsters and adventure abound, attending Inglenook is a MUST." — Lauren Magaziner, author of the Case Closed series

“An adventure with monsters, magic, and mysterious prophecies! You won’t want to put it down!" — Jessica Day George, NYT bestselling author of the TUESDAYS AT THE CASTLE series

"This familiar-yet-original fantasy hits all its marks."

A wonderfully imaginative story filled with an enticing array of magical creatures, The School Between Winter and Fairyland celebrates the abiding bond of siblings, the many kinds of heroism, and the revolutionary power of empathy. This book is a delight.

An adventure with monsters, magic, and mysterious prophecies! You won’t want to put it down!"

I tore through The School Between Winter and Fairyland faster than a wyvern claws through hearts. An exhilarating, witty, brilliant twist on a classic Chosen One story. With magic and monsters and adventure abound, attending Inglenook is a MUST."

"A vividly realized adventure set in an imaginative fantasy world."

 "A vividly realized adventure set in an imaginative fantasy world."

★ 2021-08-16
The care of magical creatures has never been so important.

You know that story about a boy hero who goes off to a school for magic? The one with the slightly aloof headmaster, the magical beasts, and the prophecy that says he’ll go up against a disembodied evil that might destroy him? This isn’t that story. Sure, all those elements are here: There’s a wunderkind, Cai Morrigan, and the Inglenook School of Magic, and there’s definitely a prophecy. But this story is about his self-proclaimed sidekick, Autumn Malog, a white-haired 12-year-old beastkeeper at the school who is desperately seeking clues into the mysterious disappearance of her twin brother, Winter. Autumn and Cai make a pact to help each other—she believes Winter is trapped inside the school, and Cai knows the castle better than anyone, and he is secretly afraid of dragons while Autumn has a gift with the beasts (she counts a boggart as her friend). That’s when the true magic begins. Fans of other boy wizards will be mesmerized by this original addition to the genre, and humor-loving readers will revel in the Diana Wynne Jones–style snark that’s interjected throughout. Themes of class, education, and equality are interwoven seamlessly, providing additional food for thought. Once readers are buried in the pages, they’ll beg to know when the sequels are coming out. Autumn Reads as White; Cai has light-brown skin.

A magical addition to any bookshelf. (Fantasy. 9-12)