Greta Ever After - by Melissa Dassori (Hardcover)

About the Book

Twelve-year-old Greta, feeling invisible at her school newspaper, takes matters into her own hands to find the perfect story while also dealing with a magical cuckoo clock at home.

Book Synopsis

There are no fairy tale endings in middle school.

Greta Starr has one dream: to be a famous reporter. Unfortunately she's been assigned to write for the paper's most boring beat, and she feels stuck. Then, on her twelfth birthday, Greta receives a mysterious cuckoo clock with a wooden dancer named Lulu inside. Every hour, the doll twirls in time with the music--until one night she comes to life. Lulu is infused with magic and mischief. With Lulu's sly encouragement, Greta engineers a feel-good story to report, setting in motion a series of remarkable, if deceitful, happy endings at school that help Greta gain popularity. But when the truth threatens Greta's friendships, she is confronted with very real consequences that Lulu's magic can't fix.

This coming-of-age story explores the blurred line between fact and fiction as Greta realizes the key to being a great reporter--and a great friend--is striving for truth, not perfection.

Review Quotes

Praise for Greta Ever After:
A Junior Library Guild Selection

"A fun fairy-tale mash-up with dark undertones, the story will resonate with many tweens navigating school and friend woes."--School Library Journal

"A seventh grade girl lives out a real-life fairy tale [in this] relatable coming-of-age story interwoven with dark fairy-tale elements."--Kirkus Reviews

"Perfect for readers curious about the tribulations of middle school but who appreciate a dash of magic."--Booklist

About the Author

Melissa Dassori is the author of J.R. Silver Writes Her World, which was an Owlcrate Jr. Book Club Selection, a Bank Street Best Book of the Year, and a Washington Post Kids Summer Book Club recommendation. Melissa lives in New York City with her husband and three daughters, with whom she especially likes to share books, spend time outside, eat ice cream, and travel. She invites you to visit her at melissadassori.com.