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.

April 1, 2015
Olivia's middle school worries get a lot easier when she gets the surprise of a lifetime. The most exotic things about Olivia Grace Clarisse Mignonette Harrison are her long name, her talent for drawing, and the facts that her mother died when she was a baby and she's never actually met her father, who sends letters and gifts from all over the world. Other than that, she's pretty average. At least, that's what she thinks until a sister she's never met arrives in the schoolyard just in time to save Olivia from getting beaten up by Anabelle Jenkins, who used to be nice but whose desire for popularity is sprouting into bullying behavior. What's even more shocking is her lineage: pure princess! The best part of all? Meeting her dad for the first time. Cabot turns her Princess Diaries brand to a younger crowd, who will be thrilled to fall into the age-old fantasy of kids everywhere: what if my real mom or dad lived in a palace? Cabot manages to combine wit and lavish details to positive effect, as evidenced by a royal grandmother who manages to be both familiar and surprising. While readers who already know the Princess Diaries might find this fairy tale a bit too retold, young newcomers to the Cabot magic will be charmed. A sweet fantasy, both funny and highly satisfying. (Fiction. 8-12)

June 1, 2015

Gr 3-5-Return to the world of Cabot's widely popular series in this sweet and sassy spin-off featuring the younger half sister of Princess Mia Thermopolis, Olivia Grace Clarisse Mignonette Harrison. Olivia, a biracial sixth grader with dreams of growing up to be a wildlife illustrator, believes herself to be completely ordinary and average. In fact, that's how she's being raised by her Aunt and Uncle O'Toole. Consumed with texting her BFF Nishi and avoiding an afternoon scrape with Annabeth, the most popular girl in middle school, Olivia's world is about to become a reality show when her sister Mia arrives in a chauffeured limousine, ready to whisk her back to her rightful home in Genovia. Readers familiar with Cabot's previous books know that these princesses are made of tough stuff and use their brains (as well as their bodyguards and limousines) to save themselves and make the world a better place. Olivia's voice comes through strongly in the text, though her overuse of exclamatory phrases can be a bit off-putting. VERDICT 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.-Meg Allison, The Moretown School, VT

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2015
Grades 4-7 The popular Cabot introduces a delightful new protagonist in this Princess Diaries offshoot for younger readers. Since her mom died when she was a baby, 12-year-old Olivia has had to live with her aunt Catherine's family in New Jersey. Though life is not always easyincluding dealing with her not-so-charming stepcousinsaspiring wildlife-illustrator Olivia considers her life, and herself, pretty average. Then one fateful day, life changes again when superceleb Princess Mia Thermopolis of Genovia appears, reveals she's Olivia's half sister, and takes Olivia to Manhattan to happily meet, and be invited to live with, their royal dad in Genovia. However, not everyone supports Olivia's good fortune, as intrigue and opportunists are revealed. Ultimately, though, exciting times await, as Olivia's Genovian adventure begins. Olivia is a lively, biracial character whose wry, diary-style narrative details her experiences and progressive discoveries about her background, royal life, and the true meaning of family. Interspersed with Cabot's black-and-white illustrations, Olivia's texts with BFF Nishi, and contemporary pop-culture references, this entertaining, quickly absorbing read will have readers anticipating the sequel.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Cabot's perennial popularity ensures that younger readers will receive strong word of mouth from moms and big sisters. Be sure to have a couple of copies on hand.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)