Twins James and Amanda are sleeping one rainy night when they hear something crash onto the roof above them, followed by someone knocking at their skylight. Imagine their amazement when a girl enters, barefoot and wearing a white dress--and long white wings. The girl's name is Hilary, and one of her wings is broken. Hilary sleeps on their sofa, snoring away, which convinces James that she cannot be an angel, wings or not. What follows is the most charming chapter book fantasy I've read in years, bringing to mind the best of the Mary Poppins books and THE INDIAN IN THE CUPBOARD.

Hilary is sassy, opinionated, and stubborn. In one adventure, she decides to fly James and Amanda around in a sling made from a sheet--only to discover she's not as strong a flyer as she thought. The humor is gentle and the escapades, set in the real world, are exciting. ( )