Classic teen girly book. I liked it a ton more than the movie, Grandmere is such a better character (even though Julie Andrews is great). Nice inner monologue of a teen girl trying to find her place in the world. ( )

Mia was a normal(but a little strange)girl in NY.
However,one day she became a princess because her father is a prince of a small cauntry!
But she have many problems with her friends and family...
I enjoyed reading this because it's amazing story.
I heard that this story became a movie.
I want to wacth it too. ( )

This is a comedic take on a life changing experience. Mia learns that she is the heiress to Genovea and her grandmother wants her to take over as Queen. Her grandmother trains her and teachers her to become a Queen. Mia goes through many obstacles. Read this book to see if Mia takes the thrown and what her possible challenges are. ( )

thies book is very interasting and nice store bacouse its took about the gils
Alia ( )

This is one of the few books you'll find that I'll read after I see the movie. I had never heard of this book before seeing the movie (although the cover did look a bit familiar). I even remember actually enjoying the soundtrack ("I'm supergirl!") and according to Amazon.com, both the movie and book came out in 2001(?). That's odd, because usually there's some sort of downtime between the book year and the movie year.

Since I had already seen the movie (at least twice), I knew what I was getting myself into. Average girl finds out she's a princess.. yippie. The book is written in journal format in very "teenager-like" sentences. At first, the simple writing annoyed me, but eventually I learned to like it. The style of the main character Mia really grew on me, and her random sprouts of neurosis were definitely entertaining.

My friend in my high school year book class first mentioned this book to me, citing that the movie left out a lot of things - and she was right! But unlike most cases, I'm going to have to agree with Disney on what they cut out. They left out her mom's new algebra-teaching boyfriend and the dad and Tina character all together. But all three things, although they helped the story, were very extrenuous. They were all interesting points in her life, but as far as the princess plot went, they barely contributed. In fact, it took a few hundred page (500 total) for Mia to even realize she was supposed to be a princess. I can imagine someone who had never read the book before must be wondering, "when is this princess stuff going to go down?"

Disney took a much smarter route in what they left AND what they added. They left out all the aforementioned characters, because they really didn't help the story. They did, however, add more onto the second-romantic interest of Mia. Although, Michael may be touched on in any of the other 4 books (which I'm sure he is). The Disney movie also had something else the book did not - a conclusion! The movie wrapped up nicely and the book more so just ended. Eventually I'll read the other books, but I'm in no hurry. ( )

I've been thinking about reading this book for a while, and finally did. It didn't cover much time (which must be why there are a zillion sequels), and was pretty different from the movie. It was still great though. I listened to it on CD and it was read by Anne Hathaway, which was a nice touch. ( )

I'm studying YA (okay, I need even *more* fluff in my reading life). Some are better than others. This one is cute bordering on annoying. I can see the appeal. it's like a train wreck. ( )

Totally distracting and entertaining and it is easy to listen to this book while doing other things because it doesn't really require your undivided attention (maybe that is because I am 30 and the intended audience is... 13?)
My only complaint (I am actually listeniing to the second book in the series right now-Princess in the Spotlight) is that Mia repeatedly mentions certain essential elements in her journal, like Lily has been her bff since kindergarten, and her grand-mere has tatooed eyeliner... ( )

Fourteen-year-old Mia, who is trying to lead a normal life as a teenage girl in New York City, is shocked to learn that her father is the Prince of Genovia, a small European principality, and that she is a princess and the heir to the throne. (BCCLS) ( )

I know Meg Cabot's books aren't the most challenging, the most intellectual, or the most nutritious for my mind, but I'm addicted anyway. I've read a lot of her books for adults, but I never got around to The Princess Diaries series. In the first installment, we meet Mia Thermopolis, a high school freshman whose most pressing concerns are her flat chest and her F in algebra. Then her father, whom she hasn't seen in a long time, comes back into her life with the astonishing news that she is actually the heir to the throne of Genovia, a small European principality between France and Italy. Mia is not thrilled by this news, convinced that it will make her life at school a living hell (a belief that turns out to be somewhat justified). She turns to her journal to rant about her schoolwork, her life, and her mixed emotions about being a princess. Mia's voice is funny and realistic, and her portrayals of high school life are (from what I remember) pretty true-to-life. I think I would have enjoyed these books more if I'd read them in high school (or middle school). As it is, I find them a fun diversion, but I'd rather read something with a little more meat to it.

Mia’s life is turned upside down when she finds out that she’s a real-life princess. Suddenly, she’s got more to worry about than who is going to take her to the Cultural Diversity Dance. Great summer read! The rest of the series is good as well. ( )

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, v. 54 no4 (December 2000) p. 137.

Clever and funny. This book is a breath of fresh air to readers of YA fiction who are tired of the two prevailing YA stereotypes: the jaded, cynical, ever-judgmental heroine or the snobby, ultra-perfect wannabe princess. Cabot's protagonist is clumsy and lovable, not in spite of her flaws, but because of them. Readers may become annoyed with Mia's incessant dislike of her body, but not enough to put down the book. Some parents may balk at the very PG-13 references to "putting out" as well a Mia's casual descriptions of same-sex couples in her New York neighborhood, but otherwise the book is pretty mild compared to other YA lit. This sometimes outrageous, always uproarious novel is saucier than the Disney movie--in all the right ways! ( )

