The Princess and the Peabodys

by Betty G. Birney

When a medieval princess and a modern-day soccer player develop an unlikely friendship, the two girls learn important lessons about life from each other that give them the confidence they need to overcome the very different challenges they face in their young lives.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Young Adult, Juvenile

249 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2007

About the author

From kindergarten through graduation, I attended school in Affton, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. Then I graduated from Webster College (now Webster University) in Webster Groves, Missouri. Of course, I majored in English and kept on writing.

After working in advertising in St. Louis, Missouri and in Chicago, Illinois, I eventually moved to Southern California. First, I worked for Disneyland (fun job!) in the advertising department. The monorail whizzed past my window all day long. Then I worked at the Disney Studio in Burbank, where I had another fun job, writing and producing television and radio commercials and theatrical trailers (previews of coming attractions) for everything from re-releases of "Cinderella" and "Fantasia" to "Tex."

When the Disney Channel was started, I became a writer and story editor for WELCOME TO POOH CORNER. Since then, I've written more than 200 episodes of animated and live-action television programs including MADELINE, DOUG, BOBBY'S WORLD, DUMBO'S CIRCUS, THE PUZZLE PLACE, CAMP CANDY, LITTLE MOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, WHERE'S WALDO, FRAGGLE ROCK and ZOOBILEE ZOO. That's right, I write cartoons! I also wrote a number of award-winning afterschool specials and many interactive CD-ROM programs, including the award-winning "Berenstain Bears on their Own," "Richard Scarry's Busiest Neighborhood Ever," and "The Crayon Factory."

A made-for-television family movie I wrote, MARY CHRISTMAS, starring John Schneider, Cynthia Gibb and Tom Bosley, aired on the PAX network in 2002. It was the highest rated movie in PAX history and has aired each Christmas season since then.

I have been fortunate enough to win a Writer's Guild of America Award and three Humanitas Prizes (as well as two other nominations). In 2002, I won a Daytime Emmy Award for MADELINE, after two previous Emmy nominations. More recently, I received the Christopher Award for FRIENDSHIP ACCORDING TO HUMPHREY, many children's choice awards for THE WORLD ACCORDING TO HUMPHREY and was inducted into the Affton (MO) School District Hall of Fame.

Reviews

[Libby · Rating 2 out of 5]

For starters--why on earth was this book in the Young Adult section of my library? That is just unexplainably bizarre and uncomprehensible! Why put a candyfloss book inbetween Scott Westerfield and Jane Austen? Not literally, as alphabetically that wouldn't work, but teenage books are supposed to be suited to teenagers. This book, I repeat, was candyfloss.
Young kids like candyfloss. Senseless stuff that just rots your teeth and gives you a headache. This book is candyfloss, senseless writing that just rots your mind. The Princess And The Peabodys seems more suited to the Humphrey audience, a series written by the same author. The book had a predicable plot and dull, everyday language. If the only reason this book was put in the YA section was the 'romance' going on... well, there wasn't really any.
And another thing; get your facts right! If one is going to surplant a medivael princess into 2000's California, please, please, please get your facts straight. For one thing, I highly doubt that any medivael princess-correct me if I'm wrong here--would wear a sugar pink dress. Dying fabric was pretty hard then.
In short, this book just combines Disney fairytales with sterotypical American high school drama. And it just doesn't work!

[Gwen the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Casey and her grandma love to go yard sale shopping, so when they discover a cheap, mysterious, old box that won’t open, they are sure that there something good inside. When they finally get the box open at home, a princess pops out! Turns out that the royal wizard was supposed to make the box appear and disappear, but he wasn’t very talented and not only did the box disappear for good, but it took the princess with it! Now the princess is stuck living in modern California with the Peabody family until the wizard can learn the right spell. While Gran, Dad, and little Shane seem entranced by the princess, Casey is the one who will have to show her how to get along in junior high! Princess Eglantine bosses people around, speaks a medieval sort of English, and doesn’t have a clue how modern inventions work. Casey is sure that this is going to make her a laughingstock! This very funny premise makes a great fish out of water tale and explores diversity in a new way. I like that the story is told from the point of view of the tomboy who is being imposed upon by the princess, making this is not your typical pink, sparkly princess story.

[Faerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modern day princess with a twist of old-fashion tales. I really enjoyed this book I finished it very quickly. I cried, I laugh and I was angered. I love books that make you feel as if you are experiencing what the characters are, it's just a wonderful, magical ride! Great work from Betty G Birney. Very deserving of 5 stars.

