I read the first one a little while ago, and while I found it sweet, I din't think it was that great. I think it just shows its age, and it's even more apparent with this one, for some reason. it's still a nice book, just not that awesome. ( )

In this second installment of The Princess Diaries series, Mia Thermopolis continues to struggle with being the tallest and most flat-chested girl in her high school, as well as flunking algebra and oh, yeah, being heir to the throne of Genovia. Now she faces even more problems: her mother is pregnant with her algebra teacher's baby, and now they're getting married! She has a huge crush on her best friend's brother Michael. Her grandmother continues to torture her with "princess lessons" - except now she has to give an interview on national television about her life as an American princess. And now she's getting notes from a secret admirer, whose myseterious identity is driving her nuts. Not a lot happens in this book in terms of plot, but it's still entertaining because of Mia's snarky, hilarious voice. I definitely understand why this series is so popular, especially among younger girls. It's definitely a guilty pleasure...but I plan to keep reading.

Mia Thermopolis, the Princess of Genovia, continues her cutesy adventures in this second book in the Princess Diaires series. Book 2 finds Mia in the midst of a whole lot of drama: Mia's mom, Helen, announces she is pregnant with Mia's math teacher's baby and Grandmere tries to plan an elaborate wedding for Helen despite Mia's protests. While trying to mediate between her parents and grandmother, Mia is also trying to uncover the identity of her secret admirer: jocrox.
Mia's voice is loud and clear in this book. She is hilarious, self-depricating, and extremely loveable. I found myself hoping all the way through that Michael was her jocrox. ( )

I totally didn't mention it in my review for The Princess Diaries but at the beginning of the novel, there was a quote from A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I just have to add them because I loved the book and movie.

From volume one:
"Whatever comes," she said, "cannot alter one thing. If I am a princess in rags and tatters, I can be a princess inside. It would be easy to be a princess if I were dressed in cloth of gold, but it is a great deal more of a triumph to be one all the time when no one knows it."

And in volume two:
When things are horrible -- just horrible -- I think as hard as ever I can of being a princess. I say to myself, "I am a princess." You don't know how it makes you forget.

And now, on to more "me" on this sequel... well, considering how I finished it in one sitting, taking only a short washroom break... I think you can say that I enjoyed it. =)
This time Mia has to deal with so much again, while still getting used to the idea of being a princess and everything. Then the whole secret admirer thing kept me guessing. But I figured it out before it was revealed. I just wish that Michael and Mia would just confess already.. it's so obvious that they like each other. It's the cutest thing ever. And then the thing with Mia's mom and Mr. G... so romantic. And awesome. Gosh, I really don't want to spoil for those who haven't read it. This is the thing with reviews for sequels... you don't want to ruin the first books while trying to talk about the current book. Well, book three here I come! ( )

Mia who lives in New York was preparing to presume her position as Princess in Genovia. One morning Mia’s mother informed her that she was pregnant and her grandmother called and told her she was going to be on national television. Before the interview for national television Mia got sick but received an uplifting letter from a secret admirer. After finding out about Mia’s mother’s pregnancy her grandma went crazy planning the wedding. There was so much excitement over the wedding that Mia’s mother eloped and Mia found out that her secret admirer was her Biology partner, Kenny. ( )

good book ( )

It's been a while since I read the first book in this series, and I'd forgotten how funny Mia's accounts of her daily life are. I listened to the audiobook on the bus, and the poor man sitting next to me was quite started by my outbursts of laughter.
Yes, the story is silly and predictable, but Mia is charming and only self-absorbed enough to seem realistic.
Also, her homework is harder then I remember mine being. ( )

Cabot, M. (2001). Princess in the Spotlight. New York: HarperCollins.

Grade Levels: 6-8

Category: Fiction

Read-Alouds: pp. 1 (Monday, October 20, 8 AM); pp. 6-9(Monday, October 20, English); pp. 208-223 (Saturday, November 1, 2 p.m.)

