A couple of them are kind of cheating—Bitterblue, because she's technically the queen; Catherine, Called Birdy, because she's the daughter of a minor nobleman and not actually a princess, but I figure that's close enough especially considering that I just haven't read that many good princess books yet. In any case, they're both fantastic stories that I think a reader who's into princesses will also enjoy.
In case you're wondering, my favorites of this list are:
Picture books: The Paper Bag Princess, The Magic Nesting Doll, The Glass Mountain, The Lady and the Lion, Ella's Big Chance, and Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal. (Oh—have just realized that Ella's Big Chance is also cheating, because it's a jazz version of Cinderella and therefore technically not a princess story. But it's the Cinderella story, so I say it works.)
Junior/YA fiction: actually, all of them. I love every one of those novels dearly. If I had to pick two, it'd be Bitterblue and The Goose Girl. Next would be The Two Princesses of Bamarre and East, and then the last two—but I don't want to downplay any of them because really, they're all excellent.
Now, help me out with more suggestions, because princess books really aren't my thing! I'm looking for stories in which the princess is the hero, not the prize—it's especially good if she saves the prince. Queens are also acceptable. I feel like Robin McKinley will probably pop up here, which is good, because I've been meaning to read her books for years since my roommates recommended them back in college, and I just haven't yet! That's a goal for this year, then. What else?
You've probably read Ella Enchanted. All of Gail Carson Levine's work is good. Another good one is Just Ella, which is about what happens to Cinderella after she married the prince (hint: she's not really happy with it.)
ReplyDeleteThis one isn't a princess book, but have your read Shadow Spinner? It's about a young girl who helps Scherezade (from the 1001 Nights) find stories to tell the Sultan so he doesn't kill her.
I have read Ella Enchanted, but I've been thinking I need to read it again because it was several years ago, and I remember not getting that excited about it. I did love Shadow Spinner, though! My whole family read it back when my mom was homeschooling my brothers for a couple years; they liked it so much that they passed it around to the rest of us. It's a good one. Just Ella sounds familiar, so I wonder if I've seen it around the library. I'll look it up!
ReplyDeleteThe Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C Wrede, starting with Dealing with Dragons.
ReplyDeleteSleeping Ugly by Jane Yolen.
ReplyDeleteThe Paperbag Princess was my (oldest) daughter's favorite book when she was little. I second Melissa for Jane Yolen (she is a fantastic writer). I think you pretty much have a complete list. Off genre, Karen Cushman (Catherine, called Birdy) is my favorite YA writer. All of her female characters are strong, capable, smart girls. And if you're looking for more girl-centered, girl power YA message books, Sarah Strohmeyer's latest, Smart Girls get what they want, is a delight.
ReplyDeleteKaren Cushman is one of my favorites, too, Risa, and I know I like Jane Yolen even though I haven't read that one yet. I've seen it at work, so I'll have to check it out next time I'm there.
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to read Dealing with Dragons for forever, Lis! One of these days I will finally get to it, I swear.
Also, I was right that I have noticed Just Ella at the library, but I haven't read it. I've been meaning to read some Margaret Peterson Haddix, too—she's really popular right now—so I think that will be an excellent way to start.
Thanks for the suggestions! I've actually read a few in the last couple days that I was also going to mention here, but I've forgotten what they were. I'll let you know when I remember.