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Princess School #4
Beauty Is a Beast
Everyone expects Briar Rose to be perfect. But there's more to Beauty than meets the eye...
Briar Rose is sick of everyone thinking she's perfect. Her parents won't stop doting, her guardian fairies are being real pests, and even her teachers act like she can do no wrong. Her classmates at Princess School copy everything she does and, ugh, they keep calling her Beauty. Only Ella, Rapunzel, and Snow seem to like Rose for who she really is. Rose is fed up--and determined to prove that she's more than just a pretty face. She's forming a secret plan to do just that. But what if Rose goes too far?
Briar Rose is sick of everyone thinking she's perfect. Her parents won't stop doting, her guardian fairies are being real pests, and even her teachers act like she can do no wrong. Her classmates at Princess School copy everything she does and, ugh, they keep calling her Beauty. Only Ella, Rapunzel, and Snow seem to like Rose for who she really is. Rose is fed up--and determined to prove that she's more than just a pretty face. She's forming a secret plan to do just that. But what if Rose goes too far?
128 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2005
7 people are currently reading
363 people want to read
About the author
Jane B. Mason
119 books102 followers Jane B. Mason grew up in a large family in northern Minnesota. She has written books for kids of all ages under many names and on many subjects, among them ghosts, Jedi, detective duos, princesses, twins, mean girls, and slam books.
Jane has lived in the midwest and on both coasts, but appears to have settled in Oakland, California, and writes almost every day at either a friend's dining room table or a little studio in her back yard, where she has a purple loveseat, a whole lotta books, and an odd selection of trinkets she has unwittingly been collecting since she was a child.
Jane has lived in the midwest and on both coasts, but appears to have settled in Oakland, California, and writes almost every day at either a friend's dining room table or a little studio in her back yard, where she has a purple loveseat, a whole lotta books, and an odd selection of trinkets she has unwittingly been collecting since she was a child.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 3, 2024
Next in my rereading-my-entire-personal-library project is a favorite series from my childhood: The Princess School! These books have such great messages for both young girls and adult women alike, and I found myself quite enjoying diving back into this royal world even if I'm far above the intended reader age now. The first four books (of seven) to me are the most well-written and cohesive, with my favorite being the fourth, Beauty is a Beast, a book that resonates a lot with me as a lifelong perfectionist. My least favorite is probably the sixth, Apple-y Ever After, which to me lacks the heart and sisterhood so present in the others. Overall, it's a cute and fun series perfect for elementary and middle school readers.
October 17, 2010
This is the fourth book in the series. It can be tricky to tell with this series, but it does have a little 4 on the spine. It does not have an interior page where it lists all the previous books in order. (Though this is an ILL library book, so it's _possible_ that page fell out. It doesn't seem like it.)
This one is all about Sleeping Beauty, lest you think it's actually about Beauty and the Beast. Definitely playing with the idea, and trying to confuse. Both stories even involve roses.
Anyhow, Briar Rose is all like 'I have all these fairy gifts, and it sucks.' 'Everyone thinks I'm beautiful and perfect, and it sucks.' 'They don't like me for me, they like me because of my fairy gifts.' So she attempts to be less than perfect. She messes up her hair. She eats messily. She snorts when she laughs. But everyone just starts copying her, because she's a trendsetter.
Meanwhile there's exams to be studying for. And a masquerade to go to. So she gets to dress up like a beast.
She doesn't do well on her exams, because all this time she was trying not to be perfect, she wasn't studying for them. And that part I found a little unrealistic. Because when you're smart, when you've been doing your homework all the time up to that point, then studying for exams is redundant. She should've done just fine on them. Maybe not A++, but certainly an A. But all she manages to do is pass. I think her fairy gift of intelligence is crap!
But at least this book didn't suck so badly as the last one. There's a new prince who isn't bad, but his clumsiness is annoying. Only a few more books to go!
This one is all about Sleeping Beauty, lest you think it's actually about Beauty and the Beast. Definitely playing with the idea, and trying to confuse. Both stories even involve roses.
Anyhow, Briar Rose is all like 'I have all these fairy gifts, and it sucks.' 'Everyone thinks I'm beautiful and perfect, and it sucks.' 'They don't like me for me, they like me because of my fairy gifts.' So she attempts to be less than perfect. She messes up her hair. She eats messily. She snorts when she laughs. But everyone just starts copying her, because she's a trendsetter.
Meanwhile there's exams to be studying for. And a masquerade to go to. So she gets to dress up like a beast.
She doesn't do well on her exams, because all this time she was trying not to be perfect, she wasn't studying for them. And that part I found a little unrealistic. Because when you're smart, when you've been doing your homework all the time up to that point, then studying for exams is redundant. She should've done just fine on them. Maybe not A++, but certainly an A. But all she manages to do is pass. I think her fairy gift of intelligence is crap!
But at least this book didn't suck so badly as the last one. There's a new prince who isn't bad, but his clumsiness is annoying. Only a few more books to go!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2014
-Author: Jane B.Mason and Sarah Hines Stephens
-Scholastic
-Ages 9 - 12.
-Self readers.
-128 pages.
-Light read. Can potentially finish in three hours or less, if you haven't fallen asleep.
-Modern day interpretation of folk and fairy tale.
-Series of books based on princesses, Briar Rose, Rapunzel, Ella, Snow White, who are classmates in The Princess School and the challenges they face.
