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Princess Ben

(2008, Fiction - Fantasy, Written by Catherine Murdock)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Bewitching tale with a refreshingly real heroine.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 11 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Misunderstandings and naughty behavior occur, but those involved eventually realize the error of their ways. The characters experience substantial growth and evolution.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Historical violence with swordfights and the death of three people. An adult whacks a teen's hands with a rod. A person is kicked and yelled at while imprisoned.

  • Sex:

    A girl searches for suitable suitors, two teens kiss, and two weddings occur.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    People drink wine, as was common in the novel's setting.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Princess Ben

Parents need to know that there is romance and some historical violence in this novel. More importantly the novel deals with body image, societal pressures, magic, and parental death. None of the violence is graphic and the author approaches parental death with sensitivity.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how difficult it is to change your opinion of someone, particularly from bad to good. Ben's opinion of Queen Sophia was negatively influenced by her mother. Have you ever had another person's influence affect your thoughts about someone?
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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    glamgirlsg
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    I really loved this book. I thought that it was perfectly funny and serous at the same time

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Parent Reviewer
    Paaru
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Great for girls of any age

    I thought this book was fantastic. An enjoyable fantasy novel and coming of age story, the main character is strong, yet easy to identify with and matures a lot throughout the story. It also incorporates strong messages about positive body image, maturity, and understanding others, without over-emphasizing them to the point of being annoying. The story has a decent amount of plot twists, a good portion of humour, and some exciting adventure. And I can't say how much I enjoyed having a female main character who stands up for herself, but at the same time, can admit when she's wrong and tries to do better. I bought this book for my neice, but I fell in love with it myself. I'd reccomend this for girls of any age.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    librarylover321
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    A great book

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  4. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    bbucrazykeeper
    Lives in Maine
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 2.0

    It was O.K.

    I thought this book was a big disapointment, considering her other two books were amazing...i would definately reccomend Dairy Farm and The Off Season (her other books) more than this book.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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