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Twice Upon a Time #1

Rapunzel: The One with All the Hair

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There are two sides to every story -- even fairy tales. A he said/she said series with a prince and princess twist.

Rapunzel is having the ultimate bad day. She's been stolen from home by an evil witch, locked in an incredibly high tower, and doesn't even have a decent brush for her hair. Prince Benjamin is in a pretty uncomfortable situation himself. His father wants him to be more kingly, his mother wants him to never leave her sight, and his cousin wants to get him into as much trouble as possible. Plus, there's the little matter of prearranged marriages. . . . Both Rapunzel and Prince Benjamin are trapped--in very different ways. It's only when their paths cross, that things really start to change.

205 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2006

127 people are currently reading
3513 people want to read

About the author

Wendy Mass

83 books3,689 followers
Wendy Mass is the author of thirty novels for young people, including A Mango-Shaped Space, which was awarded the Schneider Family Book Award, Leap Day, the Twice Upon a Time fairy tale series, Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life, Heaven Looks a Lot Like the Mall, the Willow Falls, Space Taxi and Candymakers series. Wendy wrote the storyline for an episode of the television show Monk, entitled "Mr. Monk Goes to the Theatre," which aired during the show's second season. She tells people her hobbies are hiking and photography, but really they're collecting candy bar wrappers and searching for buried treasure with her metal detector. Wendy lives with her family in New Jersey.

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5 stars
1,612 (34%)
4 stars
1,432 (30%)
3 stars
1,156 (25%)
2 stars
346 (7%)
1 star
77 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 360 reviews
Profile Image for Pamela Kramer.
423 reviews8 followers
March 14, 2012
"Rapunzel: The One with All the Hair" by Wendy Mass is part of the "Twice Upon a Time" series.

Many authors have been rewriting fairy tales, and Wendy Mass is one of the successful ones. This story, which follows the Rapunzel tale fairly faithfully, deviates in that instead of the prince being blinded by the witch, he just has really poor vision and is practically blind without his glasses, which the witch breaks.

The story is told from alternative viewpoints, that of Rapunzel and that of the Prince. Each narrative is wonderfully done to give the reader a clear picture of each quite different character.

The book has subplots as well, and one of them involves a misunderstanding with the Prince and his cousin and a friend. The cousin acts superior and stand-offish, but it is because the Prince and his friend, a knight in training, seem to exclude him.

When the Prince finds out how his cousin feels, he reflects on his behavior and realizes that he is at fault. It's a good subplot illustrating how people can misunderstand each other and how, by sharing feelings, people can resolve those misunderstandings.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Review of wonderful "Rapunzel: The One with All the Hair" by Wendy Mass - National Book | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/book-in-natio...


Read the whole review at: http://www.examiner.com/book-in-natio...
Profile Image for Briar's Reviews.
2,298 reviews578 followers
April 15, 2020
I picked up this book waaaaaay back in the day during the good ol' Scholatic Book Fairs. Man, do I miss them. I mean, book stores are basically a giant book fair but come on. Remember the cool book marks and posters and erasers?! It was the best part of my childhood for sure! And the smell of new books... All those books lined up just waiting for us... Ah, the nostalgia.

Anywho, this take on Rapunzel is absolutely hilarious. I have always loved fairy tales and adaptions of them, so this book was read a LOT by me. Picking it up again, I still chuckle and wish I would have been able to find the rest of the series. I had no idea it even was a series!

Rapunzel has been abducted and is having a no good, very bad day. Prince Benjamin is the one to save her, but he's not exactly having a great time either. This adaptation is pretty spot on, but makes the horrifying things that happen in the original way more suitable for a middle grade audience.

This book is super whimsical and a fun, quick read. It's made for middle graders but if you want something quick and easy then this book is a great fix. I enjoy anything with fairy tails, so it was perfect for me.