[Michie Jaay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I nearly didn’t read this book. I judged the cover at first glance. I saw the cutesy girly cover and went “this is totally a dumb girly book”, then went *no*, “I bet it’s actually sweet and funny and there would be nothing wrong with me liking a cutesy g i r l y book”. And it was.

It was cute, sweet, and reminded of like a Disney channel original movie (particularly Princess Protection which was a fav of mine long ago) and I enjoyed it. It was funny too. It wasn’t necessarily heart breaking or life changing, but that’s why I am reading children’s books, I just want to read, smile, feel good, then go to sleep. This book achieved that for me.

The cover definitely doesn’t give the book justice, while it shows what you might ‘learn’ from this book, it doesn’t say anything about the plot. So I will share a no-spoiler summary. The book is about the Peabodys who come across a Princess now trapped in their time, and her messy young wizard tries to get her back home. While he does this, she lives with the Peabodys and learns how to live basically in an entirely different universe. But the Princess doesn’t just learn on her own, even Casey Peabody, all of the Peabodys, might learn something from her too.

Here’s a few of my favorite quotes:

• “”Cool!” said The Pain.”
• “The duke sometimes speaks to invisible beings as well. My father, the king, says ‘tis harmless.”
• “When I was your age, I was only comfortable talking to my dog.”
• “She gasped in horror. “Princesses are not funny.””
• “The spateggi, ‘tis delicious,- ‘tis chilly!”
• “Oh no. My attire would not befit you. I think you should dress like you.”
• “And I’m your lady in waiting, I thought. Waiting for you to disappear.”
• “Besides, it’s not like Tino’s really dumb. He’s just… uncomplicated.”
• “”They’d pick us girls up and throw us into the air.”
“Did they catch you again?”
“Most of the time, anyway let’s see what I remember.””
• “”But cheerleaders wear such tiny skirts!”
Once I assured her that those little skirts had little shorts sewn inside, she was ready for the basics.”
• “After awhile, Shane wandered in. “Isn’t anybody hungry?” That was his subtle way of saying somebody should be cooking dinner.- Dad wandered in. “Boy, I had no idea how late it was getting”. That was *his* subtle way of saying somebody should be cooking dinner.”
• “I feel as if I have been made a fool of. I was misled into believing everyone was equal in this country! I resign at once!”
• “Maybe I should have tried to discourage her, but let’s face it, the girl could impose three airborne apples on one knife. She was pretty unstoppable.”
• “”Maybe I was too rough on you. I mean, it’s not like you intentionally kicked the ball at him, right?”
I kept quiet at that one.”
• “I realized Gran hadn’t looked for a pair of shoes for herself after all. But I loved the pair she bought me.”
• “I know those lists of rules for girls always say not to accept invitations at the last minute. But luckily, as much as I like to play soccer and softball, I don’t play those *other* kinds of girl games. I said yes without hesitation.”
• “”Pish! If you are wearing what you truly want to wear, there is no reason to be embarrassed. The only reason to be embarrassed is if you’re wearing something you do not like.”
“Doesn’t it embarrass you the way all the girls at school are imitating you?”
“*Trying* to imitate me. It does not bother me, but it should bother them.”
• “You taught me how to run, how to share, how to stand up for myself. You even taught me that the earth is round.”


**spoiler?? quote**

• “I unfolded my fingers and there was a single pink pearl earring. Princess Eglantine Eleanor Annalisa Ambrosia de Bercy of the Kingdom of Trewellyn had given me one of her mother’s earring and kept one for herself. We would always need each other to make a perfect pair.”

That is all. Thank you.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about being true to yourself. My 7 year old and I read it t bedtime. She really enjoyed it. Fun characters and a good message.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun one to read with girls, just the right mix of princess and fantasy.

[Marcela Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this back in high school and I wished she ended up with the other guy.

[Fae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mostly can't remember how the story went since I read it a long time ago but what I can remember is that it was a cute read.

[natalya · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Princess and the Peabodys was a quick read. I have it in my own personal library, and decided to re-read it just for the fun of it. A girl named Casey and her grandma go to a yard sale and pick up a rusted, old box. Very difficult to open, they take it to her Father who eventually opens it, and out comes a blonde, perfect princess. In the beginning, the princess is rude, vain, annoying, and calls the Peabodys 'commoners' and 'peasants.' Casey immediately dislikes her. As the story progresses, a cute wizard named Alaric (Ric for short) tries to find a spell to take Princess Eglantine (Egg for short) back to her own kingdom. I gave this book four stars because, though the writing wasn't the greatest, and Egg was a little unrealistic in the beginning, it turned out to be a quick, enjoyable read.

