The Wide Awake Princess by E.D. Baker

Rating: Cleanest

Audience: It's a light and fast read intended for elementary aged girls, but enjoyable for any age.

Plot:  When their second daughter is born, Sleeping Beauty's parents are determined not to have a repeat curse and so ask a powerful fairy for help.  The only way to protect Annie from a wicked curse, however, is to make her repellent to ALL magic, which the king and queen reluctantly agree to.  As Annie grows up, however, her family realizes that her anti-magic is so strong that it doesn't merely repel spells placed directly on her but also spells around her, and they avoid being near her lest their beauty spells wear off.  Though Annie is lonely, she is a great help to the royal guard as they keep magical spinning wheels away from Annie's sister, because not only can she stop bad magic but she has developed the ability to hear it.

Of course, there wouldn't be much of a story if Sleeping Beauty didn't prick her finger and fall asleep, but after the deed is done Annie heads out into the world to find as many potential princely kissers for her sister as possible.  She stumbles into one fairy tale after another, collecting princes and causing problems for all who rely on magic to make them what they are.  

What makes it great?

It's very clever and funny.  My favorite part is the old witch in the gingerbread house. She's losing her memory so she sticks giant candy conversation hearts all over her house with messages like "go check the cages--if there are children in cages, feed them" (I don't remember the actual words, but you get the idea), which Annie cleverly changes to save the unfortunate children who come there. Annie is brave and spunky, the characters have awesome quirks, and I just enjoyed the whole thing.

I know there is a sequel called "Unlocking the Spell" but I haven't had a chance to read it yet. More to come on that. 

Princess Academy: Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale

Rating:  Cleaner 

Audience:  Fifth grade and up (it is just a wee bit scary).  I was really stressed out about this rebellion.  Have recently watched the new Les Miserables movie and cried over the ending of Suzanne Collins' "Mockingjay," seeing the stirrings of another revolution just made me fret over which of my favorite characters are going to have to die. Luckily, however, I underestimated Miri's skill as a diplomat. What a relief!

Plot:  (If you haven't read the first one yet, skip this because it contains spoilers) Miri and a few other Princess Academy graduates (including Frid, who is definitely my favorite) go to the capital to attend Britta's wedding and live in the royal palace for a year as ladies of the princess. Miri also has the opportunity to attend the university there, and Peder comes to capital to start an apprenticeship with a stone carver.  However, Miri finds her new city on the brink of chaos as the common people plot to overthrow the king and his exorbitant tributes.  Miri acts as a spy on behalf of Mount Eskel, but choosing a side is difficult as Miri tries to right the wrongs of the aristocracy without betraying her best friend. 

What makes it great?

"Princess Academy" has always been my favorite of Shannon Hale's books and I was really excited when I saw that she had written a sequel. I was also apprehensive. Why? Because sequels are a scary business. If a book is the first in a planned series the later books usually turn out well, but stand-alone novels that later have sequels . . . it can go either way.

However, this really was one of the best sequels I have ever read, and it managed to be very different from the first book while still including all the Mt. Eskel pride and folklore that I loved.  If you liked "Princess Academy" then I highly recommend you read "Palace of Stone," but get on a library waiting list ASAP because it took a long time--though it was certainly worth the wait.