Three out of five stars.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
12.9k reviews483 followers
December 17, 2019
Tempted to give it four stars because it's just such a delightful read... but really there's not a lot to satisfy or enlighten. And in fact neither child is all that heroic... the girl is stupid and the boy at one point takes credit for something that another did. Still, I'd read more in the series by Mass, and I love her other books.
94 reviews
May 20, 2011
Nowadays, everyone is developing parodies or twisted versions of old fairy tales. Among all these, Wendy Mass's 'Twice Upon a Time' series sticks out, and in particular the series starter. Complete with the original aspects of the Brothers Grimm story Rapunzel, and with Mass's own little touches, 'Rapunzel, the One With All the Hair' is truly unique. Wacky, fun, exciting, new...I love this book. The one star is taken off because I believe Mass could've extended the story quite a bit farther, and she didn't take this to that amazing you-are-the-character level that she usually sets up. You never know what happens to Prince Benjamin and Rapunzel and their friendship...and only once is Benjamin's betrothed mentioned, and so you never know if they actually get married or not. And since the series is not based around this book, we will never know what becomes of this unlikely prince-damsel relationship. I think it could be beefed up a bit more than that.
150 reviews108 followers
January 5, 2013
Wendy Mass' take on the classic fairytale is more true to the feelings that most teenagers would be experiencing after being kidnapped by a witch, forced in a tower, and ordered to "let down her hair."
Mass also introduces a new character: the usually illusive Prince only characterized by his nobility, integrity, and good looks, becomes the gawky bespectacled Benjamin, a fan of adventure novels and staying in his room, has a habit of breaking glasses, and hates leeches, hunting, being regal, and his "carrot-haired" cousin Elkin.
Rapunzel on the other hand throw all docile, princess-like behavior to the wind, crosses into the ALL CAPS and exclamation points by chapter one. Kindly, one would say she's feisty, the witch might say she's a shrew. Rapunzel does display some shrewish, Kate-like behavior, and for good reason. Despite her efforts to entertain herself/escape/find civilization, life in a tower is as displeasing as one would imagine.
For a while, it seems their paths won't cross. Benjamin is a homebody, forced into regal activities by his supremely kingly father, and, well, Rapunzel is trapped. While not getting too much into the nitty-gritty of the original story (the gruesome details like the prince's blindness, etc.) Mass' retelling is enjoyable for fairytale lovers of various ages.
Profile Image for Elle (ellexamines on TT & Substack).
1,163 reviews19.3k followers
April 14, 2017
A middle-grade favorite. This series parodies typical fairy tales and makes them into new stories.

Mainly these stories are just funny. It's a comedic romp that never stops being enjoyable.

I also like that they develop the prince characters into goofy nerds. It's far more realistic and far less romantic. These stories manage to establish new, interesting dynamics for the prince and the princess.
Profile Image for maddy.
328 reviews5 followers
June 9, 2022
reread
2.5 rounded up
ok this is way cuter than i remember it being but not quite as good lol. It’s definitely a book intended for elementary schoolers (clearly) but it was still fun to read, especially since I’m certain i had read this like 4 times as a child.
Profile Image for Pandora .
295 reviews14 followers
September 20, 2013
The beginning and middle of the story was very good. The ending though was a little rushed and not as satisfying as I hoped it would be. The story was told in a humorous modern tone but, the story was still set in Once Upon a Time. Think Shrek the movie. Another problem is that the two major problems of the characters - Rapunzel getting out of the tower and Prince Benjamin rewarded a peasant have such obvious solutions it is wonder the characters missed them.

Still, the characters are wonderfully drawn. Strong development of the characters as they grow and mature. The author also has a strong quirky sense of humor that makes this a fun read. The best lines come from Prince Benjamin.

Prince Benjamin:

"Chased a hare across the banks, then felt guilty. Felt wimpy for feeling guilty and chased it some more."

"I cannot understand why he thought to have more blood sucked from me whilst I was still bleeding."