[Angelica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was about a normal teenage girl who played soccer. In the beggining the princess ruins caseys life by being proncessey, or whatever. anyways the princess has to learn how to be a normal teenage cousin of cassey. Not Possible she thinks. Casey gets more friends than ever when "Egg"(the princess) came. Egg becomes a cheerleader and becomes popular. she has to go though when the wizard learns how she can come back to her palace. they do right after she becomes homecoming queen. she has to come back and be a normal teenager, when all her family doesn't care about her. they are to worried about war.

[Diana.veras · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Princess and the Peabodys" is a great book. I learned that if you are yourself you can accomplish anything. Another thing I learned was that not to judge anyone before i know them. My favorite part o the book is when Eglantine (Egg) says "My life in Trewellyn was like living in a mirror but her i have truly lived." This shows that we need to be thankful for where we live and take care of it. It also shows that other people wish they lived like us and everyone is as happy as they always seem to be.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book for young girls about a medieval princess who is accidentally sent to the present by a sweet, but not quite adept, young wizard. As a result, a young girl who would rather play soccer than get dressed up and deal with the cheerleaders in her class has to deal with the fact that an actual princess is now living with her. The story is about being yourself, having confidence, and friendship with a little bit of magic and old english thrown in. It’s a quick read that will leave you feeling happy.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my all time favourite books. At some points it may seem childish, however it tells the heartwarming story of Casey Peabody and her family who come across a time travelling medieval princess, Eglantine, and her personal wizard, Alaric. Together they help Eglantine get back home to her father, but not before she sorts out all their problems, sets Caseys school into place and auditions to be a cheerleader! I would definitely recommend this book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable!! As cute as the cover. When a teenage wizard blunders a spell that sends a real, live medieval princess to the Peabodys' house, fourteen-year-old Casey Peabody is in for a royal mess! It was bad enough attending Pine Glen Junior High with a squad of cheerleading princesses. Now suddenly Casey has to contend with a real princess of her own.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this sweet book about a medeviel princess who is magically transported to modern day. Princess Egg drives Casey Peabody crazy! Egg is all girl, and Casey is a major tom boy. The two learn to get a long and each ends up teaching the other a thing or two. I like the theme of this book - be yourself and people will like you for who you are.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Princess Egaltine suddenly appears at the Peabodys house, the person most affected is eighth-grader Casey, a jock who isn't interested in boys. Egg is quickly followed by the inept wizard who accidentally sent her into the future. Together, they change Casey, although she's resistant to the use of magic.

[Ange · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of my daughter's favorite books and she assigned me to read it. I was surprised at how much I liked it. The characters are very like-able and well developed. I like when authors are true to their characters. In the end though I was reminded by the tidy happily-ever-after clean-up that this book is indeed a book written for a young audience.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was adorable. I read it this summer (2007) and for any young preteen/teen girl who reads it without enjoyment they are crazy. The authors style is witty, snappy, the flow is fast and frenzied. The princess is a hoot and the poor Peabody family just rolls with it.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty cute book. I liked the plot and characters a lot. The use of old english language is going to be good for the younger readers to see. Definitely a book for girls. I liked the surprise ending and was left with a happily-ever-after feeling.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter picked this book at the library, and I ended up reading it. I thought it was a great little story about how this real princess and a modern teenager end up bringing out the best in each other. Very cute story for young preteens. (and their moms)

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cotton candy book - sweet, fluffy, and pink. It didn't last too long, but I enjoyed it while I had it.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it becuse the author made the princess very realstic like when the phone rang she was afraid

[*Eva* · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved it! it was so cute!

[Pandora · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book about how a sports loving tomboy and a medieval princess learn how to bring out the best in each other.

[Lee Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a YA book, but delightfully written with a great message about being yourself.

[Gracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was really good. It felt like I was actually there in the story. I felt the way tthe characters would throughout the book.

[Julia Hu · Rating 4 out of 5]

luved it. but best the first time

[Deborah McCabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very sweet book. Appropriate for pre-teens. My daughter liked it too!

[Talo]

good

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining book which I liked quite a lot.