Falling to Fairyland
Coming March 2026
In this middle grade adventure both sinister and whimsical, a changeling boy embarks on a quest of magic and self-discovery through a Grimm-inspired Fairyland, perfect for fans of Kelly Barnhill and Aubrey Hartman.
Cricket has lived with the Fairy Witch for as long as he can remember. She may be moody and cold, and sure, maybe even a little bit evil, but she raised him as her own—even though he’s a human changeling with a rare and dangerous magic. But as his thirteenth Change Day approaches, Cricket worries she may kick him out of her tower if he can’t prove his worth soon.
When a knight from the human world falls (literally) into Fairyland, Cricket sees his chance. He knows the knight can lead him to a coveted missing piece of the Night Sky sure to impress Cricket’s fickle guardian. But after chasing him out of the tower, Cricket learns the knight has been cursed and will die soon without help. Embarking now on a quest to break the curse and steal the piece of the Night Sky, the two are thrust into a Fairyland wider, weirder, and more beautiful than they expected. As they encounter delightful characters, eerie magic, and a mischievous narrator, Cricket and the knight may discover more than they bargained for—about who they are, who they can be, and who really has their best interests at heart.
In this wildly imaginative, episodic fairy tale for the modern reader, acclaimed author Sarah Jean Horwitz delivers a powerful message of identity, independence, and self-love.
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Praise for Falling to Fairyland
"With Horwitz’s signature wit and panache for building worlds that are equal parts whimsy and weighty, readers who find comfort in magical worlds will land softly as they fall into Fairyland."
--Booklist
"The early chapters explore the mystery of Cricket’s powers and Isaac’s past and painful secrets so that the emotional punches of later revelations hit hard. The themes of self-acceptance, love, and loss succeed through being heavily rooted in the characters’ agency and empowerment. [...] Come for the delightful setting; stay for the genuinely moving story."
--Kirkus
“Sarah Jean Horwitz has conjured a captivating Fairyland full of wonder, mystery, and danger, and filled it with vibrant and complex characters....Its true treasure lies in its big-hearted message of love and affirmation.”
--Kiyash Monsef, New York Times bestselling author of Once There Was
"A charming and clever fairy tale made powerful by a gust of fresh thinking. A beautiful story about being yourself, despite what the world tells you to be—just what our modern world needs.”
--Diane Magras, author of The Mad Wolf’s Daughter books and Secret of the Shadow Beasts
“Falling to Fairyland is the quintessential fairy tale. Delightfully classic and sparkling with fresh imagination, wit, and mystery to keep readers on their toes.”
--Alexandria Rogers, author of The Witch, the Sword, and the Cursed Knights
--Booklist
"The early chapters explore the mystery of Cricket’s powers and Isaac’s past and painful secrets so that the emotional punches of later revelations hit hard. The themes of self-acceptance, love, and loss succeed through being heavily rooted in the characters’ agency and empowerment. [...] Come for the delightful setting; stay for the genuinely moving story."
--Kirkus
“Sarah Jean Horwitz has conjured a captivating Fairyland full of wonder, mystery, and danger, and filled it with vibrant and complex characters....Its true treasure lies in its big-hearted message of love and affirmation.”
--Kiyash Monsef, New York Times bestselling author of Once There Was
"A charming and clever fairy tale made powerful by a gust of fresh thinking. A beautiful story about being yourself, despite what the world tells you to be—just what our modern world needs.”
--Diane Magras, author of The Mad Wolf’s Daughter books and Secret of the Shadow Beasts
“Falling to Fairyland is the quintessential fairy tale. Delightfully classic and sparkling with fresh imagination, wit, and mystery to keep readers on their toes.”
--Alexandria Rogers, author of The Witch, the Sword, and the Cursed Knights