Follow September: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making

In Catherynne Valente's young adult novel The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, we are introduced to a stunning child named September. September leaves home and goes with the Green Wind to fairyland. Unlike in most children's stories, September was neither running from a bad situation at home, nor belly-aching to get back. She has the courage and heart of a child, which is that she is still somewhat heartless but her concern for her companions touches the soul. In Fairyland, September meets fantastic companions that dazzle the imagination. A-through-L, whom she refers to as Ell, is a wyvern who is convinced he is a wyverary, half wyvern, half library. Ell helps September understand strange aspects of fairyland so long as it could be found in an encyclopedia between A and L. Saturday is a Marid, which is like a Djinni of the sea. He can grant wishes but only if physically bested. One cannot, of course, forget the inanimate companions. The Green Wind gave September a green smoking jacket that has been a faithful companion through thick and thin and the key which is desperately trying to catch up. September's story is a magical journey all over fairyland attempting to bring justice to the disenfranchised beings she finds. September is a true heroine for all children.

Catherynne M. Valente started the publishing Circumnavigating Fairyland during the summer of 2009. Valente had a hard time making ends meet and so she started the project to earn donations to help her get by. The result has been an amazing young adult story published in weekly installments. Every chapter also has an audio version of the story published in Valente's own voice, and at several points in the project she provides an audio commentary about her story-writing process. Her transparency is inspiring. At the end of each chapter is a donate button for those who have the means and are inclined to reward her work.

I must agree with Grant Bracken in his review of Palimpsest that "trying to write a review for Valente's books is difficult because the story is so unlike anything else I have ever read." Valente is a bold writer who gives all characters their fair amount of voice, including the narrator. From the very first chapter, I was hooked and wishing for the week to pass so I could read the next. Catherynne Valente transports me to a magical world with her writing in a refreshing way that I have not experienced since I read Madeline L'Engle in elementary school. Although this story targets young adults, I leave it every week ready to take on the world and meditating on ideas of how things should be.

As an educator, I recommend this story for students 5th grade and above. Valente does not simplify her language but rather expresses high vocabulary in a way that helps students grow. Should I ever have children of my own, I will read The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making when they reach about 3rd grade and start thinking they are too old for bedtime stories. This story would prove them wrong, give valuable ways to connect with my child, improve their vocabulary, and give them faith in my ability to choose appropriate bedtime stories for kids who were too big for such things. I recommend readers of all ages to follow September through Valente's Fairyland.