The Princess Diaries (The Princess Diaries #1)

Reader reviewed by snailshot

I watched the movie before the book. I was shocked how different it was from the movie. Disney tones everything down to a parable-sweet noble story. The book is a whacky, naive and more teen oriented. Notables: Mia's dad isn't dead he has testicular cancer, Mia's from New York not friendly San Fran. Mia's more funnier not just a geek. Even though I couldn't necessarily relate to her awarkedness, I could relate with this book which was in fact like reading a hilarious "note from a friend". Fun, addictive, must read. I'm glad I read the book later, the movie would definetely disappoint.

Reader reviewed by Jamie

This book is about a teenage named Mia who just finds out she is a princess. During the book Mia has to take princess lessons on top of school and all the problems teenages face. I loved this book Meg Cabot is a great writter!

Reader reviewed by Rachael

I love this book! Mia is unpopular, unattractive, and is flunking algebra, how much worse can it get well geuss what it just got worse MIA IS A PRINCESS!!! Can she pull off her dutey or will she give away her crown?

Reader reviewed by QA

I have to admit that I saw the movie before reading the book. As with many cases, the book is even ten times better than the movie. The movie changed almost eveything. In the movie, Mia's dad dies and she becomes a princess. In the book, he is alive but has prostate cancer and she is the only heir so she becomes a princess. Although Julie Andrews is good at portraying Grandmere, I actually like Grandmere in the book better because she is so hilariously mean. You can't help but like and hate her at the same time. I think a lot of teens can relate to Mia a lot because she has all of these insecurities. You can't help but sympathize with Mia and rejoice at her triumphs.

If you like these cute diary-type books, also check out the Confessions of Georgia Nicholson series.

Reader reviewed by Amanda

I recently reread the Princess Diaries, but it was just as good as before. Mia is a New York girl, 14, and a freshman in high school, particularly Albert Einstein High School. She's best friends with Lilly Moscovitz, who has a hot brother, Michael, and a weird boyfriend, Boris Pelkowski. She is also friends with Ling Su and Shameeka. In the awful movie adaptation, she is only friends with Lilly and there is certainly no Boris. Mia's love is Josh Richter (AKA Josh Bryant in the movie), who's love is Lana Weinburger. Lana is a big jerk and Josh is a big druggie. Then, her father shows up and explains that she is a princess. The nation is Genovia, a very small land in Europe. The princess lessons begin and change Mia drastically. Mia changes her hair, clothing, and adds makeup. This angers Lilly and suspends their friendship. Mia meets Tina Hakim-Baba and they become good friends. Both are alike, they have body guards and are outcasts. Suddenly, Mia's princess lessons teacher, the evil Grandmere, leaks to the press that Mia is a princess. Now Lana wants to be her friend, Josh wants to go with her to the cultural diversity dance. Everyone wants Mia and what does she do?


The Princess Diaries is true to life and really funny. You can read through the struggles and times of Mia in an instant. The Princess Diaries is a great read for girls 12 and up.

Reader reviewed by Amanda

Meg Cabot's the Princess Diaries is an exquisite novel of surprise, excitement, and happiness. The story is about Mia Thermopolis, a New York girl. She attends Albert Einstein High School and is best friends with Lily Moscovitz, a free-spirit and tv show host. Mia is an only child, living with her mother, an artist. Her father is a public official in a country called Genovia. Mia has a crush on a boy named Josh and is tortured by a popular girl, Lana. Then, let's add in the fact that her mother starts dating her algebra teacher, in whose class she happens to be flunking. She couldn't be more smashed by what happens next.



Mia finds out she is a princess. Her father has cancer, he is the leader of Genovia. If he dies, she must take his place as leader of Genovia. Now, she must complete princess lessons to make her the most proper and beautiful lady. Who's giving the princess lessons but her evil and strict Grandmere. This could be a problem!


This is a funny book in diary form. Unlike the movie, this is very interesting. She is given the diary to stop acting anger on others. Her father is not dead and she doesn't live in San Francisco. The story makes more sense in the book and you will love it. I recommend it to girls 12 and up. If you haven't ever read book 2,3,4,4.5, and soon 5, I suggest you read it before you see The Princess Diaries 2 in theaters, I believe summer 2004.

Reader reviewed by Lynn

Truely wonderful. A must-read

Reader reviewed by Cassie Von Behren

The Princess Diaries is an excellent book though very different from the movie. Actually the book is a lot better then the movie. The characters are more developed and it makes more sense. In the book Mia is writing diary entries and it explains her true feelings about what shes experiencing. A major character that wasnt in the movie but was in the book is her dad. In the movie the Dad was a mystery but in the book he was very important. This book will keep you reading and I recommend it to anyone