Another lovely ‘throw back’ book, which has been a fav of since I was a middlegrader myself.  It’s soft, and sweet, but never insipid, and I’ve recently tried it out on the current generation of middlegraders and found it to be an instant favorite.  So, without further ado, let’s turn the spotlight on The Ordinary Princess!

(Sorry about the small image–I don’t like the new cover!)

If you’ve read it, you know how hard it is to sum this book up in a way that captures it’s full charm.  For starters, it’s about a princess that’s ‘cursed’ on her christening day with being ordinary–and promptly starts to scream, as any ordinary baby would.  And in a nutshell that’s what it’s all about–Amy is a girl tripping over rugs and collecting way too many freckles in a world of fairy tale castles and perfect princesses.  But, it’s about much more than that.  It’s also about a youngest sister who’s an embarrassment to her older sisters and even her parents.  About choosing to break free of the destined path your misguided parents (and kingdom!) have set you on, and doing so with wit and a wry wisdom.  It’s about acceptance of who you are, without any shades of settling or disappointment in that acceptance.  And of course it’s about love, and trust, and reaching past your personal history to build a life with someone who gets you, and you get them.

Do you see why I love it so?  And that’s before we even get into the whimsical language and delightful illustrations that are scattered throughout!  But, let’s try our resident skeptic, Apricot-kitty, and see what she has to say.

“Must we yet again discuss a squirrel book?  Or, have you forgotten Mr. Pemberthy?  If I didn’t know better, I’d think you intentionally set out to pick these stories, just to tweak my tail!  Hmph.  However, since you have asked my opinion…I found it ordinary.  Not a single surprise or twist in the whole book.”

Well, that’s what you call a second opinion!  Yes, there is a squirrel, though he plays a rather minor role (and shares that with a crow) and I confess I…can’t think of any twists.  So, beware.  The Ordinary Princess reads rather like a fairy tale and won’t blow your socks off or take your brain out for a loop. 😉

Stop by Shannon’s blog for lots of other great Marvelous Middle Grade Monday spotlights, reviews and interviews, and tell me what you’re reading!

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