What the Dickens by Gregory Maguire

What the Dickens by Gregory Maguire is about an orphaned Skiberee (more commonly known as a tooth fairy) named What the Dickens. He doesn't know where he came from or where he is or even what he is. During his first few hours of life he meets a family of birds who take him under their wings, an evil cat named McCavity who What the Dickens desperately wants to impress, and another Skiberee named Pepper. Pepper is trying her hardest to become an Agent of Change - a tooth fairy who retrieves teeth in exchange for money. Unfortunately, her encounter with What the Dickens makes her late in returning to her home and she is demoted! The other Skibereen are not fond of strangers, and are not welcoming to What the Dickens. The Crown (the head of the Skibereen) sends Pepper on a final mission - to retrieve two teeth and to "lose" What the Dickens in the process. The plan goes awry when Pepper is captured by a human child (who happens to be McCavity's owner) and What the Dickens must complete the nearly impossible mission alone, knowing that he may never see Pepper again. They both must break all the rules in order to survive and prove themselves to the Skibereen.

I really liked this book. The story is told by Gage, the older cousin to three kids who are stranded in their rural home (without their parents) during the worst storm of the century. It is told as a fairy tale, although the ending leaves one wondering if it all could have really happened!