The Sisters Grimm facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
The Sisters Grimm

The Fairy-tale Detectives The Unusual Suspects The Problem Child Once Upon a Crime Magic and Other Misdemeanors Tales from The Hood The Everafter War The Inside Story The Council of Mirrors
Author	Michael Buckley
Illustrator	Peter Ferguson
Country	United States
Language	English
Genre	Children's fantasy mystery novel
Publisher	Abrams Books
Published	2005–2012
Media type	Print (hardback)

The Sisters Grimm is a children's fantasy book series written by Michael Buckley. Peter Ferguson created the illustrations for the books. This exciting series tells the story of two sisters, Sabrina and Daphne Grimm. It includes nine novels published between 2005 and 2012.

What is The Sisters Grimm Series About?

After their parents mysteriously disappear, Sabrina and Daphne Grimm move through many foster homes. In each home, they have to do jobs not suitable for kids. Their caseworker, Ms. Minerva Smirt, is not kind and does not find them a safe place to live.

Finally, the sisters go to live with their long-lost grandmother, Relda Grimm. They thought she was dead! Sabrina worries that her grandmother is a bit strange. This is because Granny Relda believes that fairy tales are real.

Discovering Ferryport Landing

Soon, the sisters learn that their new town, Ferryport Landing, is full of "Everafters." These are living characters from famous fantasy stories and fairy tales. The Grimm family has a special business: they are detectives! Sabrina and Daphne start solving mysteries. These cases might be connected to their parents' disappearance.

While following their family traditions, they also live with Puck. He is a trickster fairy boy. But there's a big problem: an evil group of Everafters called the Scarlet Hand wants to escape the town. They plan to take over the world. A magical barrier, made by a witch, keeps the Everafters inside Ferryport Landing. The only way to break this barrier is to harm all members of the Grimm family.

The Books in the Series

• The Fairy-tale Detectives: Meet Sabrina and Daphne Grimm, two sisters sent to live with their mysterious grandmother, Relda Grimm. She lives in a strange New York town known for unusual crimes. The girls soon discover their family's magical past. They learn they are descendants of the Brothers Grimm, who were actually detectives of magical events. It's the Grimm family's job to keep the Everafters in line! In this first book, the girls face giants causing trouble in town.
• The Unusual Suspects: The Sisters Grimm start school in Ferryport Landing. Daphne has Snow White as her teacher. Sabrina's teacher, Mr. Grumpner, is murdered in a very strange way. The Grimms must find out which Everafter is responsible. A friend turns into an enemy, and the school is blown up by Rumpelstiltskin.
• The Problem Child: The Sisters Grimm finally meet the Scarlet Hand, the group who kidnapped their parents. One member is Little Red Riding Hood, and another is the Jabberwocky, a powerful creature. Their Uncle Jake returns with news of a missing weapon that can stop the Jabberwocky. Sabrina gets a magic wand and becomes addicted to using magic.
• Once Upon a Crime: Sabrina just wants a normal life, away from danger and Everafters. But New York City is full of magical beings! The girls and their friends must solve the murder of Puck's father, King Oberon. They also learn about their mother's secret life.
• Magic and Other Misdemeanors: Someone is stealing magical items from powerful Everafters. Granny is busy, so the girls are on their own. Many characters are suspects, including Puss in Boots and Cinderella. The girls get pulled into the future and are surprised by what they see.
• Tales from the Hood: A special court of Everafters, led by the Queen of Hearts, wants to find Mr. Canis guilty. They want to force the Grimms out of Ferryport Landing. Puck decides to cause more mischief to protect his family. Sabrina and Daphne must find proof to save Mr. Canis.
• The Everafter War: Sabrina and Daphne’s parents wake up from their long sleep. But they are caught in a war between the Scarlet Hand and Prince Charming's Everafter army. The family works to help Prince Charming. Sabrina faces the family’s most dangerous enemy, the mysterious Master, who reveals a big secret.
• The Inside Story: This book continues right after book seven. Sabrina, Daphne, and Puck travel through the Book of Everafter. This is where all fairy tales are stored, and characters can change their destinies. The children chase the Master through different stories. They are willing to change tales to save their baby brother.
• The Council of Mirrors: The final battle begins! Sabrina, Daphne, and their family must fight the Master. He failed to escape Ferryport Landing. Now, his new plan is to defeat every Grimm family member. This way, the barrier around the town will fall. The Grimm family and the Scarlet Hand must work together against the Master. This book also shows glimpses of Sabrina's future life.
• The Sisters Grimm: A Very Grimm Guide: This guide, released in January 2012, gives extra information about Ferryport Landing, the characters, and the series. Puck supposedly edited it!

