Books like 'The Fixer Upper'
Readers who enjoyed The Fixer Upper by Jen Calonita also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
fantasy action / adventure retellings fairy-tale friendship family
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The Land of Stories #1-6 by Chris Colfer
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsDive into the complete #1 New York Times bestselling series The Land of Stories with this beautiful gift set.Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, twins Alex and Conner leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face-to-face with the fairy tale characters they grew up reading about... -
![Of Enemies and Endings (The Ever Afters, #4). by Shelby Bach]()
Of Enemies and Endings (The Ever Afters, #4). by Shelby Bach
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsRory and her friends are determined to stop the Snow Queen once and for all in this thrilling conclusion to the Ever After series, which Kirkus Reviews calls a “fast-paced combination of middle school realism and fairy-tale fantasy.”After three years at Ever After School, Rory Landon is finally getting her very own fairy tale—but it is no happily-ever-after... -
![Of Witches and Wind by Shelby Bach]()
Of Witches and Wind by Shelby Bach
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsIn this second book in a series that Kirkus Reviews calls a “fast-paced combination of middle school realism and fairy-tale fantasy,” it’s up to Rory to save the Ever After School—and deal with her father’s fiancée.After taking part in a successful real-life fairy tale, Rory Landon is now an Ever After School veteran...Categorized as:
fairy-tale family friendship retellings action-adventure book children children-books -
![Of Sorcery and Snow by Shelby Bach]()
Of Sorcery and Snow by Shelby Bach
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsRory might be starring in her own fairy tale, but there’s more danger than happily-ever-after in this third book in a series that Kirkus Reviews calls a “fast-paced combination of middle school realism and fairy-tale fantasy.”Life at Ever After School has become familiar for Rory. She’s been on two quests, she’s a great sword fighter, and she has terrific friends... -
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![Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima]()
Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsThe story of a young unicorn who was born under the sea to a family of narwhals.Growing up in the ocean, Kelp has always assumed that he was a narwhal like the rest of his family. Sure, he’s always been a little bit different—his tusk isn’t as long, he’s not as good of a swimmer, and he really doesn’t enjoy the cuisine... -
![Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins]()
Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsBruce the bear likes to keep to himself. That, and eat eggs. But when his hard-boiled goose eggs turn out to be real, live goslings, he starts to lose his appetite. And even worse, the goslings are convinced he's their mother. Bruce tries to get the geese to go south, but he can't seem to rid himself of his new companions...Categorized as:
fairy-tale family friendship retellings action-adventure animals anthropomorphism audiobook -
![Gwinna by Barbara Helen Berger]()
Gwinna by Barbara Helen Berger
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHaving grown a pair of wings and felt the longing for the freedom of the skies, twelve-year-old Gwinna goes to the Mother of the Owls, who sends her on a quest to find the songs of the wind... -
![The Three Little Pigs (A Little Golden Book) by Walt Disney Company, Elizabeth Ross]()
The Three Little Pigs (A Little Golden Book) by Walt Disney Company, Elizabeth Ross
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsRelates the adventures of three little pigs who leave home to seek their fortunes and how they deal with the big bad wolf... -
![El Cavaller que no volia Lluitar by Helen Docherty]()
El Cavaller que no volia Lluitar by Helen Docherty
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsEven dragons can’t resist a good story…Even though Leo would rather sit at home and read, his parents send him out into the world in the hopes that Leo will become a famous knight... -
![The Sandman: The Story of Sanderson Mansnoozie by William Joyce]()
The Sandman: The Story of Sanderson Mansnoozie by William Joyce
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThe Man in the Moon has a problem.Most nights, he beams down at the children of Earth, providing them with an inextinguishable nightlight that keeps nightmares at bay...Categorized as:
fairy-tale friendship retellings action-adventure book children children-books fiction -
![The Land of Stories Collection 5 Book Set (The Land of Stories, #1-5) by Chris Colfer]()
The Land of Stories Collection 5 Book Set (The Land of Stories, #1-5) by Chris Colfer
