Middle Grade Sidekick Super Review: The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene (2026) by Corey Ann Haydu

1 day ago
6 min read

cover image of The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene by Corey Ann Haydu, published by Quill Tree Books, 2026. — cover image of *The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene* by Corey Ann Haydu, published by Quill Tree Books, 2026.

The Basics

Page Length: 368

Audiobook Length: ~7.5 hours

Grade Reading Level: 3+

Target Audience Age: 8-13

Goodreads Score: 3.74 out of 5

Buy it HERE

Setting: Bounces between contemporary real world setting AND a fantasy world, "Sorrowfeld"

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Topics: Friendship, Musical Theatre, Magic, Dragons, Family Secrets, Alcoholism, Courage, Imagination, Identity

Plot: Auden “Denny” Greene has just turned 12, and it seems that comes with a whole set of unwritten rules—especially at school. It’s time to grow up, which means no more imagining and no more making up stories about princesses and dragons in the world of Sorrowfeld with her best friend, Runa. They used to spend their time building their magical world and writing it all down in the Book of Dragons True. But now Runa would rather hang out with Sadie, talking about boys, clothes, and makeup. Runa even wrote in the Book of Dragons True that when a princess turns 12, she has to grow up and save the kingdom from the dragons that terrorize it.

Auden feels stuck at home, too. Her mom has recently relapsed into alcoholism, and all the magic seems to have drained out of her. There are no more elaborate birthday parties, no more fancy toast, and no more of the fun Auden used to count on. Instead, her mom spends her time sleeping, hiding, or moving between anger and sadness.

When Auden is magically transported into the world of Sorrowfeld, and Princess Auden is transported into the real world, each must learn to face the other’s challenges. Princess Auden navigates mean girls, auditions for the school musical, and tries to piece a family back together. Meanwhile, Denny faces dragons, expectations, and the realities of growing up. By stepping into each other’s lives, they begin to find the courage they need to overcome their own.

Themes: Empathy, courage and resilience, shifting friendships and navigating middle school, family struggles, self discovery and confidence, escapism vs. reality

You might like this book if you like:

Creative writing/journaling
Storytelling/role-playing games
Musical Theatre
Books like: The Girl Who Drank the Moon, Amari and the Night Brothers, Real Friends, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, Because of Mr. Terupt
Shows like: Hilda, The Owl House, Anne with an E, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Over the Garden Wall
Movies like: Bridge to Terabithia (also a book), Spirited Away, Coraline, Turning Red, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. (also a book)

Other books written by this author: One Jar of Magic, Eventown, Rules for Stealing Stars, The Someday Suitcase

Teaching The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene in Class

Content

Language: None
Sex/Romance: None
Violence/Scariness: Dragons are terrorizing people in a fantasy kingdom, though there are no graphic or violent depictions of their attacks. The story also includes some mature themes, such as bullying and parental alcohol abuse, but it does not contain explicit violence or traditionally frightening content.
Drinking/Smoking/Drugs: This book discusses alcoholism. The protagonist's mother suffers from addiction, and it is a main theme of the story.

Class Novel-ability:

I don’t think this would be a strong choice for a class novel. It is somewhat long, and its fantasy elements may not appeal to a whole-class audience. However, I do think it could be a great option for a literature circle or book club selection. It includes excellent themes and relatable middle school situations and experiences. Plus, it's fun!

The Star Qualities

The themes in this book are incredibly important for middle schoolers. I love the way the author portrays Denny’s coming of age. She is growing up reluctantly, and I think many students feel that way too—they’re just a little hesitant to admit it. Denny’s experiences navigating friendships, popularity, and school feel genuine and true to what many students go through. Reading this book could feel both relatable and reassuring. The themes surrounding her family may resonate as well; navigating a parent’s addiction is difficult, and this story could offer comfort to students facing similar challenges.
Although the book tackles mature topics, it remains very age-appropriate. It’s a perfect “growing up” story because that’s exactly what the protagonist is experiencing. The blend of fun, whimsical fantasy elements with realistic and relatable challenges creates a thoughtful balance.
I also love the Freaky Friday–style twist in this story. It’s entertaining and funny to see a princess transported into a typical middle school, and just as amusing to watch an unpolished middle schooler suddenly living at a royal court. The fantasy elements are engaging on their own, but the life-swapping aspect makes the story even more enjoyable.

Book Talk Read Aloud Section

*What is a book talk? (Watch a how to video here. Read my blog post here)

If you have the physical book, read the prologue, pages 1-2

If you don't, read the same pages in the reading sample here. (There is no available Amazon reading sample for this book. This one is from the publisher's website.

"Reading Like a Writer" Mentor Texts

*What is a Reading Like a Writer? (Watch a how to video here. Read my blog post here)

This passage is loaded with sensory details, and within those details there is repetition, figurative language, and dramatic sentence fragments. It all works together to create a tone of uncertainty and drama. Students have a lot to choose from to imitate.

The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene, p. 58 — *The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene,* p. 58

I really like this paragraph because of its contrast and repetition. Both show the protagonist’s internal struggle and tension. The short fragments and dramatic paragraph breaks are simple and direct, emphasizing the narrator’s internal conflict. There are many strategies here that students can try in their own writing.

The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene, p. 72 — *The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene,* p. 72

I like this passage because it uses vivid imagery and a stream-of-consciousness style. It also includes dramatic paragraph breaks, sentence fragments, and onomatopoeia. All of these elements work together to create a suspenseful and powerful piece of writing. AND all of these moves are worthy of imitation by students.

The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene, p. 144 — *The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene,* p. 144

Sentences for Combining and Imitation

*What is sentence combination and imitation? (Watch my how to video here. Read my blog post here.)

Sentence sets for combining:

"I have a nice normal mom who paints her nails pink every Saturday, who knows my friends’ names and makes silly jokes in a silly voice." (p. The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene, 53)

I have a nice, normal mom.
She paints her nails pink.
She paints them every Saturday.
She knows my friends' names.
She makes silly jokes in silly voices.

"Dad hung a piñata up out there–a dragon one, of course–and I watch through the window as kids take swings at it." (p. 54)

Dad hung a piñata up out there.
It was a dragon one, of course.
I watch through the window.
Kids take swings at it.

"There are vines on the buildings and daisies in the grass and birds flying everywhere–blue ones mostly, a few red cardinals and tiny, furious-winged hummingbirds too." (p. 133)

There are vines on the buildings.
There are daisies in the grass.
There are birds flying everywhere.
They are mostly blue.
There are a few red cardinals.
There are tiny, furious-winged hummingbirds too.

"So there are always bowls of mac and cheese and dishes of lasagna and so many soups–potato, tomato, wild rice, squash." (p. 138)

There are always bowls of mac and cheese.
There are always dishes of lasagna.
There are always so many soups.
There is potato soup.
There is tomato soup.
There is wild rice soup.
There is squash soup.

Sentences for Imitation:

"The dragons–with their heavy, flapping wings and smoky breath and scales as sharp as knives–are coming for me, the way they always come for princesses." (p. 1)

"But Runa’s yeah sounds final, like another way of saying the end." (p. 6)

"And now, I have to write the rest of the story we started: what a princess says when she is the only one who can save her people." (p. 131)

"The truth is heavy when it reminds you it’s there." (p. 136)

Used this book in your classroom? Tell us how in the comments!

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