- I read book 4 of 7, 'Beauty is a beast'.
- The story is how Briar Rose rebels and finally comes to peace with who she really is. In the process she also realizes that even if you are gifted, you still need to work hard to excel.
- I rate the book 2/5.
- The language was simple, at a 8 year old level, while the concept was more tween. Since it was neither here nor there, the book fell flat to me.
- To be fair, I was expecting Princess Academy.... or Ella Enchanted. This was neither.
- Princess with a contemporary twist has lots of potential to play with, but the authors have chosen to play safe.
-If you are looking for a strong charismatic princess as a role model for your daughter, this is NOT it.
- Though the message is good, the way it is delivered defeats the purpose. For example, Briar Rose a.k.a Beauty is thoroughly disgusted by her nickname Beauty. She rebels, dresses up like a beast to finally figure out that she likes looking beautiful.
- The princesses attend courses that are cliched finishing school like.
- Will not read/recommend the rest in the series.
-Scholastic
-Ages 9 - 12.
-Self readers.
-128 pages.
-Light read. Can potentially finish in three hours or less, if you haven't fallen asleep.
-Modern day interpretation of folk and fairy tale.
-Series of books based on princesses, Briar Rose, Rapunzel, Ella, Snow White, who are classmates in The Princess School and the challenges they face.
- I read book 4 of 7, 'Beauty is a beast'.
- The story is how Briar Rose rebels and finally comes to peace with who she really is. In the process she also realizes that even if you are gifted, you still need to work hard to excel.
- I rate the book 2/5.
- The language was simple, at a 8 year old level, while the concept was more tween. Since it was neither here nor there, the book fell flat to me.
- To be fair, I was expecting Princess Academy.... or Ella Enchanted. This was neither.
- Princess with a contemporary twist has lots of potential to play with, but the authors have chosen to play safe.
-If you are looking for a strong charismatic princess as a role model for your daughter, this is NOT it.
- Though the message is good, the way it is delivered defeats the purpose. For example, Briar Rose a.k.a Beauty is thoroughly disgusted by her nickname Beauty. She rebels, dresses up like a beast to finally figure out that she likes looking beautiful.
- The princesses attend courses that are cliched finishing school like.
- Will not read/recommend the rest in the series.
November 13, 2015
Do you like Princesses? Have you ever felt awful hearing everyone called you “perfect”? Have you ever felt like you don’t want to be perfect and did something worst? If that's true, you may have connection with Briar Rose. Rose have many friends in the school but she heard a someone talk about her being perfect and that made her doesn’t want to be perfect anymore. She tried to not being perfect my many ways. At the end she had learned a powerful lesson
“To be who she is.”
I love this book because there are many characters that is friendly and funny. The author let me see the character’s emotion without telling it. But, the author should show what the character look like more. And when the author changed the perspective to another character, it was very fast. So, it would been better if the author show the story more descriptive than telling.
Readers that love Fairytale may enjoy this book, especially girls who enjoy and love princesses.
“To be who she is.”
I love this book because there are many characters that is friendly and funny. The author let me see the character’s emotion without telling it. But, the author should show what the character look like more. And when the author changed the perspective to another character, it was very fast. So, it would been better if the author show the story more descriptive than telling.
Readers that love Fairytale may enjoy this book, especially girls who enjoy and love princesses.
June 15, 2011
The series "The Princess School" is about fairytale princesses going to princess school. I love reading books like this where authors put a twist on classic fantasy. This particular story is about how the normally "perfect" Beauty just falls apart and is just what the title says,"Beauty is a Beast." Her friends, Cinderella, Repunzel, and Snow White don't know what to think of the new Beauty dribbling soup on her dress and turning her beautiful hair into a knot. I think that any girl who is entering third grade this fall will enjoy this book a lot.
July 21, 2009
The Princess School books are kinda cute, light little reads for rather young girls. This one was about Sleeping Beauty (if I remember right) and learning to be herself. Anyway, it was kinda funny and cute but nothing special.
February 14, 2011
Very enjoyable early reader chapter book. Not great literature by any means, and may be annoying to those who dislike princess tales. Way less irritating (to me) than many of the fairy and princess books my 6-year-old wants read aloud.
September 27, 2007
This is my punishment for letting my daughter pick out her own library books. ACK! Make. it. stop. Please....
November 25, 2008
Definitely one to read with your little girl. Sweet, predictable...Kenzie loves these books.
November 3, 2008
I love this book because it shows those who think someone is awesome that you shouldn't fawn over them all the time.
February 5, 2009
It was alright, i REALLY DID NOT FIND IT WELL WRITTEN. :-(
Read
July 28, 2009It is a great fairy tale hummer.
It's also, book four in the series.
It's also, book four in the series.
August 30, 2009
Funny and good. But I understand how Rose feels, with my sisters.
September 18, 2009
Cute spin on feelings young girls have and the support of friends who understand.
Read
December 10, 2009I learned people are not as they seem.
February 2, 2010
i liked this book! it is kind of girly so i would not recomend it for any guys.
July 6, 2012
beauty is a very pretty princess who acts like a not beauty.Auryn 8yo
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2013
My little girls loved this series of books. Great for 4-10 year olds.
January 8, 2015
As a little girl this was one of my favourite books.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews