Common Sense Media Review
By Terreece Clarke
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bewitching tale with a refreshingly real heroine.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Princess Ben was a plump and content princess with a wonderful family that kept her shielded from the royal court. When her parents and the king die mysteriously, Ben is at the mercy of her aunt, Queen Sophia, and the invading army of a neighboring kingdom.
Is It Any Good?
Catherine Murdock joins the ranks of writers who seek to reinvent the fairytale genre with wit, fun, and a dash of feminism. Indeed, Princess Ben is a real girl's princess; she sulks, gets angry, has no time for the foolishness of Queen Sophia's "lessons," and is far from the willowy thin princesses of other stories (the girl likes her treacle tart). She holds her own destiny in her hands, and her evolution from sheltered, indulged child to selfless, proactive ruler gives this tale a modern edge.
Beyond the fantastic heroine, there are so many adventures, surprises, and plot twists that readers won't be able to put the book down. If they can get past the sometimes overly flowery language, readers and parents alike will love Ben's story.
Talk to Your Kids 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?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Houghton Mifflin Children's Books
- Publication date : March 30, 2008
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 10
- Number of pages : 344
- Last updated : July 13, 2017
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