SOLVED. Children's Fantasy with Transportation to a Fantasy Realm

[Rachel]

I read this book in the late 90s or very early 2000s. I'm pretty sure it was in the children's section of the library. It had kind of an Eva Ibbotson feel, but I know for sure that she wasn't the author. The book cover had a lot of yellow on it, possibly a yellow border around the cover image. (I think the cover image may have had a girl with long blond hair who was flying on some kind of magical creature or magic carpet or something, but I'm pretty unsure about that detail.)

The main character was a girl who for some reason was living in a dingy attic of a house. I think that the family she lived with her treated her like a servant. The family also had a son who was a spoiled brat.

One night, both the girl and the boy are transported to a fantasy realm. The girl's trip there is pleasant and fun and she enjoys it and goes along willingly. The boy is kidnapped by whatever the creatures are (birds of some kind maybe?) and has a very unpleasant journey.

I don't remember much more of the plot, I think that the boy and girl don't know that the other has been taken to the new realm at first- I think the girl is with the "good guys" and the boy is with the "bad guys" for the first part of the story. By the end, the girl and boy are in love and the boy has realized what a jerk we was to her before. There is also a roc at one point (ginormous legendary bird) and I think it helps the boy and girl in some way.

[Merrilee]

You query reminds me of the Voyage of the Bassett series. Voyage of the Basset is the original book. A few YA authors did a spinoff series that starts with Islands in the Sky. I haven't read these in ages, but maybe it is one of these?

[Holly]

Sounds interesting! Is it anything on this list? https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...

[Rachel]

I'm like 99% sure it's Islands in the Sky. Thanks so much for the help! I didn't even know it was part of series, but now I want to read all of the books!

[Merrilee]

Awesome! Let us know. I'm going to have to reread these now. I DO own them after all...

[Michele]

Islands in the Sky or Islands in the Sky or Island in the Sky or The Island in the Sky? Don't leave us wondering!

[Merrilee]

Probably the one I mentioned in my post.

[Michele]

Merrilee wrote: "Probably the one I mentioned in my post."

Ah, I see. Thanks.

[Merrilee]

I actually think this is the second time I've solved a query with this book. I guess Hope Glover and her wings are very memorable...