The Princess Protection Program

Fairy tale-based messages of empowerment come through loud and clear in this fun yet thought-provoking adventure by London (Search and Rescue). After waking to a strange prince's lips on hers, 16-year-old Princess Rosamund, or Sleeping Beauty, arrives at Orphans' Home Educational Academy, or HEA, with no clue as to how she got there. She is soon absorbed into a training program for "wayward fairy-tale characters, to prepare them for new and happy lives in the wide world known as 'reality.' " With her two new friends, princesses Sirena and Rana, Rosamund begins exploring reality which, "as the teachers reminded her all day long, was no fairy tale." She's particularly engrossed in Pizza Arcade, an establishment run by three teen boys and their mother. The more time passes, the more comfortable Rosamund becomes in her new normal, until story-specific beasts called Uponatimes arrive, determined to drag each escapee back to their origins. In this tale of tales whose protagonist sometimes reads as too mature for the target audience, Rosamund evolves from a timid princess archetype into an inquisitive heroine who uses her voice to question what she's told and shake up the status quo. The narrative's emphasis on the power of embracing change and standing together against adversity provides a solid foundation for an engaging, lighthearted adventure. Ages 8-12. Agent: Robert Guinsler, Sterling Lord Literistic. (Feb.)

The Princess Protection Program is a delightful tongue in cheek twist on fairy tales and the magic school genre. Mixing the modern with the magical, author Alex London skewers popular fairy-tale tropes with a sharp wit and a loving, lighthearted touch, telling an empowering story where princesses learn to be their own fairy godmothers. An action-packed fantasy romp that young readers won't want to put down. — Soman Chainani, author of The School for Good and Evil

A slick, sly, and clever love letter to fairytales. London's characters are achingly real and full of hope and yearning in their pursuit of an ending on their own terms. The Princess Protection Program is a celebration of changing the narrative to fit the person you are and not the person people want you to be. It's the fairytale we need. — Roshani Chokshi, New York Times-bestselling author of Aru Shah and the End of Time

A clever and laugh-out-loud tale of friendship, magic, and princesses—and a prince—who learn to rewrite their own stories. Absolutely charming. — Sarah Mlynowski, New York Times-bestselling author of the Whatever After and Best Wishes series

A unique and exciting take on fairy tales, The Princess Protection Program is a fast-paced, fun, and whimsical read about defining your own destiny. — Claribel A. Ortega, New York Times-bestselling author of the Witchlings series