Book Review by E: "The Thirteenth Princess" (Diane Zahler)

I read the first couple of chapters a few months ago while I was at the library, but I didn't get to finish it that day. This week, I looked for it again so I could bring it home because I wanted to find out what would happen. The author roped me in quickly and I just had to know what happened!

"The Thirteenth Princess" is kind of a retelling of the classic fairytale "The Twelve Dancing Princesses," but in this version there was one more princess and when her father found out she wasn't a boy, he sent her to be a scullery maid. Her sisters all know she's a princess and let her sleep with them every Sunday, but then the first twelve start to get sick because they're all so tired and they hardly eat and can't pay attention, but the thirteenth princess discovers the real source of their "illness."

This book is definitely for girls, probably ages 9 to 13. Younger kids might like it, but there are some scary parts involving potential tragedy, deep enchantments, and evil people. There's some light name calling, but only in teasing.

Book Review by E: "Alanna, The First Adventure" (Tamora Pierce)

"Alanna, The First Adventure" is the first in the "Song of the Lioness" series by Tamora Pierce. It's about a girl who wants to be a knight in a mythical world where the gods are magical. Her father wants to send her to a convent to become a lady. He wants to send her brother to become a knight, but the brother wants to receive the magical training the convent provides boys. So the kids trade places so each of their dreams can come true. But being a knight turns out to be a lot more difficult than she had expected.

This story seems geared more toward girls because it follows Alanna's story, not really her brother's story. The book is probably good for readers ages 9 and older. Some adults may also enjoy it. It's not really appropriate for younger children because there's fighting and name calling.

I would recommend this book to adventurous girls who aren't in a hurry. It's not a quick read and there are some pretty big words. If you were just getting into chapter books, you probably wouldn't understand most of it.

Since the book was first published in 1983, the cover art has varied. So make sure you're spelling the title correctly when you type it in the library or internet search tool. You can read more about the book at the author's website here. Here are some of the covers, but go to her website if you want to see them all:

Book Review by E: "The Night Fairy" (Laura Amy Schlitz)

"The Night Fairy" was a very good book, especially for young girls. It's a quick read about a fairy who is born an hour before midnight, but she loses her wings and has to survive in the garden of a human. She is used to being out at nigh,t but she has to become a daytime fairy to survive the nighttime creatures.

I would say the book is appropriate for ages 6 to 12. There aren't any really big words, but it's not a super-low reading level either.

There's not really anything scary or rude about this book. There's a spider who threatens to eat the hummingbird, and a squirrel who could use some manners, but other than that, it's pretty tame.

There may be some boys who would be interested in this book, but since it's about fairies, and more specifically a girl fairy, girls may be more attracted to the story.

I would recommend this book to young readers who are interested in fairies that aren't particularly glittery.