Description:

Serafina's life takes an amazing turn when she is summoned to her great-aunt's cottage to become the new Baba Yaga! But leaving behind her home, her family, and the boy she loves isn't easy. As Serafina grows into her magical new role, she discovers that strangers can ask her one question and she must answer truthfully. It's like a glimpse into a crystal ball . . . but telling the future doesn't always mean knowing the right answers. E.D. Baker's talent for re-imagining classic fairy tales shines brighter than ever in this adventure about watching what you wish for! ** ### From School Library Journal Gr 3–6—When Serafina's great-aunt Sylanna invites her to claim her inheritance, the girl's life is changed forever. Traveling to find her long-lost relative, Fina learns instead that she has inherited the title of Baba Yaga and the power to answer questions, no matter how complex, with words and a voice, over which she has no control. Resistant to her new position, she tries unsuccessfully to escape both the chicken-legged flying cottage that is now her home and the talking skulls and magical cat that inhabit it. However, when she discovers the newfound wisdom she acquires with each response, she succumbs to her fate. Meanwhile, her sweetheart, Alek, vows to bring her home. Fina-Baba Yaga instructs him on how to achieve that goal and is then kidnapped. Despite wars and other difficulties, Alek succeeds in his quest, and Fina, escaping her captors, returns to him and happily passes on her powers to her friend Dielle-the next Baba Yaga. While details of medieval life anchor the story in its realistic setting, its juxtaposition with a fantasy world inhabited by giants and fairies brings a different, broader dimension to the tale. Baker includes just enough sorcery to add a bit of intrigue and tension, and there are enough well-plotted twists and turns to keep interest high. The dialogue is fluid and often abounds with humor, especially in Fina's conversations with both her visitors and her skulls. Although she is the only truly well-developed character, both Dielle and Alek have enough mettle to prevent them from becoming mere caricatures. This amusing title is sure to win the hearts of girls who crave an active protagonist.—Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, formerly at LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI ### From Booklist “Welcome! You are the new Baba Yaga and the mistress of this house.” This message, writing itself upon the empty pages of a book, forms the core of Baker’s appealing original fairy tale based on Russian traditions. Gradually, young Serafina comes to understand the rules of this strange new role she has inherited: she will answer truthfully to the first direct question a person asks—any kind of question—but she will age after each answer. (If she feels threatened, she can ask her chicken-legged house to take her away.) How will she ever return to her normal self and marry her beloved Alek? As she has done with The Frog Princess (2002) and other titles, Baker reweaves folklore elements into a lively fantasy for middle-grade readers. Ingredients include suspense, magic, romance, and humor, as well as a gentle reminder of the futility of war. Readers will appreciate the way sensible Serafina steps up to her new role; the comfort of her cat, Maks; and the satisfying solution. Grades 4-7. --Kathleen Isaacs