Cabot, Meg. Princess party.

CABOT, Meg. Princess party. (The Princess Diaries, Vol. VII.) HarperCollins. 288p. c2006. 978-0-06-154374-6. $799. JS*

To quote the review of the hardcover in KLIATT, March 2006: We join our princess, heir to the throne of Genovia but currently a 15-year-old high school student in Manhattan, for the seventh installment in the series. Mia is struggling with simultaneously achieving self-actualization, juggling the student government's budget, impressing her boyfriend, and dealing with her haughty grandmother. None of these is a particularly serious crisis, but being the drama queen that she is, Mia agonizes. A new character named J.P. is introduced to the series. He's a self-described "loner," and Mia's friends think he is cute, which inevitably leads to more drama. Party Princess follows the same mold as the last six books: Mia overreacts to minor issues and the whole novel covers the span of about two weeks. It's a fast read, and it sets up the next volume well, because it's clear Cabot has no intention of slowing down. Mia may be a drama queen, but she is still lovable and her hilarious diary entries couldn't be more enjoyable. Joanna Solomon, W. Newton, MA

J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.

S--Recommended for senior high school students.

*--The asterisk highlights exceptional books.