I picked up this book because I recently read rave reviews about the final installment in the series- Forever Princess. I am determined to read all 10 books about Princess Mia Thermopolis, a freshman girl who lives with her single mother in a New York apartment when she learns she is actually the Princess of Genovia. Mia's story is told entirely through her journal entries, and it's difficult not to laugh at her awkwardness. Not only does she claim she has no chest whatsoever, but she is also the tallest girl in the freshman class, and she also has the worst hair (until her grandmother has something to do about it). Mia complains about her mother's decision to date Mia's algebra teacher and her father's order that she must take princess lessons from her very mean grandmother. The book is a hoot, and Cabot has a knack for creating memorable characters. I can't wait to read the sequel, Princess in the Spotlight. ( )

I had actually read The Princess Diaries before. Like, when it first came out... so I didn't remember most of it. But I've been going through this Meg Cabot phase and decided that I was going to read the entire series. Which is why I read the first novel again. And I absolutely loved it.
If you've seen the movie starring Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrew, then you're probably familiar with the plot... young American girl finds out that she is actually a princess of a small country in Europe. There were a lot of differences from the book and movie though...
1. Mia's dad is not dead; he did have cancer and now can't have children again but not dead
2. Mia calls her grandmother "grandmere" because they speak in French to one another
3. Mia is only a freshman but I think she's maybe a senior in the movie, which is why she drives in the movie
And just a few other things. But that's understandable; it happens all the time- Harry Potter, Twilight. Either way, I liked it. And if you've been paying attention to my In My Mailbox entries, you would have noticed that I've already purchased the next 4 books in the series and 3 other Meg Cabot books to read. So, I'm going to hit up on the next 4 Princess Diaries... and then read something else (not Meg Cabot-- depending on what I'm feeling.) ( )

A New York girl, named Mia lived with her mother in a loft apartment. One day Mia’s father called to say he couldn’t have anymore children because of his cancer surgery. At first Mia thought that the news wasn’t such a big deal until she finds out that she was the Princess of Genovia. She agreed to go to Genovia over the summers and at Christmas time. Once Mia graduated from high school she go back to Genovia so she had to take princess lessons from her Grandmother. ( )

It was a fun, quick read without out much substance. It is pure fluff, but sometimes its nice to escape into that. ( )

Cabot, M. (2000). The Princess Diaries. New York: HarperCollins.

Grade Levels: 6-8

Category: Fiction

Read-Alouds: pp. 11 (Tuesday, September 23); pp. 36-42 (Thursday, October 2); pp. 43-47 (Later on Thursday); pp. 237-238 (Sunday Night)

Summary: A New York girl, named Mia lived with her mother in a loft apartment. One day Mia’s father called to say he couldn’t have anymore children because of his cancer surgery. At first Mia thought that the news wasn’t such a big deal until she finds out that she was the Princess of Genovia. She agreed to go to Genovia over the summers and at Christmas time. Once Mia graduated from high school she go back to Genovia so she had to take princess lessons from her Grandmother. Then in the end Mia got a week off from princess lesson and Lilly and she were not speaking to each other.

Themes: One of the themes of this book was self-esteem. From the beginning of the book Mia thinks of herself as freak. Another theme for this book was diaries. This book was written in a diary form. It could help students who struggle with their feelings by having them write down their thoughts. I also thought teachers could use this book to teach geography because of all the references to the different countries like Italy and France. Another issue in this book is peer relationships because of how people treat Mia in high school and the way Mia and Lily fought. Mia’s attitude towards her friend Lily had changed when her father came to visit because of all the pressure she was under with being the Princess of Genovia. Then identity was another issue in this book because Mia was a Princess while still being a normal teenager too.

Discussion Questions: Why were Lily and Mia fighting?
If you were Mia, would you have kept the news from Lilly about her father coming to visit, about Lars, and why her grandmother visited, from your best friend and why or why not?
What was the purpose of Mia taking princess lessons and what did she learn from them?

Reader Response: I thought this book was okay. It would be another good book for young women to read. I did like how it was written in diary form and the things to do list. I could relate to the things to do list at the end of the diary list because I like to write things to do list. I find it helpful to write things to do list so I don’t forget what I need to do. I also thought it would be a good book for reluctant readers.

Laugh out loud funny. The story line is a bit different than the movie which kept the book interesting, but I also missed some of the more familiar dialog from the movie. ( )

Keeping in mind what kind of book this is - I think it was a great read. I flew through the pages - which is always a great feeling. I saw the movie a few years ago and remembered enough to realize that the book differs pretty substantially from the movie - but in a good way I think. Nice breezy read - recommended. ( )

This is good...but I have to say the movies are better. The book just gives you more backround. This book is kind of just a look into a selfish teenage girl's life...and yet I still read it. ( )

Mia is 14, living in NYC. She is trying to make the best of high school when she finds out that she is actually a princess. Her life changes drastically as she begins to prepare for life as a royal.

Other books to try: Angus Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging, Girls in Love, Just Ella

Other books by this author: Princess in the Spotlight, Princess in Love, Princess in Waiting, All America Girl, Haunted, Nicola and the Viscount ( )

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

Mia Thermopolis lives in New York City with her mother, a semi-successful painter. She's somewhat of a tomboy whose great passion is the environment. She's just starting high school, and she thinks her mother's new boyfriend (her algebra teacher) is the worst of her problems.

Then her father comes to town and changes everything. It turns out he's not just a politician like she thought, he's the ruler of a small European country called Genovia. And as he's just discovered he can no longer have children, Mia is now his only heir. Many girls would kill to be in her shoes, but "princess" is about the last thing Mia ever wanted to be when she grew up. ( )

304 pg/304 pages. This book is about a girl who'd dad has Cancer,and she finds out she is a Princess . I found this book interesting because it is actually written as a diary and on a lot of the pages she has her math notes on them because she is really bad at math. ( )