Thursday, April 7, 2011

The Ordinary Princess


Goodreads says: Along with Wit, Charm, Health, and Courage, Princess Amy of Phantasmorania receives a special fairy christening gift: Ordinariness. Unlike her six beautiful sisters, she has brown hair and freckles, and would rather have adventures than play the harp, embroider tapestries . . . or become a Queen. When her royal parents try to marry her off, Amy runs away and, because she's so ordinary, easily becomes the fourteenth assistant kitchen maid at a neighboring palace. And there . . . much to everyone's surprise . . . she meets a prince just as ordinary (and special) as she is!


I LOVE this book! I had forgotten completely about it until I recently stumbled on it over at amazon. I read the description and realized that this was one of my favorite books as a child. It was so fun to read it again. If you like Gail Carson Levine or Shannon Hale or fairy tales in general, you will enjoy this book. I love the twists and turns in the plot and how plucky and enjoyable Amy's personality is. She refuses to let her parents hire a dragon to lure in an unsuspecting prince (for the purpose of marrying her off), so she runs away and manages to figure out her own destiny. She works and enjoys it! She thinks for herself! She doesn't mind getting dirty! Needless to say, she's far different from her vapid and gorgeous (and insipid) sisters. And she's all the better for it. This is a great story for young girls (or anyone) with a very good moral. It is a short read - just over 100 pages. Definitely next on my list of 'to-read to Sarah' books. I'm so excited to share it with her.

1 comment:

Lynnette said...

Have I read this book? I don't remember. You know that I like M.M. Kaye, though. I might have to check this one out.