Tools for this page
Print

Valentine Princess: A Princess Diaries Book

(2006, Fiction - Coming of Age, Written by Meg Cabot)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    V-Day romance fluff for Princess series fans.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    She's a strong kid who knows herself and speaks her mind, though influences of drinking and sex are around her.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Concern over disappearance of Grandmere and her new friendship with a "David Koresh-Fundamentalist-Mormon-Rasputin" type.

  • Sex:

    Mentioning of being a virgin and waiting to sleep with boys on prom night. Mia kisses her boyfriend. Girls talk about breasts being huge or being flat-chested, or having implants.

  • Language:

    Very tame. Loose teen jargon such as "sucky," "I was like," or "she was all."

  • Consumerism:

    All over the pages: Maury, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Hallmark, Kay Jewelers, Teen People, the Today Show, Michael Jackson.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Mia fixes grandmother her mixed drinks. Mom tells story of girls who died from the drug ecstasy.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Valentine Princess: A Princess Diaries Book

Parents need to know that there's prolific mention of name brands, usage of teenage jargon "like" and "she was all," and discussion of first romantic encounters. There are references to sidecar drinks, flat and big-chested girls, losing virginity on prom night, and kids using the drug Ecstasy. While this book appeals to younger tweens, the princess' teen issues are a better fit for readers 12 and up.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about Valentine's Day -- what is this holiday about? Is it a means for card companies to earn money or are there meaningful, cost-free ways to observe it? Even though Mia is a princess, how is she still relatable to readers? Why does Mia keep a journal? Parents can point out how the process of journaling helps kids make sense of events in their lives -- a valuable tool during the tumultuous tween/teen years.
Tools and tips that can help

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you read it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Valentine Princess: A Princess Diaries Book?

  •  I think this book is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    manda17
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0

    Anyone 12 and Up

    I read this book before, and I have to say a warning to parents that have younger kids interested in this book. THE MOVIE DOES NOT HAVE THE INNAPROPRIATE PARTS OF IT! This book was made into a Disney movie, but although the movie is rated PG. The book has more dirty language, and some sexual references.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    raca99
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    Wounderful!

    It is a wounderful book and that's pretty much all that to it ,its awesome!

    This review...

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

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Age 6+
    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Age-apropriate 3-D food adventure doesn't fully satisfy.

  • Issue Spotlight

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Set limits long before they get behind the wheel.

  • Must See TV

    Age 13+
    Glee

    Glee

    Edgy-but-quirky comedy's music, message will win teens over.

  • Issue Spotlight

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    Our video game experts weigh in.

  • Game of the Week

    Age 4+
    Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year's Celebration

    Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year's Celebration

    Virtual Chinese New Year with perfectly designed games.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.