The Magic Warble by Victoria Simcox

Dwarfs, gnomes, fairies, talking animals, and an evil queen all these and more can be found in The Magic Warble, an enchanting tale of adventure and friendship.

Twelve-year-old Kristina Kingsly feels like the most unpopular girl in her school. The kids all tease her, and she never seems to fit in. But when Kristina receives an unusual Christmas gift, she suddenly finds herself magically transported to the land of Bernovem, home of dwarfs, gnomes, fairies, talking animals and the evil Queen Sentiz.

In Bernovem, Kristina not only fits in, she's honored as ''the chosen one'', the only one who can release the land from Queen Sentiz's control. But it s not as simple as it seems. To save Bernovem, she must place the gift she was given, the famous ''Magic Warble,'' in its final resting place. And she must travel through the deep forest, climb a treacherous mountain, and risk capture by the queen s ''zelbocks'' before she reaches her destination. Guided by her new fairy friends, Clover and Looper and by Prince Werrien, a teenage boy, as well as an assortment of other characters, Kristina sets off on a perilous journey that not only tests her strength but her heart.

MY THOUGHTS
A beautiful middle grade fantasy that will touch your heart.  Kristina is twelve and doesn't feel very confident.  She has very few friends, and feels picked on by the kids at school and her babysitter.  So when the day school lets out for Christmas break, when her teacher gives her a present, she is touched.  However, to her dismay, she can't get the box open and tosses it under her bed in disgust.

Later in the night, a buzzing noise wakes up Kristina and she realizes it comes from the box under her bed.  It finally opens and she sees that is is a bell, but when she touches it, she is instantly transported to a new world, the world of Bernovem.  This is where the fun starts! Kristina learns she is the chosen one, she must take the bell (the magic warble) to where it is supposed to go to save the land.  Bernovem is filled with many magical creatures and Simcox does an impeccable job of bringing them to life.

Of course, nothing is ever easy.  An evil queen will do whatever it takes to prevent Kristina from completing her mission.  But even with a few new friends, does Kristina have what it takes to save Bernovem?

Clean, wholesome writing, magical creatures and beautiful artwork, you won't go wrong with The Magic Warble.  Slated toward middle grade, even adults will enjoy this fantasy. What a wonderful world that I would love to go back and read more of!