"I convince her to call for the royal masseuse instead. The doctor is way too quick with those leeches."

"So far, while aiming squarely at the hay. I have narrowly missed two ducks who were innocently floating in the pond, one lady-in-waiting out for a stroll with a squire, and the village cobbler,..."


Rupunzel
"I am slightly afraid he will explode into tiny green pieces. Who knows if he spieces explodes when angred to such a degree?"

PS: Another disappointment in the novel was the witch. The witch had no character and no motive it seemed for locking up Rapunzel. With the tone of the novel I was expecting a witch character more akin to the one in Tangled. As I learned in writing the villian must be the hero in their own story and a story is only good as the villian. The blandness of the witch is another factor that brings down story. It is an okey story but, it is not Every Soul a Star or Jermery Fink and the Meaning of Life.

2,263 reviews5 followers
September 13, 2012
I started this as a read aloud for my son. I thought it would not be too girly, beause it tells the story of Prince Benjamin as well as Rapunzel. And I am right--it is not too girly. (Though I doubt many boys would pick it up on their own.)
However, as a read aloud it sort of dragged. I stopped and read it silently to myself and liked it much better.
Profile Image for Zoe.
9 reviews5 followers
January 25, 2008
This was a very good book that was never boring... It is basically the story of Rapunzel (let down your long hair!) with kindof a twist, but not really, and it is viewed by both the point of view of Rapunzel AND the prince... i highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Shannon.
275 reviews
February 3, 2012
This was cute. It was something I've had on my shelves that I wanted to be sure wasn't full of garbage I didn't want my kids reading. It turned out cute if not slightly predictable. Good fast read thought
Profile Image for milana waller.
375 reviews9 followers
May 8, 2017
3.5 I feel like this book was written just to write it if you know what I mean. Rapunzel had plenty of obvious opportunities to escape the tower ....
Profile Image for Fadi Antwan.
144 reviews97 followers
April 11, 2020
I’m very short on physical books at the moment. I saw my mom, who has a limited working proficiency in English, reading this, and I had to steal it from her (sorry mom)! It’s a cute and silly fast read that I would have enjoyed a lot more had I been younger.
Profile Image for Becky.
6,176 reviews303 followers
March 7, 2015
I wanted to enjoy this adaptation of Rapunzel by Wendy Mass. I'd read Wendy Mass and really enjoyed her work in the past. So my expectations were high, perhaps TOO high.

Both Rapunzel and the Prince are on the young side--around the age of twelve. So this isn't a fairy tale romance that sweeps you away. (Not that the original story is oh-so-romantic. Far from it, as I see it. The Disney movie is another story almost!) Was I reading it FOR romance? Not really. That's not where I was disappointed.

I'll be honest. I didn't enjoy the writing style or narration. The story is narrated by Rapunzel and the Prince. His name is Prince Benjamin. Both narrators are on the childish or immature side. (For example, Rapunzel is EQUALLY concerned about a pimple as being locked away in a tower by a witch.)

I guess what disappointed me the most was how light it was. It wasn't a substantive story in terms of characterization or action. It was almost impossible to take it seriously. Perhaps that was the point. Perhaps I was in the wrong mood for this one. But the writing wasn't wonderful or witty enough for me to see it as a comedic retelling. And it wasn't dramatic enough or action-packed enough for me to take it seriously.

Profile Image for Gil-or (readingbooksinisrael).
611 reviews25 followers
October 13, 2018
4.7/5

Fairy tale retellings, how I have missed you!

I really didn't realize how much I had missed them until I started reading this. And this one is so good.

-It follows the original closely but still manages to make it its own book.

-Like giving an explanation for why Rapunzel's parents would trade her for cabbage.

-And Steve!

-Both the main characters, Rapunzel and Benjamin, are characters that are fun to read and sympathetic. Sure, it opens on Rapunzel having a tantrum, but that's because she's been kidnapped!

