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Princess For a Week
When a confident girl named Princess arrives to spend a week at Roddy's house, she encourages him to help her investigate the suspicious activities happening at a supposedly haunted house.
32 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2006
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About the author
Betty Ren Wright
97 books296 followersBetty Ren Wright was an award-winning author of children's fiction including The Dollhouse Murders, The Ghosts Of Mercy Manor and A Ghost in The House.
Known for her ghost stories and mysteries, Wright published 28 children's novels between 1981 and 2006, as well as picture books and short stories. Prior to pursuing her career as a full-time author in 1978, she worked as an editor of children's books.
Wright lived in Wisconsin with her husband, painter George A. Fredericksen, until her death in 2013.
Known for her ghost stories and mysteries, Wright published 28 children's novels between 1981 and 2006, as well as picture books and short stories. Prior to pursuing her career as a full-time author in 1978, she worked as an editor of children's books.
Wright lived in Wisconsin with her husband, painter George A. Fredericksen, until her death in 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 11, 2016
Younger MG.
In this case, Roddy's father is in Afghanistan and, for reasons Roddy and his mother don't understand, has stopped sending letters and emails. The waiting is relieved, for one week, by the arrival of Princess--her real name is Jane--who has her own abandonment issues to cope with, namely a life largely spent in boarding school and a father who, for reasons we never learn, shows little inclination to spend time with his daughter.
Roddy, his friend, Jacob, and Princess become interested in a supposedly haunted house in the neighborhood, spurred on by the cryptic warnings of Jacob's elderly Uncle Ring, who holds conversation with his long-dead neighbor, Mrs. Mortimer, and is continually teased by his equally long-dead parakeet. Uncle Ring says waves of hate pour out of the empty house, but that doesn't stop Princess--capable, confident, and driven--from exploring.
Roddy and Princess uncover the secret of the old house in a climax that lasts about a millisecond and that stretches credulity. The silence of Roddy's father is explained in some delayed mail, a happy coincidence is revealed in one of these letters, and in a twist I admired, the spunky Princess is not given an happily-ever-after ending,
Wright's writing is tight--in the case of the climax, perhaps too much so. She sets scenes with ease, and both outer and inner conflicts of her protagonists are introduced in an admirably quick, deft manner. While Wright shows a few anachronistic views--by 2005/2006, in my experience, most service members were communicating via email rather than snail mail, but that is a tiny quibble--she draws believable characters in this book and directs them into tense situations that entertain and engage.
In this case, Roddy's father is in Afghanistan and, for reasons Roddy and his mother don't understand, has stopped sending letters and emails. The waiting is relieved, for one week, by the arrival of Princess--her real name is Jane--who has her own abandonment issues to cope with, namely a life largely spent in boarding school and a father who, for reasons we never learn, shows little inclination to spend time with his daughter.
Roddy, his friend, Jacob, and Princess become interested in a supposedly haunted house in the neighborhood, spurred on by the cryptic warnings of Jacob's elderly Uncle Ring, who holds conversation with his long-dead neighbor, Mrs. Mortimer, and is continually teased by his equally long-dead parakeet. Uncle Ring says waves of hate pour out of the empty house, but that doesn't stop Princess--capable, confident, and driven--from exploring.
Roddy and Princess uncover the secret of the old house in a climax that lasts about a millisecond and that stretches credulity. The silence of Roddy's father is explained in some delayed mail, a happy coincidence is revealed in one of these letters, and in a twist I admired, the spunky Princess is not given an happily-ever-after ending,
Wright's writing is tight--in the case of the climax, perhaps too much so. She sets scenes with ease, and both outer and inner conflicts of her protagonists are introduced in an admirably quick, deft manner. While Wright shows a few anachronistic views--by 2005/2006, in my experience, most service members were communicating via email rather than snail mail, but that is a tiny quibble--she draws believable characters in this book and directs them into tense situations that entertain and engage.
March 13, 2009
I absolutely loved this book. I read it to prepare for Mr. Benson's book club. Don't let the title fool you. It's as much about boys as girls. In fact, the main character is a boy who thinks he's taking care of a dog named Princess for a week. Twists and turns lead to very clever writing and a clever conclusion. Perfect for first graders to adults and a great choice for an elementary school book club.
July 8, 2009
Princess for a Week begins with a boy thinking that he is going to be watching a dog, he is mistaken and Princess turns out to be a high spirited, attention seeking girl!! As to not look like a wimp, John becomes Princess's partner in a crime investigation.
I liked this book; however, the title is misleading because this is not a princess book at all.
I liked this book; however, the title is misleading because this is not a princess book at all.
November 4, 2008
A house supposedly haunted by ghosts, a car driving at night without lights, bandits, and Princess add up to an exciting week for Roddy and Jacob. Roddy thinks he's getting a dog named princess and is shocked to find that Princess is actually a girl who seems to be bent on getting him in trouble.
February 10, 2013
Awesome mystery book for girls AND boys [not actually about a princess]. Full of suspense. Some children may easily relate to having an absent family member or family member in Afghanistan, and the character's feelings.
*Book from text
*Book from text
December 2, 2013
This book was a complete waste of my time, I absolutely hated it. Character and plot development was extremely poor. I also believe that it sends a wrong message to children about acceptable behavior and realistic consequences. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
September 29, 2010
It was fun and remember never go in a hunted house orelse
November 9, 2010
I enjoyed this book and found it funny and suspenseful. Kids, both boys and girls would enjoy this book.
June 29, 2011
Cute and simple story for young readers.
May 2, 2013
great book for all children. not really about a princess. book is filled with suspense. children can relate to characters. no dad, deployment, sick relative etc.
July 11, 2016
"It's way too big, Roddy," Jacob said.
My older sons are also named Roddy and Jacob (main characters' names), so my two younger sons and I laughed and enjoyed this opening line for this book.
My older sons are also named Roddy and Jacob (main characters' names), so my two younger sons and I laughed and enjoyed this opening line for this book.
April 5, 2015
This book I think needs a new title. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed it
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews