The Ruby Princess Runs Away

April 1, 2020

Gr 2-5-The first book in a princess fantasy series for young readers. Author duo Jahnna Beecham and Malcolm Hillgartner transport readers to the world of the Jewel Kingdom, where each princess has a dedicated jewel and special powers to match. Princess Roxanne is about to be crowned the Ruby Princess. The day of her coronation arrives, and Roxanne becomes anxious about the stresses that this new position will bring. Instead of addressing the problem, she runs away. While she is in hiding she discovers a plot by the evil Lord Bleak to steal the Ruby throne. Roxanne, with the help of her animal friends, must stop Lord Bleak before it's too late. Magical and filled with sparkly adventure, this title will appeal to many early chapter book readers. Many children will relate to Roxanne's feeling of pressure when faced with change. Supporting characters (a dragon and a bird who acts as her royal secretary) enhance the book's whimsy. A series that will be very popular with young fans of light fantasy. VERDICT A sound recommendation for those who enjoy the Daisy Meadows's "Rainbow Magic" series. Short chapters and engaging illustrations make this title a gem for any elementary school library.-Elizabeth Pelayo, St. Charles East High School, IL

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2020
A princess tries to run from her responsibilities. It's time for the big ceremony when Roxanne will be crowned as a Jewel Princess--she'll be the Ruby Princess while her royal cousins each have their own jewel theme--and sent to reign in the Red Mountains. But she's overwhelmed by the responsibility, prefers pants to dresses, and considers herself "a regular girl" who likes active, outdoor activities, so, she runs away. But the Dreadlings who serve Lord Bleak of Castle Dread lurk in the Mysterious Forest. Roxanne has a near miss with them before befriending a dragon and a pair of distressed gnomes from the Red Mountains (her soon-to-be-subjects). From them, Roxanne learns that an imposter is headed to the coronation. Roxanne divvies up her resources to get the gnomes to safety and to make her way back to the palace herself to stop Lord Bleak's fake princess from being crowned. She arrives just in time to take her true place and capture the imposter. Though Roxanne is heroic and becomes confident in her leadership abilities, the princess-versus-tomboy dichotomy is a little tired and also muddled in execution. Roxanne has light-brown skin while her fellow Jewel Princesses (whose own star turns publish simultaneously) include a white girl, a black girl, and another girl of color; the kingdom's most important wizard is dark skinned. This princess book has a meaty plot and themes, but their execution is uneven. (Fantasy. 7-10)

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