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsDive into the first five hardcover volumes in the #1 New York Times bestselling series The Land of Stories with this beautiful gift set.Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, twins Alex and Conner leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face-to-face with the fairy tale characters they grew up reading about... -
![Of Giants and Ice by Shelby Bach]()
Of Giants and Ice by Shelby Bach
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsRory Landon has spent her whole life being known as the daughter of a famous movie star mom and director dad. So when she begins a new after-school program and no one knows who her family is, Rory realizes something is different. After she ends up fighting a fire-breathing dragon on her first day, she realizes the situation is more unusual than she could have imagined...Categorized as:
fairy-tale family friendship retellings action-adventure book children children-books -
![The Jolly Pocket Postman by Janet Ahlberg, Allan Ahlberg]()
The Jolly Pocket Postman by Janet Ahlberg, Allan Ahlberg
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsEveryone's favorite postman finds himself in Alice's Wonderland, knee-high to a Mad Hatter, but nothing can stop the Jolly Postman from completing his mail route as he travels through the Emerald City with Dorothy and other fairy-tale favorites...Categorized as:
fairy-tale retellings action-adventure book children children-books classics fiction -
![Traps and Specters by Bryan Chick]()
Traps and Specters by Bryan Chick
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe fourth book in the action-packed and highly imaginative The Secret Zoo series, about a group of middle school friends who discover a hidden zoo in their very own neighborhood! The zoo's archenemy, the evil DeGraff, is closing in for the first time since he was driven out of the Secret Zoo... -
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![Adventures from the Land of Stories: The Mother Goose Diaries / Queen Red Riding Hood's Guide to Royalty by Chris Colfer]()
Adventures from the Land of Stories: The Mother Goose Diaries / Queen Red Riding Hood's Guide to Royalty by Chris Colfer
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsFeaturing Mother Goose and Queen Red Riding Hood, fan favorite characters in the #1 New York Times bestselling series The Land of Stories, this boxed set is a must-have for new and old fans alike. From New York Times bestselling author Chris Colfer comes two new books about two beloved characters, Mother Goose and Queen Red Riding Hood...Categorized as:
fairy-tale family retellings action-adventure audiobook book children children-books -
![Voyage of the Basset by James C. Christensen, Renwick St. James]()
Voyage of the Basset by James C. Christensen, Renwick St. James
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratings"Believing is Seeing" In the tradition of such favorite classics as Gulliver's Travels and Journey to the Center of the Earth, Voyage of the Basset takes the reader on a fantastical journey of discovery. Through richly detailed full-color paintings and line drawings, magical kingdoms emerge from a sea of dreams...Categorized as:
fairy-tale family friendship retellings action-adventure book children children-books -
![Cursed by Jen Calonita]()
Cursed by Jen Calonita
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe evil Rumplestiltskin is planning to cast a curse that will erase Enchantasia as the world knows it, and a fairy prophecy declares that Gilly Cobbler will play a key role. Never one to shy away from adventure, Gilly and her friends embark on an epic, swashbuckling journey to stop Stiltskin from getting the ingredients he needs before it's too late... -
![Seeing Red by Sarah Mlynowski, Emily Eiden]()
Seeing Red by Sarah Mlynowski, Emily Eiden
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsOver the river and through the woods, to grandmother's house we go! Abby and Jonah are off to visit their Nana, who knows ALL about fairy tales. But things go wrong when the siblings wind up in the classic fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood...Categorized as:
fairy-tale family retellings action-adventure audiobook book children children-books -
![Outlaws by Jen Calonita]()
Outlaws by Jen Calonita
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsWANTED: ROYAL ACADEMY OUTLAWSThings are not looking great for Princess Devin Nile. In the past 24 hours, she and her four best friends have gotten kicked out of school, banished to the Hollow Woods, and declared as outlaws. (That's what happens when you accuse the Headmistress of Royal Academy of being in league with villains.) But Devin's not about to go down without a fight...Categorized as:
fairy-tale friendship retellings action-adventure audiobook book children children-books -
![Of Gold and Greed by Chanda Hahn]()
Of Gold and Greed by Chanda Hahn
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsChanda Hahn presents Book 6 in the Daughters of Eville series... -
