Princess Patricia Priscilla is about to turn 16 and have her birthday ball – the one where she must choose a suitor. She’s trying not to think too much about this, but there’s little else for a princess (in her kingdom, anyway) to do. After talking to her maid, the princess decides to sneak out of the castle and attend classes at the villagers’ school – impersonating an impoverished peasant girl. She introduces herself to the rather handsome teacher as “Pat,” and soon discovers that she has a passion for learning and for helping others. Meanwhile, preparations for the ball continue apace and we are introduced to the princess’ truly ghastly suitors. There doesn’t seem to be much she can do to get out of marrying one of them (or in the case of the conjoined twins, TWO), but, circumstances work in her favor and everyone lives happily ever after (except maybe Prince Percival – a vain fellow who accidentally burns off all of his hair). A quick, breezy, fun (and funny) fairytale. In an original fairy tale, Princess Patricia Pricilla, bored of palace life, decides to go to the village school for a few days just before her 16th birthday. At the ball in honor of her birthday, she will have to choose from several (dreadful) suitors. But, because this is a new story, nothing goes exactly as planned. A good time had by this reader, and I would daresay, by you, too, if you read this.
What do You think about The Birthday Ball (2010)?
Super cute. Lois Lowry is amazing and can write any genre it seems.
—thunder
Listened to the audio.... the reader was not to my liking.
—Philly