Meet the Grimm Family

• Sabrina Grimm: Sabrina has long blonde hair and blue eyes. She is stubborn and always does what she thinks is right. She often acts as the leader for Daphne and Puck. Sometimes, she feels stressed when everyone looks to her for answers. She is very protective of Daphne, wanting her sister to be safe. Sabrina and Puck often argue, but they also care for each other. In the future, she marries Puck and has two daughters, Emma and Alison.
• Daphne Grimm: Daphne is Sabrina's younger sister. She has brown hair, usually in braids. She is kind and strong-willed. Daphne helps Sabrina keep hope. She has unique habits, like biting her palm when excited. She also makes up her own words, like "gravy" (meaning cooler than cool) and "pucktastic." Daphne gets tired of Sabrina always protecting her. She grows up to give Sabrina helpful advice. Puck calls her "Marshmallow." She is very close to the family dog, Elvis. Daphne loves to eat and can sleep through almost anything, except breakfast!
• Mr. Canis/Big Bad Wolf/Tobias Clay: Mr. Canis is introduced as Granny Relda's friend. He is actually the Big Bad Wolf. His eyes glow blue in photos because of his wolf traits. He struggles with his wolf side. The Grimms help him, and he tries to remember his life before he became the wolf. He is very thin and wears a suit that seems too big. He is also the adoptive father of Little Red Riding Hood.
• Relda Grimm: Relda is Sabrina and Daphne's grandmother. She appears 18 months after the girls enter the foster system and takes them in. She has gray hair with red specks and green eyes. She introduces the girls to the world of Everafters and magic. Granny Relda used to have red hair. She is known for the strange dishes she cooks.
• Jake Grimm: The Grimm girls' uncle. He appears in the third book and becomes an important character. He likes Sleeping Beauty. He wears a long coat with many pockets filled with magical items. He has blonde hair and blue eyes.
• Puck: Puck is a 4,000-year-old fairy who looks like an 11-year-old boy. He has blonde hair, green eyes, and a mischievous grin. He has pink-streaked, insect-like wings that he can make appear. He starts living with the Grimms after helping them. Puck is also known as the Trickster King. He loves playing pranks, especially on Sabrina. He fights with a wooden sword and can fly while carrying Sabrina and Daphne. He can also change his shape, like turning his head into a donkey's. He can even burp a stream of fire after drinking soda! Puck likes being the center of attention. Despite their constant teasing, he and Sabrina have romantic feelings for each other. Puck even starts aging again, possibly to keep up with Sabrina. He is part of the royal fairy family from New York City.
• Mirror: He guards a special mirror that holds dangerous magical items from fairy tales. He is considered part of the Grimm family. Sabrina calls him her "best friend." He is later revealed to be the Master.
• Basil Grimm: Sabrina and Daphne's baby brother. He is discovered in book seven. He has bright red hair and green eyes. The Master tries to take over his body to escape the town's barrier. Basil was born while his parents were under a sleeping spell.
• Elvis: The Grimm family dog. He is a Great Dane and seems to understand what the Grimms tell him. He is harmless if he likes you. Daphne is his best friend. Elvis is good at finding clues. He cannot have sausages because they make him gassy.

Who are the Everafters?

