Will a twelve-year-old princess have enough social-media savvy to save her kingdom? That’s the question behind Christine Marciniak’s middle-grade novel, Once Upon a Princess.
Young fans of The Princess Diaries will enjoy the story of twelve-year-old princess Fritzi of Colsteinburg, whose first chance to attend a ball is capped off with danger when a coup is attempted against her father. Her mother, sister, and a bodyguard take her to the Boston, MA, area, where Fritzi tries to figure out what one seventh-grader can do to set things right in her country and reunite her family — all while navigating the usual middle-school pitfalls. She’s smart and feisty, but not prudent: qualities which will both help her and hurt her along the way.
Fritzi’s social-media use is key to the outcome of this story. When she decides to make optimistic videos in an attempt to bring her country together after the coup, she learns that the geo-tagging feature (one she didn’t know about) would put her family in danger. Fritzi’s concern not only for her own interests and those of her family, but the interests of her whole country, is an admirable quality in someone so young, and she shows courage, grit, and a firm ability to lead without bullying.
Christine Marciniak, who lives in New Jersey and is the mom of two college students, adds subtle Catholic touches to her novels. In all of her books, you’ll find mention of her characters attending Mass, and Princess Fritzi’s boarding school in France is named Academie Ste. Marie. It’s nice to see fictional characters practicing their faith as a matter of course, and the author is not too heavy-handed about it.
Once Upon a Princess is appropriate (and recommended) for readers age nine and up.
Copyright 2018 Barb Szyszkiewicz
This post contains Amazon affiliate links. I was given a free review copy of this book, but no other compensation. Opinions expressed here are mine alone.
Book Notes: Christine Marciniak’s Ali Series. I interviewed the author of a series of books for teen girls that doesn’t include vampires, the occult or a desolate post-apocalyptic future.
Roasted Asparagus. Cookie sheets are not just for cookies anymore! They’re just the right size to roast vegetables in the oven. Here’s an easy recipe for oven-roasted asparagus.
On the Grill: Greek-Seasoned Steak. One of the best steak marinades we’ve tried so far. This works in pita sandwiches or (if you’re not as lazy as I am) for shish kebabs.
In the name of accentuating the positive and coming up with solutions instead of just complaining about problems, Catholic author ErinMcCole-Cupp has proposed that people who love to read good books share their lists of works of quality fiction that celebrate truth, beauty and goodness rather than tearing down the dignity of the human person.
Here are 50+ WAY Better Novels:
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith. My all-time favorite book EVER.
Rachel’s Contrition by Michelle Buckman
Death Panels by Michelle Buckman
Angela’s Song by AnnMarie Creedon
Cracks in the Sidewalk by Bette Lee Crosby
The Twelfth Child by Bette Lee Crosby
Spare Change by Bette Lee Crosby
Jubilee’s Journey by Bette Lee Crosby
Previously Loved Treasures by Bette Lee Crosby
What Matters Most by Bette Lee Crosby
Passing Through Perfect by Bette Lee Crosby
Wishing for Wonderful by Bette Lee Crosby
Don’t You Forget About Me by Erin McCole-Cupp
Jane_E., Friendless Orphan by Erin McCole-Cupp
Nest by Esther Ehrlich. YA.
Greater Treasures: A DragonEye Novella by Karina Fabian
Georgios by A.K. Frailey
The Scent of Lilacs by Ann Gabhart
In Name Only by Ellen Gable
A Subtle Grace by Ellen Gable
Emily’s Hope by Ellen Gable
Stealing Jenny by Ellen Gable
The Truth About the Sky by Katharine Grubb
Falling for Your Madness by Katharine Grubb
Genius Under Construction by Marilee Haynes. YA.
Past Suspicion by Therese Heckencamp
Casting the First Stone by Lisa Hess
A Hunger in the Heart by Kaye Park Hinckley
The Lion’s Heart by Dena Hunt
The Opposite of Hallelujah by Anna Jarzab. YA.
Julia’s Hope by Leisha Kelly
Cracks in the Ice by Deanna Klingel
A World Such as Heaven Intended by Amanda Purcell Lauer
The Paper Cowboy by Kristin Levine. YA.
Hijacked by Leslie Lynch
Unholy Bonds by Leslie Lynch
Opal’s Jubilee by Leslie Lynch
A Christmas Hope by Leslie Lynch
When Mike Kissed Emma by Christine Marciniak, YA.
Reality Ali by Christine Marciniak, YA.
Lights, Camera, Ali by Christine Marciniak, YA.