![The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas]()
The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsIt was time for the three little wolves to go out into the world, so off they went and built themselves a splendid brick house. But they hadn't reckoned on the big bad pig who soon came along and knocked their house down. The little wolves built a stronger house of concrete, in which they were sure to be safe. But that didn't stop the big bad pig, who made short work of it with a pneumatic drill... -
![Rumpelstiltskin by Paul O. Zelinsky]()
Rumpelstiltskin by Paul O. Zelinsky
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsRichly hued oil paintings complement a story simply and gracefully told."Children...love the story for its mystery, and its familiarity. Adults will find that, like most classic fairy tales, this one rewards periodic rethinking." --New York Times Book Review"Zelinsky's smooth retelling and glowing pictures cast the story in a new and beautiful light...Categorized as:
fairy-tale family retellings action-adventure anthologies children children-books classics -
![Peter Pan by Tania Zamorsky]()
Peter Pan by Tania Zamorsky
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratings""A""ll children grow up. All except one." "That special child is Peter Pan, and since making his debut on the stage in 1904, this eternal youth has carried boys and girls off to magical, marvelous Neverland. It's a trip that all kids want to make, and with this easy-to-read version of the classic, everyone can fly "second to the right, and straight on till morning" with Peter...Categorized as:
family friendship retellings action-adventure audiobook book children children-books -
![The Curvy Tree: A Tale from the Land of Stories by Chris Colfer]()
The Curvy Tree: A Tale from the Land of Stories by Chris Colfer
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThe debut picture book from #1 New York Times bestselling author Chris Colfer Once upon a time, there was a little girl who didn't quite fit in... -
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![The Sandman and the War of Dreams by William Joyce]()
The Sandman and the War of Dreams by William Joyce
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsAcademy Award winner William Joyce’s Guardians recruit Sanderson ManSnoozy, the sleepy legend also known as the Sandman, to their cause in this fourth chapter book adventure.When the Man in the Moon brought together the Guardians, he warned them that they would face some terrible evils as they strove to protect the children of earth... -
![Once Upon a Time: A Story Collection by Shannon Hale]()
Once Upon a Time: A Story Collection by Shannon Hale
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsRead these exclusive introductions to all your favorite characters to find out what their lives are like at home! A new chapter is about to begin at Ever After High, and all the students are preparing to start their Legacy Year...Categorized as:
fairy-tale friendship retellings action-adventure anthologies children children-books female-author -
![Tricked by Jen Calonita]()
Tricked by Jen Calonita
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThings are changing at Fairy Tale Reform School.At least, that's what Gilly's heard through the Enchantasia rumor mill. Word is, notorious trickster Rumpelstiltskin has taken over management from Headmistress Flora, and he's locked down the school tighter than the Pied Piper's pants. Not that this news concerns Gilly...Categorized as:
fairy-tale family friendship retellings action-adventure audiobook boarding-school book -
![The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett]()
The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThere's been a terrible mix-up in the royal nursery. Priscilla the princess has accidentally switched places with Pigmella, the farmer's new piglet... -
![Sink or Swim by Sarah Mlynowski]()
Sink or Swim by Sarah Mlynowski
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsOnce again my brother and I are in hot water . . .We weren't planning to mess up the fairy tales. The first two times we did it by accident. But when our magic mirror pulls us into the story of the Little Mermaid, we have no choice but to try and rewrite it... -
![Beauty of Rosemead by Lucy Tempest]()
Beauty of Rosemead by Lucy Tempest
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsBeauty and the Beast reimagined like never before! Full of magic, adventure and heart-aching romance, this fantastical finale to BEAST OF ROSEMEAD is for fans who loved A Court of Thorns and Roses! A WILTING ROSE. A TREACHEROUS QUEST. AND A FATEFUL LEGACY. She's done reading about heroes. Now she needs to become one herself... -
![Princess of Midnight by Lucy Tempest]()
Princess of Midnight by Lucy Tempest