Summary: Mia who lives in New York was preparing to presume her position as Princess in Genovia. One morning Mia’s mother informed her that she was pregnant and her grandmother called and told her she was going to be on national television. Before the interview for national television Mia got sick but received an uplifting letter from a secret admirer. After finding out about Mia’s mother’s pregnancy her grandma went crazy planning the wedding. There was so much excitement over the wedding that Mia’s mother eloped and Mia found out that her secret admirer was her Biology partner, Kenny.

Themes: One issue that could be discussed with students is journal entries. Mia had to write about herself in a journal for her English class. I think this book would be good for English teachers to introduce journals because of the format of the journals that Mia wrote. She would write the title of the journal and subtitles to go along with the main subject. Another issue was self image because of the way Mia saw herself. One time Mia was talking about herself and comparing herself to celebrities. She had made a list of celebrities like Britney Spears and Tori Spelling and she compared her breast to their breast. I think the issue of Mia’s looks would be a great concept to talk about because of all the pressure that teenagers do go through because of appearance. In addition to self image was self esteem. Mia didn’t have a boyfriend and she was known as a geek. Most of all she never thought any boy would ever like her, until she got a letter from a secret admirer. Then Mia felt better about herself because some boy had written to her that he liked her. I think this would be a good issue to discuss with students because they could learn that a simple gesture or compliment can make a difference in someone’s life.

Discussion Questions: Why is the name of the book called Princess in the Spotlight? What events in the book take place that make this a good title for the book?
What happened during Mia’s interview on Twenty-Four/Seven?
Explain the episode of Lily Tells It Like It Is and Mia’s involvement in her show.

Reader Response: I liked how this book started with a journal of Mia’s life. I also liked the way the author tied the journal of Mia’s life into an English assignment. The first few pages explained how Mia had found out about her father being a Prince and how she was a Princess. I also liked the suspense of Mia having a secret admirer. The part in the book about Mia’s secret admirer reminded me of the movie You’ve Got Mail because they communicate by instant message too.

princess lessons, school, boy friends, and worst controling Genovia. How can Mie handle it all. ( )

Another exciting book about Mia Thermoplos and her boy troubbles and all the other things that she would conciter troubbles. ( )

http://quettandil.blogspot.com/2008/0... ( )

Read by Kelly, Spring 2006:
"I remember seeing the first movie that was made and my sister has some of the books in the series so I decided to borrow it. The book is written in a diary format and is definitely a choice for girls that are in junior high/high school. The books follow from one to the other. If not having seen the movie, it might have been a little hard to follow but the movie was very different from the actual series. I enjoyed reading it, it was fun. Well since it is truly a girl series I could see it being used as a literature circle book."

This was a good book. I started reading the first book and I really enjoyed it. It is about a girl named Mia that is learning how to survive teen age years and how to survive being a princess. If you are looking for a quick read this is the book to read. You should read the books in order because they make more sense. ( )

I think this is the best princess diaries book. I enjoyed it the most. Good hijinks and completely identifiable situations. Besides, I love Mia. ( )

Mia is just getting use to the idea of being a princess when her mother makes a big announcement, not to mention she has to do an interview with a major news show. ( )

Just a really fun read. Poor Mia, how can you not fall in love with her in all of teenage angst. The characters are great, the story line is fun, and the whole novel is utterly readable. ( )

http://hockeycrew.com/blog/archives/8... ( )

I read the first one a little while ago, and while I found it sweet, I din't think it was that great. I think it just shows its age, and it's even more apparent with this one, for some reason. it's still a nice book, just not that awesome. ( )

After seeing the movie, I had to read the book!
Then i was HOOKED!
This is a very good book, as wll as the whole series. ( )

I was really pleased with this book, as well as the first one about Mia. It's amazing and perfectly captures the lead character's angst while remaining absolutely hilarous. My favorite part has got to be when Martha Stewart helps Mia with her outfit. Read this book! ( )

I originally read this because my dd loved the movie someone suggest I read her hte book. The book is quite different from the movie and was not appropriate to read ot her, but it was a light hearted quick read for me! ( )