title: Real Princesses: An Inside Look at the Royal Life
author:  Valerie Wilding 
description: Grade 25Readers who can't get enough of pink-and-purple princess books will be drawn to this title, which promises the real scoop on royal life. The author explains what it means to be a princess, different routes to becoming one, and what princesses do. She offers surprising stories and details about the lives of historical and contemporary figures from around the world, along with substantial information on Princess Diana. While diverse royal lifestyles, such as families living in quarters other than palaces, are mentioned, this book really plays into the media-hyped image of princesses. Much of it covers the stuff of movies and daydreams: designer dresses, gourmet food, jewelry, and weddings. This is done in a general way, implying that every princess lives in luxury, which contradicts earlier statements in the narrative. Nearly all of the drawings show skinny white people in sparkly, revealing outfits. Captioned photos appear throughout. A lack of clear headings, general organization, and tools such as maps and time lines may create frustration for those actually looking for information. Fictional sidebars and slang words, such as "bling," add to the informal feel of the text. Adequate for browsing; opt for specific biographies for focused information.<i>Amanda Moss, Maywood Elementary School, Monona, WI</i> <br />Copyright  Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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  }FANCY}
  
  Surrounded by mystery and scandal, the widowed }Fancy} Dever}s}, Fortune and
  }K}ieran}'}s last child arrives in England only to catch th}e} roving eye of
  King Charles II—}w}ho makes the raven-haired, turquois}e}-eyed beauty one of
  his many lovers. But when their fiery romance settles into a comfortable
  friendship, the king is determined to find his glamorous mistress a
  husband—}n}o matter her strenuous objections...
  
  SIREN
  
  The lovely Lady Diana Leslie, Patrick and }F}lanna}'}s daughter, has been
  nicknamed "Siren" by the gentlemen of the court. }H}er }exquisite} beauty, her
  generous nature, her charming manners},} make it difficult for even her rivals
  to speak ill of h}e}r. But when Diana's heart is engaged b}y }identic}a}l twin
  brothers},} she finds herself torn. Choosing is impossible yet choose she
  must...
  
  CYN} }
  
  Lady Cynara Stuart is the not}-}so-royal Stuart's youngest daughter. Despite
  her family's insistence that she settle down, Cy