Princess Princess Ever After

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