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsTHREE NIGHTS. A PAIR OF GLASS SLIPPERS. AND A FROZEN KING.After breaking free of her evil stepfamily’s thrall, Ornella Dufreyne flees into Faerie, and ends up in the Winter Court. But when she interrupts her escape to thwart an assassination attempt on the King of Winter, they recapture her.All hope seems lost, until the Queen of Spring appears to make her an offer... -
![The Mystery Princess: A Retelling of Cinderella by Melanie Cellier]()
The Mystery Princess: A Retelling of Cinderella by Melanie Cellier
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsDaria has spent her whole life caring for others. So when she's rescued by traveling merchants while fleeing for her life, she's more than happy to work for them in return for her safety.But danger follows her, as does Prince Percy. Daria thought she'd left the complications of balls and royalty behind her, but she can't hide as a servant forever--not when whole kingdoms are in peril...Categorized as:
fairy-tale friendship retellings action-adventure adaptations audiobook book fiction -
![Queen of Cahraman by Lucy Tempest]()
Queen of Cahraman by Lucy Tempest
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsONE QUEEN. A CAPTIVE KINGDOM. A GAMBLE FOR SALVATION. In a corrupted Cahraman, Ada is back on the streets, struggling to save her friends and the kingdom from the fallout of her devastating mistake. But it all seems impossible when her enemy is all-powerful and Cyrus no longer trusts her. Her plan to steal back the lamp flings them on a treacherous quest for salvation...Categorized as:
fairy-tale friendship retellings action-adventure adaptations audiobook book fiction -
![Petite Rouge by Mike Artell]()
Petite Rouge by Mike Artell
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWhen her grand-mère comes down wit' de flu, this Cajun Little Red knows what she has to do. With her witty cat, TeJean, she sets off in a pirogue to bring Grand-mère some gumbo. Who should she meet upon the way, but that big ol' swamp gator, Claude! Mean ol' Claude may want to gobble up Petite Rouge, but she and TeJean have a better idea... -
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![Spill The Beans by Sarah Mlynowski]()
Spill The Beans by Sarah Mlynowski
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe moment Jonah has long anticipated arrives: Abby and Jonah fall into the story of Jack and the Beanstalk! Magical beanstalks and golden eggs may sound appealing, but can the siblings escape from the terrible giant? Plenty of magical hijinks await in this 13th installment of the New York Times bestselling series that redefines "happily ever after...Categorized as:
fairy-tale family retellings action-adventure audiobook book children children-books -
![Disney Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs by Walt Disney Company]()
Disney Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs by Walt Disney Company
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 39 ratingsNow new and old fans can relive the magic of this beloved film as it is retold in a beautiful full-color Little Golden... -
![Hey, That's My Monster! by Amanda Noll]()
Hey, That's My Monster! by Amanda Noll
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsWhen Ethan looks under the bed for his monster, he finds this note instead: "So long, kid. Gotta go. Someone needs me more than you do... -
![Not Your Typical Dragon by Dan Bar-el, Tim Bowers]()
Not Your Typical Dragon by Dan Bar-el, Tim Bowers
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsEverybody knows your typical dragon breathes fire.But when Crispin tries to breathe fire on his seventh birthday, fire doesn't come out—only whipped cream! Each time Crispin tries to breathe fire, he ends up withBand-Aidsmarshmallowsteddy bears?Crispin wonders if he’ll ever find his inner fire... -
![The Little Red Fort by Brenda Maier, Sonia Sanchez]()
The Little Red Fort by Brenda Maier, Sonia Sanchez
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year* "The Little Red Hen gets an appealing girl-power update...Young makers of all genders will be inspired." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred reviewRuby's mind is always full of ideas.One day, she finds some old boards and decides to build something...Categorized as:
fairy-tale family friendship retellings action-adventure book children children-books -
![Switched by Jen Calonita]()
Switched by Jen Calonita
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThe fourth installment in the beloved Fairy Tale Reform School series where the teachers are (former) villainsReform or relapse? Things at Fairy Tale Reform School are great. Rumpelstiltskin has been ousted, and everyone is buzzing about the fact that Beauty and Prince Sebastian (aka the Beast) have joined the teaching staff...Categorized as:
fairy-tale friendship retellings action-adventure audiobook book children children-books -
![Abiyoyo by Pete Seeger]()
Abiyoyo by Pete Seeger
