Ratpunzel (Hamster Princess #3)

Gr 3-6--Harriet, the intrepid hamster princess warrior who broke the curse placed on her at birth (Harriet the Invincible) and rescued the 12 dancing mice princesses (Of Mice and Magic), goes up against an evil sorceress. Trouble's in the air at Harriet's best friend Prince Wilbur's castle: an egg laid by his mother's hydra, a nine-headed creature appropriately named Heady, has gone missing. Harriet and Wilbur leap onto their quails and gallop off to solve the mystery. Along the way, they meet Dame Gothel, a mysterious, cloak-clad gerbil with a flair for magic, and her ward, Ratpunzel, a rodent who's been imprisoned within a tower (by lowering her long tail, she allows visitors access). Subverting gender stereotypes (Wilbur is the gentle and more thoughtful foil to impulsive and bold Harriet) and skewering fairy-tale tropes left and right (sweet Ratpunzel's innocent and trusting nature is hilariously absurd), this slim, dialogue-heavy, action-packed volume is packed with wit that's broad enough to appeal to children yet clever enough to win over adults. Two-tone cartoon illustrations break up the text, adding humor and giving the work a graphic novel-like feel. VERDICT Hand this can't-miss installment to followers of the series, fans of comedy mixed with adventure, and those seeking an alternative to traditional princess stories.--Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Praise for Hamster Princess: Ratpunzel

"Packed with wit that's broad enough to appeal to children yet clever enough to win over adults...Hand this can't-miss installment to followers of the series, fans of comedy mixed with adventure, and those seeking an alternative to traditional princess stories." —School Library Journal

"Harriet is as delightful as ever.... As long as Vernon keeps Harriet's adventures coming, fans new and old are boundto keep reading them." — Booklist

"Vernon pokes gentle fun at all of her characters—especially lovable Harriet—and offers a humorous feminist critique of the princess genre." —Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Hamster Princess: Harriet the Invincible:

A Publishers Weekly Best of 2015 Book
A 2015 Texas Bluebonnet nominee

* "A joy to read, and we can only hope that Harriet - long may she reign - will return in later installments." —Booklist, starred review

* "Move over, Babymouse, there's a new rodent in town!...Vernon has created a spunky heroine readers will cheer for and who will leave them eagerly searching for the happily ever after in the next installment." —School Library Journal, starred review

* "Harriet is her own hamster, but she takes her place proudly alongside both Danny Dragonbreath and Babymouse. Creatively fresh and feminist, with laughs on every single page." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "A book with all the makings of a hit. Readers will be laughing themselves silly." —Publishers Weekly, starred review