Clara and the Magical Charms by Margaret McNamara Page A

life.”
    Clara wasn’t exactly sure what Queen Mab had meant when she said that. But she had curtsied deeply. “Forgive me, my queen,” she’d said.
    â€œDo not be ashamed, Clara Bell. You are a young fairy right now, but you have a gift for magic. You will be a very great fairy one day.”
    Clara could hardly believe her ears. “I will?” she’d asked in a whisper.
    â€œYes, Clara Bell, you will,” Queen Mab had replied.
    Clara had never forgotten that encounter with the queen. (Would you?) In fact, Queen Mab’s words had given Clara great confidence her whole life.
    However, I’d better warn you: If you’re looking for a story where a very confident fairy sails along making clever decisions, always acting prudently, and never taking on more than she can manage, then this book will not be your cup of fairy tea. But if you’d like to hear about a fairy who’s admired by all and expects so much of herself that she takes on far too much—so much that she almost risks her life—then you’ll want to turn the page.
    I’m keeping my fingers crossed you’ll turn the page. . . .

four
    C lara tucked the memory of Queen Mab’s words into a pocket of her mind and flew in the door of the Bell sisters’ fairy house. She was thinking about her growing magic as the sisters sat around the fire together that evening.
    â€œRosy, I think you’d better finish your homework and stop writing that letter to Lulu,” said Clara. “You’re falling behind in Troll Tracks again.”
    â€œI just want to tell her about the Valentine’s Games,” said Rosy. Lulu was Rosy’s friend—a real human child who believed in fairies (like someone else you might know). “I’ve written her about the sack races and the long jump and the three-legged race and the tossing of the branches.” She looked over her letter. It was already four pages long. “Now I need to tell her about the swim round the island. I hope the dolphins join in again.”
    â€œThere’s a baby dolphin this year,” said Sylva, who was trimming lace for valentines. “Have you seen her? She’s getting so fast! Poppy and I have named her Speedy.”
    â€œThat’s a cute name,” said Goldie.
    â€œI know! Poppy wanted to name her Bluey but I told her my name was better.”
    â€œBluey’s nice too,” said Rosy. “But whatever she’s called, that little dolphin is the sweetest thing ever.”
    â€œCoomada!” said Squeak.
    â€œYes, we all love babies, don’t we, Squeakie?” said Clara. She gave Squeak a big hug and looked over at Goldie, who was deep in a pile of silk scarves. “How are Fairy Fractions going?”

    â€œ Humph, ” said Goldie.
    â€œI love Fairy Fractions,” said Sylva. “Three-fifths of a starfish plus two-fifths of a starfish equals one whole starfish!”
    â€œVery good,” said Clara. “Goldie, since you’re not doing your homework, can you please get Squeakie into her pj’s?”
    â€œNot right now,” said Goldie. “I’m choosing a scarf to wear to the Games tomorrow.” She picked one out from the pile. “This looks good with my sky-blue eyes, don’t you think?” she asked the mirror, which did not reply. (Mirrors on Sheepskerry are not enchanted.)
    Clara glanced at her sister and caught sight of her own reflection.
    â€œYou look nice tonight, Clara,” said Sylva. “Did you polish your wings?”
    Clara had not polished her wings. She had not changed a thing about herself. And yet her long, dark hair was shinier than ever. Her skin almost glowed. And her eyes, always a deep brown, seemed to be flecked with gold.
    Perhaps her newfound magic was giving her a glow from inside.

five
    â€œO h my word! The meadow is gorgeous !”
    â€œQueen Mab has done her best magic ever!”
    The