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TL;DR: Twins Alex and Conner Bailey are struggling after their father's death. On their twelfth birthday, their grandmother gives them a special book of fairy tales. The book pulls them into the Land of Stories, a world where fairy-tale characters are real. To get home, they must collect items for a magical Wishing Spell, while the Evil Queen is chasing the same items.
Table of Contents
The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell at a Glance
| Author | Chris Colfer |
| First published | 2012 |
| Type | Children's fantasy |
| Best for | young readers who want a funny, magical adventure in a world of fairy tales |
The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell is the first book in Chris Colfer's Land of Stories series, published in 2012. It became a number one New York Times best seller. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes danger, grief and mild violence.
Main Characters
- Alex Bailey: A clever, bookish twin.
- Conner Bailey: A funny, less studious twin.
- Froggy: A kind frog who was once a prince.
- The Evil Queen: A villain who also wants the Wishing Spell.
- Grandma: The twins' grandmother, who has a secret.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
The book
Alex is a top student, and Conner struggles in school. Their father has died, and their mother works hard to pay bills. Their grandmother gives them a fairy-tale book on their birthday. One night, the book begins to glow and hum, and the twins fall into it.
The Land of Stories
The twins land in a world where fairy tales are real. They meet Froggy, a frog who was once a prince, who tells them about the Wishing Spell, which can take them home. To cast it, they must collect special items from famous fairy tales, such as Cinderella's glass slipper.
The journey
The twins travel across kingdoms, meeting characters such as Goldilocks, now an outlaw, and Red Riding Hood, now a spoiled queen. They visit Sleeping Beauty's kingdom and Rapunzel's tower. They learn that the stories are different from what they read, and that the characters have lives after their tales.
The Evil Queen
The Evil Queen is also collecting the items. She wants to use the spell for her own reasons. The twins race to find the items first. They learn the queen's sad backstory, which shows that she was hurt and betrayed in the past.
Home
The twins gather the items. They learn that their father once lived in the Land of Stories, and that their grandmother is the Fairy Godmother. They return home with a new understanding of their family. The Evil Queen's story ends sadly, but the twins know they will return to the Land of Stories.
5 Key Takeaways
- Stories can be bigger than we know.
- Siblings can be a great team.
- Villains often have sad pasts.
- Family secrets can be magical.
- Courage grows through adventure.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- Reading can open new worlds.
- Grief can be shared and eased.
- Every character has more than one side.
Who Should Read The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell?
Read The Land of Stories if you are a young reader who loves fairy tales, humor and adventure. It suits ages 8 to 12.
About Chris Colfer
Chris Colfer (born 1990) is an American actor and author, best known for playing Kurt Hummel in the TV series Glee, for which he won a Golden Globe. The Land of Stories series includes six main books and several companion books. He also wrote Struck by Lightning and the A Tale of Magic series.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell:
- How are the fairy-tale characters different from the stories you know?
- Why does the Evil Queen want the Wishing Spell?
- How do Alex and Conner work together?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes. It is fun, imaginative and full of surprises.
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What to Read Next
- The Land of Stories: The Enchantress Returns by Chris Colfer: the second book
- Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine: a fresh take on a fairy tale
- The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani: a twisty fairy-tale school
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Land of Stories about?
Twins fall into a world of fairy tales and must collect items for a Wishing Spell.
Who wrote it?
Chris Colfer, in 2012.
Who are Alex and Conner?
Twelve-year-old twins.
What is the Wishing Spell?
A spell that can grant a wish if items are collected.
Who is Froggy?
A frog who was once a prince.
Who is the twins' grandmother?
The Fairy Godmother.
Is it a series?
Yes, six main books.
What age is it for?
About 8 to 12.
How long is it?
About 440 pages.
Is the author an actor?
Yes, from the show Glee.
Is it funny?
Yes, with lots of humor.
Is there a film?
A film has been in development.
What comes next?
The Enchantress Returns.
Is The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for young readers who want a funny, magical adventure in a world of fairy tales. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.