-I will say that the witch's motivations aren't really explored at all, in any way.

-And that there was a problem at the end that was solved too quickly.

-But it's still great:

-The side characters are interesting, too. The hermit and the queen. Elkin. Steve.

-Prince Benjamin is blind! At least when he's not wearing his glasses.

-And seriously, Benjamin and Elkin's relationship is great. It goes from ememies to friends pretty quick because it's a short book but it all makes sense, and even before they become actual friends you're rooting for them.
Profile Image for Natalie.
3,362 reviews188 followers
December 10, 2011
Rapunzel is shocked to discover, on her 12th bday (henceforth to be known as "The Day of my Kidnapping") that she has been promised to an old witch in return for some measly herbs! The witch takes her to a tower but Rapunzel is not one to just settle for things, she Will find a way out! She can't give up now, especially with the help of her new friend Steve, there must be a way to foil the witch.

Meanwhile, the slightly clumsy, but always kind Prince Benjamin is learning princely behaviors, trying not to break his spectacles, ignoring annoying cousin Elkin, and seeking adventure with his best friend Andrew. When he hears singing in the woods he rides off to find out what it is.

Cute is the perfect word for this story. Benjamin and Rapunzel are fun characters full of humor and quick-witted observations. Not really romance, as it is written for a younger audience, but fun nonetheless. It's a quick read and I would recommend it to anyone who likes fairy tales. Well written.
4 reviews1 follower
Read
February 10, 2015
The book Twice upon a time Rapunzel the one with all the hair. By Wendy Mass is a really good book because it shows both character’s point of view and explains both their feelings. The main settings in the book is the tower that Rapunzel is being held in the castle Prince Benjamin lives in and the forest that separates them the main characters are Rapunzel, Prince Benjamin , the Witch/ Mother Gothel , the Queen, Steven, the king and Elkin the main conflict is that rapunzel is stuck in a tower and Benjamin is stuck in castel they both would rather be somewhere else and need eachothers help to find happiness and who they really want to be i would recommend this book to people who love fairy tales and like funny young love. the reason why is because this is the kind of book i couldn’t put down and was excited to finish reading and i want other to feel the same thing i did reading this book.
49 reviews
March 1, 2017
Although you might not realize it, there are always two sides to a story. Rapunzel is in a horrible situation. She was kidnapped by a witch and locked up in a tower that is in the middle of no where. There is nothing but a bundle of hay for Rapunzel to sleep on. On the other side Prince Benjamin is also having a bad time. His mother doesn't let him leave her sight, his father wants him to act more "royal", and his cousin keeps giving him trouble. One day on a hunting trip Prince Benjamin hers a lovely voice singing and he vows to follow it the next day. It is only then, that their paths cross and the sun gets brighter. Through struggles Prince Benjamin fights to bring Rapunzel to the palace and back to her home. This book is a fairy tale but with a twist. I recommend this book to people who love to read fantasy, fairy tales, children's, and/or middle grade.
31 reviews2 followers
March 4, 2017
I just couldn't put this book down. I loved how Wendy Mass told both sides of the story and wrote it from both Rapunzel's point of view and the Princes. From the beginning of the story to the end I was very interested with anything that had to do with either of them. This version of the story is now my absolute favorite. The way she captured and described the scenes helped me picture myself there in their shoes doing what they are doing. The Twice Upon a Time series is by far my favorite series written by Wendy Mass. My favorite character is Rapunzel of course. She is always so positive and kind to everyone and everything even when she is stuck in her castle. This story is fun to read because it is so unique and unlike any other Rapunzel book I have read before. I wish I would have read this book sooner than I did because it is just so well written and fun to read.
Profile Image for Bridget.
48 reviews17 followers
May 9, 2013
Rapunzel is kidnapped from home by an evil witch, because her father forgot to pay a debt. She is then locked in the top of a tower in a room with no door only a window, and a kitten for company. Benjamin is the prince, and heir to his father's throne. He is having a normal day of being taught the things he will need to know as king, when his troublesome cousin is dropped off at the castle for a few weeks. I first read this book in elementary school, and I loved it. The reader gets both sides of the story; Rapunzel's and the Prince's. I think that girls 10 and up would enjoy this book if they love fairy tales retold in a different way.
16 reviews
January 5, 2015
~Rapunzel: The One with All the Hair is the first book in the Twice Upon a Time series. Wendy Mass, the author of the book, makes you feel like you are actually in the fairy tale. The book includes magical adventures from Rapunzel and from the Prince. This story wanted me to read more at the end of each chapter because, it lefts me hanging, to find what will happen next.This story is not like you hear before, it is told in a totally different way.I could not but the book down,my mind was set to finish it to find what happened at the endI would recommend this book if you like to have a twist in your stories and is ready for any adventure that will happen throughout the story.
25 reviews
January 6, 2015
The book Rapunzel by Wendy Mass is a wonderful story and is the first book in the Twice Upon a Time series. To begin, Wendy Mass is an amazing author,she is the one who got me into reading. The whole book is a magical adventure and is a little different from the other versions of Rapunzel.{Personally this is my favorite version}."Rapunzel" is still based on a charming prince, a princess{with all the hair}, and a not so nice step mother. I thing this is the best version of Rapunzel because it was different, descriptive, and made me fell like I was inside the book. All in all, Rapunzel by Wendy Mass is an amazing fairy tale and really draws your attention.

