Lily Gets Her Wings

This book was originally published in 2011 also by Scholastic but has been redesigned. I think this design is better suited to younger children transitioning into reading early chapter books. It is easier to read due to the white pages, slightly larger print and black and white illustrations throughout the story. This is the first book in the series and I would hope that the other stories are redesigned too.

From the first few pages the reader is hooked. Lily is the smallest angel, today is the day of the three tests as she competes for that one space in Amelia’s Angel Academy, and then her wings go missing. Is her rival, Tisa, plotting against her? Everything is stacked against Lily and she has plenty of problems to overcome.

Lily breaks rules in her quest to find her wings and get to the testing room on time. She does not always do as she’s told immediately but justifies herself by saying the three tests are all-important.

Themes touched on in this book are the need for honesty, being kind over seeking revenge and dysfunctional family. Tisa is desperate to get into the academy as she does not want to go back to her family. This desperation causes her to cheat.

To her credit Lily does not cheat during the tests, nor tell tales on Tisa. Meanwhile Tisa learns to apologise and admit her real feelings.

Seven to nine year olds would be able to read this themselves but this story has appeal as a read-aloud for younger children with its fast-moving plot, humorous incidents and opportunities for conversations on the themes mentioned above.

Title: Lily Gets Her Wings

Author: Elizabeth Pulford

Illustrator: Aki Fukuoka

Publisher: Scholastic

ISBN: 9781775435914

RRP: $13.00

Format: paperback

Date of Publication: May 2019

Ages: 5-9

Reviewer: Nova Gibson, Library Manager, Massey Primary School

How highly are you recommending this book? Recommended

What’s the book’s opening sentence? Lily rolled over in bed.