I didn’t expect to like a book about princesses.

Boy, was I wrong.

THE PRINCESS PROTECTION PROGRAM has plenty of laughs thanks to the dialog between the cast of interesting characters. Surprising twists and turns kept me reading right to the likeable ending.

The story begins with Sleeping Beauty waking up from a 100 year nap after receiving that uninvited princely kiss. She does the unexpected and runs away, eventually ending up at the Orphans’ Home Educational Academy. The place is for princesses (and one prince) who have escaped from their fairy tales and now won’t have to face the endings of their stories.

Rosamund (Sleeping Beauty) is confused by the place with it’s modern day conveniences, and a curriculum that seems to teach the same thing over and over. There’s also a lot of cleaning going on by the princesses.

The truth is uncovered by Rosamund and a few other fairy tale friends. Witches, unicorns, fairy godmothers, giant monsters (Uponatimes), and a pizza parlor all play an intriguing role. The 224 pages go by fast and for sure will capture the admiration of middle grade readers, girls and boys alike.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: FEBRUARY 13, 2024

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alex London is the author of over 30 books for children, teens, and adults, with over 2 million copies sold. He’s the author of the middle grade Dog Tags, Tides of War, Wild Ones, and Accidental Adventures series, as well as two titles in the 39 Clues. His latest middle grade series, Battle Dragons, a cyberpunk romp pitched as The Fast and the Furious meets How to Train Your Dragon, is out from Scholastic. For young adults, he’s the author of the cyberpunk duology Proxy, an ALA Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers, Best Fiction For Young Adults, and Rainbow List selection and the epic fantasy trilogy, Black Wings Beating, an NBC Today Show Pick, a Kirkus Best Young Adult Fantasy selection, a Seventeen Magazine best of 2018 pick, and a We Need Diverse Books 2018 Must Read, and a 2020 Rainbow List selection. He’s been a journalist and human rights researcher reporting from conflict zones and refugee camps, a young adult librarian with New York Public Library, an assistant to a film agent, and a snorkel salesman. He lives with his husband, daughter, and hound dog in Philadelphia, PA.

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It’s almost time for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. Won’t you join us? It’s here I share highlights from other individuals blogging about middle grade books. Many of the posts will have reviews, interviews, and tips on writing. Take a look at PAST MMGM POSTS.

It’s easy to get a spot in the lineup. All you have to do is email me the title of the book or feature and a link to your blog at gpcolo[at]gmail[dot]com

Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so it gets sorted accurately–and don’t forget to say what you’re featuring) You MUST email me your link by Sunday evening (11 PM Eastern Time) in order to be included in the list of links for the coming Monday.

*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen reviews ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me.