• Mayor/Prince William Charming: He was the former mayor of Ferryport Landing. He is shown as a bit greedy and self-centered. He wants to buy up the town to make it his own kingdom. However, he becomes an unexpected friend to the Grimms. He likes Snow White.
• Baba Yaga: An extremely old witch. She helps the girls several times, but always for a price. Sabrina doesn't like her much, but Baba Yaga is very important in the final battle.
• Officer Ernest Hamstead: One of the Three Little Pigs. He was the sheriff of Ferryport Landing until Mayor Heart fired him. He is a good friend to the Grimms. He is dating Bess, who is the Cow Who Jumped Over The Moon.
• The Queen of Hearts: The current mayor of Ferryport Landing. She dislikes the Grimms and is part of The Scarlet Hand.
• Snow White: She is a teacher at the school in Ferryport Landing. She runs a self-defense group called the Bad Apples. Snow White is a strong fighter and a good friend to the Grimms. In the final book, she marries Prince William Charming and becomes the new Mayor of Ferryport Landing.
• Little Red Riding Hood: At the start of the series, she was a troubled little girl. The Grimms help her, and she now lives with them. She is shy and sweet. Sabrina sometimes struggles to accept her because Red kidnapped her parents. In the final book, she takes the Big Bad Wolf's spirit into herself to stop Prince Atticus.
• Nottingham: The sheriff of Ferryport Landing after Hamstead. He is evil and works for the Queen of Hearts. He wants to harm the Grimms to break the barrier and help the Scarlet Hand take over the world.
• Bess: Hamstead's girlfriend, first seen in book four. She is actually The Cow Who Jumped Over The Moon. She and Hamstead return to Ferryport Landing and have children.
• Veronica Grimm: The mother of Sabrina, Daphne, and Basil. She is under a sleeping spell for most of the books. She has dark hair, high cheekbones, and bright eyes. She is described as having a strong attitude.
• Henry Grimm: The father of Sabrina and Daphne. He is also under a sleeping spell for most of the books. He does not seem to like Puck and thinks he is immature. He has a warm face and blonde hair. He is often very protective of his daughters.
• Mr. Seven: Mayor Charming's former assistant. He is the seventh of the Seven Dwarves. He proves to be a strong fighter. He is one of Prince Charming's most loyal friends.
• The Mad Hatter: The judge for Mr. Canis's trial. He is very eccentric, which is why Mayor Heart chooses him. He finds Mr. Canis guilty.
• The Little Mermaid: She had a special sword needed to break the barrier. Uncle Jake, Sabrina, and Daphne had to take it from her. She is described as being very large because she started eating a lot after her husband left her. She calls humans "topsiders."
• Goldilocks: Henry Grimm's old girlfriend. She saved him from his sleeping spell. She is friends with the Three Bears and can talk to animals. She has long golden hair and freckles.
• Briar Rose: Uncle Jake's girlfriend. She is a good friend to the Grimms and often helps them. Her fairy godmothers do not approve of Uncle Jake. She is beautiful and was once married to Prince Charming. She passes away after a dragon attacks her and the family.
• Prince Atticus Charming: Prince William Charming's evil older brother. He is very cruel and violent. He was banished into the margins of the Book of Everafter. He was originally married to Snow White, but he harmed her. Bunny Lancaster rewrote the story to save Snow White. When Mirror frees him, he vows revenge.
• Morgan le Fay: A beautiful witch with dark hair. She seems to charm every man she meets. She is part of a group of witches with Baba Yaga and Bunny Lancaster.
• Bunny Lancaster/The Wicked Queen: She is Snow White's real mother, not her evil stepmother. She loved Snow White and wanted to protect her from Prince Atticus. She rewrote the story of "The Murderous Blood Prince" into "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." She also changed Prince William Charming to be good. To do this, she had to write herself as the villain, making Snow White dislike her. She is very powerful.
• Mustardseed: Puck's brother. He lives in New York and is much nicer and cleaner than Puck. He only appears in book four.
• Alison and Emma Grimm: Puck and Sabrina's two daughters, who appear at the end of book nine. They act like Sabrina and Daphne did when they were younger. Alison has wings like her father. Both girls are considered fairy princesses.
• Harry: He appears in the third book. Harry guards a later version of magic mirrors. He sacrifices himself to save the girls. He runs Billy Charming's 'Hotel of Wonders'.
• The Master: The mysterious leader of the Scarlet Hand. The Grimms try to find out who he is. In the seventh book, he is revealed to be Mirror. He tries to take over Basil Grimm's body. However, Relda lets him possess her instead. Sabrina eventually helps Granny expel Mirror from her body, and he is defeated.
• Moth: Puck's ex-fiancée and the one who harmed Oberon. She dislikes Sabrina.
• Ebanezer Scrooge: A psychic who helps the Grimm family find Oberon's killer in the fourth book. He was a good friend of Veronica Grimm.

Awards and Recognition

The Sisters Grimm series has received many honors. These include the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award. It also won the Kirkus Reviews Best Fantasy Book award. The series is also a New York Times bestseller.