From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess

March 9, 2015
The nation of Genovia gains a new
resident in this amusing spin-off of Cabot’s Princess Diaries series: self-effacing, biracial Olivia, a 12-year-old aspiring wildlife artist who discovers
that she is the half-sister of Princess Mia Thermopolis. Because Olivia’s long-dead mother insisted that Olivia live in New Jersey with her aunt and uncle (who are only slightly more benign than Harry Potter’s kin), Olivia doesn’t know that the father she has never met is the prince of Genovia. Princess Mia dramatically appears at Olivia’s private school just as an angry classmate, Annabelle, is preparing to pummel her; she whisks Olivia off to Manhattan to meet her father and Grandmère, who wastes no time in informing Olivia how a princess ought to comport herself. Though there’s a bump in the road to Olivia’s new royal digs, she at last lands in Genovia, where plans for Mia’s wedding are in full swing. Text-message exchanges and Cabot’s own b&w cartoons further enliven Olivia’s entertaining and candid notebook entries, which will have readers looking forward to her future escapades. Ages 8–12. Agent: Laura Langlie.

October 1, 2015

Gr 3-7-Young listeners will rejoice to return to the kingdom of Genovia with Princess Mia and her 12-year-old sister, Olivia Grace Clarisse Mignonette Harrison. Despite her royal name, Olivia always considered herself to be completely average. Since her mother died, she has lived with her maternal aunt and uncle; she doesn't enjoy all of the luxuries that her two cousins have, but she is treated well. Things start to change, however, the day that popular Annabelle starts to bully her and threatens to beat her up after school. Olivia is rescued by none other than Princess Mia, who whisks Olivia away in a limousine to meet her father for the first time and introduce her to the royal lifestyle. Kathleen McInerney gives Olivia an exuberant, youthful voice that fits her personality, and effectively portrays the regal Princess Mia, Grandmere, and even the king himself with appropriate inflection. A conversation with Cabot is included in the recording. Although this is a good, if slim, introduction to the series to come, a few questions about Olivia's situation remain unanswered. VERDICT Those who loved the movies will be thrilled to be able to read more about this royal family. ["This bubble-gum flavored contemporary tale will be a perfect fit for Fancy Nancy alumni and readers not quite ready for Cabot's longer novels": SLJ 6/1/15 review of the Feiwel & Friends book.]-MaryAnn Karre, formerly of Binghamton City School District, NY

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