Honestly, Ali! by Christine Marciniak. YA.
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Fatal Rhythm by R. B. O’Gorman
Finding Grace by Laura Pearl
Erin’s Ring by Laura Pearl. YA.
Hush Hush by Michelle Quigley
O Little Town by Don Reid
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Best Wishes, Sister B by Fran Smith
Bird Face by Cynthia T. Toney. YA.
Digital Me by J.M. Varner. YA.
Mister Teacher Person by J.M. Varner. YA.
Breathing On Her Own by Rebecca Williams Waters
I’ve read all of these books and consider them all Really GOOD Fiction. Quality fiction. Well-written fiction. Fiction you wouldn’t be ashamed to leave around your living room, read in a public place, or have your teenager pick up and read.
I’ve met the authors of some of these books. I’ve been a beta reader for some of them. I know the care they take in crafting novels that are well-written, with interesting characters and fascinating plots–novels that show respect for both the character AND the reader. Some of these are YA, but I’ve got nothing against reading good YA stuff. This list does reflect my taste (almost no no time travel, sci-fi or dystopian stuff, although I’m sure there’s plenty of those novels out there that are of good quality.)
Not all of these authors are Catholic authors. Not all of them are indie authors. But many of them are. I have read ALL of these books and am happy to recommend them far and wide. Also, this list is limited to novels. Because it’s my list, so I’m setting the parameters.
I’m building on Erin McCole-Cupp’s challenge to Catholic media types to spend at least half the time they spend telling people why they shouldn’t go see That Movie (or read That Book) recommending positive, worthwhile entertainment in its place.
(Not that I fancy myself a Catholic media type. But I know how to tag people on Twitter, and tag I shall.)
Or you may be in a similar situation, and if you’re in a situation like that, there’s only one thing you can do:
Walk into the shrink wherever you are, just walk in, say, “Shrink, . . . you can get anything you want at Alice’s Restaurant”, and walk out.
You know, if one person, just one person, does it, they may think he’s really sick and they won’t take him.
And if two people do it, in harmony, they may think they’re both ******* and they won’t take either of them.
And if three people do it! Can you imagine three people walkin’ in, singin’ a bar of “Alice’s Restaurant” and walkin’ out? They may think it’s an Organization!
And can you imagine fifty people a day? I said FIFTY people a day . . .
Walkin’ in, singin’ a bar of “Alice’s Restaurant” and walkin’ out? Friends, they may think it’s a MOVEMENT, and that’s what it is: THE ALICE’S RESTAURANT ANTI-MASSACREE MOVEMENT! . . . and all you gotta do to join is to sing it the next time it comes around on the guitar.
With feelin’.
In the hopes that this becomes a Movement, I’ve gone through my Goodreads list and found you a whole bunch of Really GOOD Fiction. Quality fiction. Well-written fiction. Fiction you wouldn’t be ashamed to leave around your living room, read in a public place, or have your teenager pick up and read.
I’ve met the authors of some of these books. I’ve been a beta reader for some of them. I know the care they take in crafting novels that are well-written, with interesting characters and fascinating plots–and novels that show respect for both the character AND the reader. Some of these are YA, but I’ve got nothing against reading good YA stuff. This list does reflect my taste (almost no no time travel, sci-fi or dystopian stuff, although I’m sure there’s plenty of those novels out there that are of good quality.)
Not all of these authors are Catholic authors. Not all of them are indie authors. But many of them are. I have read ALL of these books and am happy to recommend them far and wide. Also, this list is limited to novels. Because it’s my list, so I’m setting the parameters.
My very favorite book EVER. I’m on my third copy.
In no particular order of preference, except for #1. I sorted my Goodreads list by author. If you want to see what I liked about these books, you can read my reviews at Goodreads.
Here are 50 WAY Better Novels:
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith. My all-time favorite book EVER.
Cracks in the Sidewalk by Bette Lee Crosby
The Twelfth Child by Bette Lee Crosby
Spare Change by Bette Lee Crosby
Jubilee’s Journey by Bette Lee Crosby
Previously Loved Treasures by Bette Lee Crosby
What Matters Most by Bette Lee Crosby
Passing Through Perfect by Bette Lee Crosby
Wishing for Wonderful by Bette Lee Crosby
Don’t You Forget About Me by Erin McCole-Cupp
Jane_E., Friendless Orphan by Erin McCole-Cupp
Nest by Esther Ehrlich. YA.
Greater Treasures: A DragonEye Novella by Karina Fabian
