Princess Princess Ever After

October 1, 2016

Gr 3 Up-This fairy tale will leave readers smiling and believing in true love. Princess Amira, who is dark skinned and sports a Mohawk, doesn't want to be a princess and sets out to prove herself a capable warrior. Blonde-haired Princess Sadie is locked away in a tower. When Amira rescues Sadie, they embark on a life-changing journey filled with empowering messages about friendship, gender roles, identity, heroism, and the importance of staying true to oneself. The beautifully crafted, eye-catching illustrations of various characters, whether human or animal, are absolutely adorable. O'Neill's attention to detail, especially when it comes to characters' expressions, is strong. Kids will enjoy this quick, entertaining read and will especially love the romance between Amira and Sadie. VERDICT An excellent addition to graphic novel collections. Hand to fans of nontraditional fairy tales, such as Ursula Vernon's "Hamster Princess" series or Jeremy Whitley's "Princeless" books.-Jessica Bratt, Grand Rapids Public Library, MI

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2016
Someday your princess will come--and she'll be rocking a mohawk-mullet, wearing a jaunty tunic complete with epaulets and cravat, and riding a disdainful pink unicorn.Trapped in a tower, "big-boned" Princess Sadie, a white girl with long blonde hair, is tired of fending off unsolicited rescue attempts by princes. But when dapper, dark-skinned Princess Amira and her unicorn arrive, Sadie overcomes the inner fears and self-doubts that had imprisoned her psyche as thoroughly as the tower had her body. The two embark on adventures that include coming to the aid of an embarrassed prince, sweet-talking a sadly misunderstood ogre, and confronting Sadie's wicked older sister. The princesses' affection for each other deepens with every challenge--and every round of snappy banter--and when wedding bells ring, they're for a couple who truly know and have freely chosen one another. O'Neill delivers an alternative fairy tale that challenges conventions with every twist of the plot but doesn't veer into heavy-handed preachiness that pulls readers out of the story. The bright illustrations, clear layout, and easy-to-read type make this an inviting read. Combine a cuddly purple dragon, much sharing of cookies, abundant humor, and two distinct and appealing heroines, and you have a royal winner. (Graphic fantasy. 8-13)

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September 15, 2016
Grades 5-8 Princess Sadie is tired of princes trying to rescue her from her tower prison, but this new rescuer is differentshe's a princess! Together, Sadie and Amira forge a strong friendship that soon turns to love as they struggle to overcome their pasts and recover Sadie's lost kingdom. O'Neill's delightful fairy tale will appeal to romance lovers, fantasy/adventure fans, and readers looking for LGBT-positive stories for young readers. In addition to the sweet romance, there is sword-fighting, magic, and a simply adorable dragon. There's also a touch of kid-appropriate language (Amira is fond of the word, butthead), which is all part of the silliness that keeps the story from ever getting too dark. O'Neill's warm, friendly drawings add to the fun of this body-positive story that also features a main character of color. Appropriately for a fairy tale, O'Neill wraps things up with a wedding that promises happily-ever-after, sealed with a kiss. Give this to young romance readers, and watch them smile.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)