The Spy Princess

Gr 5-8–A fast-paced adventure set in the fictional land of Selenna within the larger realm of Sartorias-deles.  Despite the long list of books set in Sartorias-deles, this one can easily stand alone. Princess Lilah, 12, lives in a world on the brink of revolution. When she gets an itch for adventure, she disguises herself as a boy and becomes embroiled in the action as the kingdom descends into chaos. The legions of poor have rebelled against their rich overlords, including Lilah's family, and her brother is helping to lead the revolution. The plot is complex but well developed and there are plenty of twists to keep clever readers guessing. Smith's writing keeps pace with well-placed descriptive passages, but without frills. Lilah is an empowered girl, but still acts her age and makes plenty of impetuous mistakes. Her world is richly detailed, and the supporting characters often defy conventions. The political themes and complexity keep this novel out of reach for reluctant readers, but would likely satisfy more sophisticated children longing for something meatier. Ricca Gaus