The Princess Diaries

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant, funny, and highly entertaining
Review: I picked up PD for my 12 year old neice, who is as voracious a reader as I am, thinking it would be good for light summer reading. When I got home and unpacked my shopping bags, I thought maybe I should flip through it to see what the fuss is all about, and at 2 o'clock this morning, having finished the last page, I finally put it down. It was beautifully written, amusing, and occasionally even thought provoking. Is it wrong to think someone is a freak, just because they are different from you? I don't think Mia is exactly a "normal" teen though. I mean really, she lives with her artist mom who sells paintings for $140,000, summers in a villa in France, goes to a private school that probably costs more per year than many State Universities, has a father who always stays at the Plaza when visiting her in NY, and her best friend has a weekly $200 a pop Public Access TV show. How many teenage girls really live that kind of life? Mia does take it all in stride though, and aside from some rather lofty ideals, that I admit I shared as a teenager (Vegetarianism, saving the whales and penguins and the Rain Forrest-it's exhausting saving the planet!), she remains quite grounded in the real world of average teenage problems: crazy hair, no breast, feet that are too big, and not having a date for a school dance. On top of all this, she finds out she's a Princess. What little girl hasn't dreamed of waking up to be told she's not really just a Plain Jane, but a real Princess? Few have probably ever thought about what being a princess in the modern world would be like though. This is a very entertaining read, and I would highly reccomend it for all girls 8-80. I have just ordered PD II (2-one for me and one for my niece!) and can't wait to find out where we go. If it's half as good as the first one, they just might find a permanant place on my revered Harry Potter shelf. Can there be higher praise?
I'm really quite shocked by the reviews that question the subject matter and morality of the book. Girls DO think about things that go on in the world around them, and that includes sex, diseases (Mia's father had testicular cancer-quite normal that she would write about it), the size of their chest, what's going on in their parents lives and boys. So what if Mia's parents weren't married? That's quite a common thing these days. At least the book portrays them as people who care about her (even if it is in their own whacked out way). I don't see what's wrong with these subjects being in a book. I'd much rather have my children READING books like this than watching some of the tripe that's on TV. And yes, if you've ever read the diary of a teenage girl, they really do write words and phrases such as 'like' 'whatever' 'as if' and 'blah, blah, blah' I know this, because the diaries I kept as a teen are FULL of these types of phrases. The word 'HELLO' is on practically every page! I think Ms. Cabot has done a wonderful job of capturing the self-centered, crazy, innocence of being a teenager, and would have absolutely no qualms about handing this to my young teen.
BTW, I think the book (which came out BEFORE the movie) is far superior to the bubble gum package Disney is hawking. I am terribly disappointed in what they did to the story. Some changes I can understand, as Disney was going for a 'G' rating, but there were somethings that just didn't make sense. Why move it to a different city? Why change the subject Mr. G teaches? Why make it a beach party instead of a dance? It's not that I thought the movie terribly bad (it's great for young kids), I just didn't get all the unneccessary changes.

Rating:
Summary: I don't know why I bought this...
Review: I've been desperate to buy a book, I can't go for very long without having a book to read. So..spontaneously, I bought this when I saw it.... I've only read a few pages, but so far I don't really like what I'm seeing. An awkward insecure teenage girl who proclaims herself a freak, and oh look, she also just happens to be in love with the most popular boy in school. I don't really enjoy the stereotypical story line. The only thing Meg Cabot added was the "princess" twist. Otherwise, it's just another xerox copy of a young adult book. This basic storyline has been overused way too much. I suppose authors use this because they think it's easy to write, and supposedly relatable. They need to realize not every teenage girl is completely insecure and in love with a popular boy. I think younger readers who aren't so critical will enjoy this though. Probably for 12 and under. I can only hope, while I hesitantly continue to read, that something of interest will come about.

Rating:
Summary: Meg Cabot has really made reading worthwhile here!
Review: The Princess Diaries is the kind of book that you don't read everyday. I'm not much of a reader during the summer, but I finished this book in one day! I was so hooked on it that I couldn't stop. I would highly reccommend it to anyone!

Rating:
Summary: I loved this book!
Review: This was a really great book. I really liked how Mia was a REAL girl, not some snotty popular girl whose worries were about nail polish and things like that. I reccommend this book to all girls, and you all should see the movie!

Rating:
Summary: The Princess Diaries
Review: I really liked the princess diaries. It shows how even girl who has about zero confidence in herself can be a princess. It shows the trouble famous people have picking out the people who like them for them from people who like them because they're famous and want to use them. And it shows that even people who you think look great can be really insecure on the inside. I think all teenage and preteen girls should read this book because besides being a great story it helps them recognize that other girls are feeling insecure about themselves too. (I refrain from giving it five stars only because it is really only for people of a certain gender and age. But if everyone thought like teenage girls I'd give it 5 stars.)

Rating:
Summary: A Good Book!
Review: I think this book was very intersting, espicially for teenagers. I mean you can really connect to the things Mia goes through. It has a good storyline and makes can make you laugh a lot. It also has surprises along the way that will shock people. Trust me, if you start reading this book, it's be hard to put down.

Rating:
Summary: THE BEST BOOK EVER!!!!!!!!!
Review: You would think all princesses are bratty snobby and/or prim and proper. Not true for 14 year old Mia. Things couldn't be worse for this flat-chested 5 foot 9 girl with size 10 feet. She already has to deal with her mom dating her algebra teacher, a subject she' failing miseribly. This is the best story and I hope that whoever you are reading this will give this book a try. I thought the book would a frilly and stupid but it deals with some hard issues and it'll make you smile so GIVE IT A CHANCE!!!

Rating:
Summary: Cinderella does exist!
Review: On impulse, I bought this book at the airport. I had seen previews for the upcoming movie. It looked quite comical. I greatly enjoyed reading about a girl who is NORMAL. She thinks she doesn't fit in because she is geeky, not brilliant, and often dreams about a certain boy. Anyway, she has a Cinderella time when she finds out that she is heir to a kingdom! But, all is not perfect in Manhattan. Her friends at school find out that she is a princess. Her mother is dating her Algebra teacher. UGH! Her grandmother insists that she take Princess Lessons. Mia does survive it all! I strongly advise that you read it before the movie hits the theaters on August 3rd. I am presently on my way to the bookselller to pick up book PD II!!

Rating:
Summary: GREAT book!!!!
Review: I loved it! I couldn't put it down because it was incredibly involving. After reading it from cover to cover, I just HAVE to read the sequal! Also, reading books in diary format is really fun, especially since I am keeping a diary myself.

Rating:
Summary: The Princess Diaries
Review: The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot is an awesome book that teens can relate to. The characters are hilarious. Cabot takes readers on a journey through the characters stages of growth. Teen anxed, crushes, making new friends and making up with old ones make this book great and hillarious.