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Book Summary

Reviewed by Terreece Clarke

King Guido, his queen, Gabriella, their children Prince Gianni, Vito, and Princess Fabrizia sit in their splendid castle wishing they were someplace else. Two orphaned children Pia and Enzio work very hard every day for a horrible master, all the while wishing they were in the royal family's shoes. The two families' paths cross when a thief sets the king's imagination to work and the peasant children find a mysterious pouch.

Is It Any Good?

4

Creech's clever weaving of two seemingly unrelated tales takes readers on a journey in which they will discover all that glitters can be itchy. Kids will enjoy all the trappings of a traditional fairy tale: beautiful clothes, royals, gorgeous castles and sweeping castle grounds, mean masters, noble peasant children, storytellers, and eccentric hermits. There is plenty of intrigue with poisons, snakes, and thieves. Parents will like the moral dilemmas that reach a satisfying conclusion in which both peasants and royals find value in their own circumstances. The characters also find purpose in reaching out to others.David Diaz.

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