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsPete Seeger's storysong Abiyoyo has delighted generations of parents and children. The tale of how a father with his magic wand and a boy with his music triumph over the giant Abiyoyo is based on a South African lullaby and folk story...Categorized as:
fairy-tale family friendship retellings action-adventure book children children-books -
![The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillo, Julie Morstad]()
The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillo, Julie Morstad
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsA New York Times bestseller!“Kate DiCamillo's dazzling first title in the Norendy Tales trilogy is brimming with wit, whimsy, and heart as it follows five puppets fulfilling their thrilling shared destiny.” – Shelf AwarenessShut up in a trunk by a taciturn old sea captain with a secret, five friends—a king, a wolf, a girl, a boy, and an owl—bicker, boast, and comfort one another in the dark... -
![The Bickery Twins and the Phoenix Tear by Abi Elphinstone]()
The Bickery Twins and the Phoenix Tear by Abi Elphinstone
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsNevermoor meets Keeper of the Lost Cities in the second wondrous adventure in the Unmapped Chronicles fantasy series from bestselling author Abi Elphinstone.Twins Fox and Fibber are riding on a train through Germany when it plunges into a dark tunnel—and emerges in Jungledrop, one of the Unmapped Kingdoms in charge of controlling the weather in their world... -
![The Storm Keepers' Battle by Catherine Doyle]()
The Storm Keepers' Battle by Catherine Doyle
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIn the thrilling conclusion to the acclaimed Storm Keeper's Island series, evil sorceress Morrigan rises, and Fionn and his friends must use their wits to save Arranmore Island's future.“Fans of Harry Potter or Percy Jackson can add Fionn Boyle as a generous and brave hero from the Emerald Isle... -
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![And They Were Never Heard From Again: A Yarnsworld Tale by Benedict Patrick]()
And They Were Never Heard From Again: A Yarnsworld Tale by Benedict Patrick
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsThe woods are not safe. Especially at night. Felton takes his younger brother for a walk through the Magpie King’s forest, hoping to change his life for the better. Things do not go as planned. And They Were Never Heard From Again is set in Benedict Patrick’s Yarnsworld, and is the perfect introduction to the world readers are calling a ‘delightfully weird, dark fairytale’... -
![Beast of Rosemead by Lucy Tempest]()
Beast of Rosemead by Lucy Tempest
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsFor fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses, comes the highly anticipated new installment in the #1 bestselling Fairytales of Folkshore series! A BOOKISH BEAUTY. A BEASTLY PRINCE. A DEADLY CURSE. Bonnie Fairborn’s wish to escape her small-town life for one of adventure is granted in the worst way when she’s flung along with her family into the unknown... -
![Saving Fable by Scott Reintgen]()
Saving Fable by Scott Reintgen
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSide characters can be heroes too in this charming and fast-paced adventure that is The Land of Stories meets The Phantom Tollbooth ! Indira has been a character-in-waiting her entire life. So she can't believe her luck when she's finally chosen to travel to Fable and study at the renowned Protagonist Preparatory, a school known for producing the best heroes...Categorized as:
fairy-tale family friendship retellings action-adventure book children children-books -
![Margaret's Unicorn by Briony May Smith]()
Margaret's Unicorn by Briony May Smith
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsMargaret's whole world changes when her family moves to a cottage by the sea to be near her grandma. One evening, Margaret spots a mist over the water. No, that's not mist...clouds maybe? No, they're unicorns descending onto the shore! They vanish as quickly as they'd appeared, but accidentally leave behind a baby, tangled in the weeds... -
![The Tale of Custard the Dragon by Ogden Nash]()
The Tale of Custard the Dragon by Ogden Nash
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIn this humorous poem, Custard the cowardly dragon saves the day when a pirate threatens Belinda and her pet animals... -
![The Little Mermaid by Jerry Pinkney, Hans Christian Andersen]()
The Little Mermaid by Jerry Pinkney, Hans Christian Andersen
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIn this captivating reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen's classic, Caldecott medalist and bestselling artist Jerry Pinkney conjures a poignant friendship story and an epic tale of redemption -- the definitive new version for our time. Melody, the littlest sea princess, is not content just to sing in the choir of mermaids like her sisters...Categorized as:
fairy-tale family friendship retellings action-adventure book children children-books
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