Profile Image for Nelly.
25 reviews
March 31, 2011
I thought this book was hillarious! It showed a twist no one ever thought of even incorporating with the classic Rapunzel fairytale. In the story Rapunzel is a snotty brat who thinks only of herself. Her struggle with the prince is never boring and keeps you reading until the end. I would recommend this to everyone who just needs a break from reading difficult reads. You could read the story in a day but it's worth it. The prince and Rapunzel almost use eachother for their own reasons and in the end come out being "friends". This book will make you laugh and laugh.
Profile Image for  ☯Meera☯.
142 reviews44 followers
August 31, 2016
I don't understand the good reviews. Not a bit. This whole thing was dragged out, and some chapter had not but ONE SENTENCE. EVERY CHAPTER HAD CAPITAL LETTERS, JUST LIKE THIS. WOULD YOU JUST SHUT UP, PRETTY PLEASE? Honestly, the plot was OK, the story was OK. Just...I didn't like it. It wasn't modern at all. Just a retelling of the same bland thing you can find in Tangled (Which is actually a lot better than this book)
Profile Image for Janna Craig.
637 reviews5 followers
May 19, 2018
3.5 stars

This was a cute little book. Nothing spectacular (if you want a spectacular Rapunzel rewrite, read Grounded by Megan Morrison), but it was fun. I’ll probably read the others in the series.

Note:
Profile Image for Emily.
51 reviews
August 5, 2009
It was fantastic! When you talk about Rapunzel, you usually think about the main character, Rapunzel. But this book shows that thing acually happen to the prince too. He has a personality in twice upon a time.The reason I think it is a very good book is because you get to see the prince's perspective aswell as Rapunzel's.
Profile Image for Karen.
1,038 reviews2 followers
October 13, 2009
Ok, you THOUGHT you knew how the story of Rapunel went, but you only knew half the story. This was so cute and I highly recommend it to all middle school girls, my nieces included. Who knew a prince whose glasses keep braking could steal your heart? Who knew a bratty girl with long hair could be her own hero?
Profile Image for Liana.
688 reviews36 followers
May 1, 2017
The characters were so drop dead dramatic, it was hilarious! Loved the writing! It's just too bad Rapunzel and Prince Benjamin don’t meet until the end of the story. I was hoping their individual stories would’ve connected sooner, that way I could soak up more of their sassy interactions. Hehehehe. :D
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