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Princess School #7
Thorn in Her Side
Briar Rose is in a prickly predicament. Can she keep from getting stung?
Nobody is surprised when Rose lands the part of Princess Perfecta in the school play. At first Rose bristles at once again being cast as perfect, but soon she throws herself into her role--especially her scenes opposite Nettle, who plays the Scary Fairy. Everyone else is wary of sour little Nettle, but Rose is impressed. Nettle is a brilliant actor who always stays in character--even offstage he gives Rose withering looks and acts like he'd really like to curse her. It's almost as if Nettle actually is an evil fairy with a special grudge against Rose....
Nobody is surprised when Rose lands the part of Princess Perfecta in the school play. At first Rose bristles at once again being cast as perfect, but soon she throws herself into her role--especially her scenes opposite Nettle, who plays the Scary Fairy. Everyone else is wary of sour little Nettle, but Rose is impressed. Nettle is a brilliant actor who always stays in character--even offstage he gives Rose withering looks and acts like he'd really like to curse her. It's almost as if Nettle actually is an evil fairy with a special grudge against Rose....
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
About the author
Jane B. Mason
130 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 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 25, 2025
With book 7 done and dusted, I’m wrapping up my thoughts on this beloved series. Still a bit heartbroken that book #8 got cancelled, but what a charming ride it’s been.
I’m rating the entire series 5 stars — as my 10-year-old self would have, wide-eyed and completely enchanted by any adaptation of classic fairytale characters.
Let Down Your Hair was such a standout — seeing Gothel in a softer, more human light was unexpectedly moving, and Rapunzel’s journey was both sweet and empowering. I loved it the first time around, and it still hits all the right notes.
Princess Charming came along and surprised me in the best way. Rapunzel takes a bold, action-packed turn and honestly? I was hooked. It’s one of the most exciting and dramatic books in the series, right up there with Who's The Fairest??
This series was chaotic in the best way — magical, messy, and full of charm. 10-year-old me is pleased.
I’m rating the entire series 5 stars — as my 10-year-old self would have, wide-eyed and completely enchanted by any adaptation of classic fairytale characters.
Let Down Your Hair was such a standout — seeing Gothel in a softer, more human light was unexpectedly moving, and Rapunzel’s journey was both sweet and empowering. I loved it the first time around, and it still hits all the right notes.
Princess Charming came along and surprised me in the best way. Rapunzel takes a bold, action-packed turn and honestly? I was hooked. It’s one of the most exciting and dramatic books in the series, right up there with Who's The Fairest??
This series was chaotic in the best way — magical, messy, and full of charm. 10-year-old me is pleased.
October 24, 2010
Sad to say, I think these books went downhill. There was something lacking in this one. An acting troupe comes to town and the school puts on a play.
Now, it's a very feminist play, for a world of fairy tales. All the parts with the exception of one are played by the princesses. The prince ends up getting rescued by his princess. But it's rather heavy-handed girl power, it seems like to me.
But that's not the reason the book is just sort of blah. The main plot is Briar Rose thinks this fairy called Nettle is an awesome actor. He's playing the role of the Scary Fairy in the play. And is perfect for the part. And seems to always be in character. See where I'm going with this?
So it comes as no surprise that he's the bad fairy at Rose's birth and that he's come to cast a curse on her. The only twist is that he wouldn't be such a bad guy if her parents hadn't been overprotective even then and didn't want him and his stinging Nettle self around their baby.
Meanwhile Rapunzel is getting sick, but only while she's on stage. Jee, I wonder why that could be. I mean, seriously. And nobody in the acting troupe catches on. Even when Rapunzel herself catches on, she doesn't seek help or advice. Another princess ends up taking her place. Brava. Way to overcome obstacles.
And the two princes have all but disappeared in this book and the last.
All in all, the most blah of all the books. Though I still hold #3 as the worst.
The book advertises another book in the series, "Slippery Steps", and it would've been about time for them to get back to Cinderella. But apparently Scholastic canceled its publication at the last minute.
Which really blows my mind, because I read one of those Rainbow Fairy books (Trixie the Halloween Fairy) and those are crap. And yet there's billions of them. Same publisher.
So a disappointing end to a series that somewhat managed to hold my attention. At least now I can move on to other books.
Now, it's a very feminist play, for a world of fairy tales. All the parts with the exception of one are played by the princesses. The prince ends up getting rescued by his princess. But it's rather heavy-handed girl power, it seems like to me.
But that's not the reason the book is just sort of blah. The main plot is Briar Rose thinks this fairy called Nettle is an awesome actor. He's playing the role of the Scary Fairy in the play. And is perfect for the part. And seems to always be in character. See where I'm going with this?
So it comes as no surprise that he's the bad fairy at Rose's birth and that he's come to cast a curse on her. The only twist is that he wouldn't be such a bad guy if her parents hadn't been overprotective even then and didn't want him and his stinging Nettle self around their baby.
Meanwhile Rapunzel is getting sick, but only while she's on stage. Jee, I wonder why that could be. I mean, seriously. And nobody in the acting troupe catches on. Even when Rapunzel herself catches on, she doesn't seek help or advice. Another princess ends up taking her place. Brava. Way to overcome obstacles.
And the two princes have all but disappeared in this book and the last.
All in all, the most blah of all the books. Though I still hold #3 as the worst.
The book advertises another book in the series, "Slippery Steps", and it would've been about time for them to get back to Cinderella. But apparently Scholastic canceled its publication at the last minute.
Which really blows my mind, because I read one of those Rainbow Fairy books (Trixie the Halloween Fairy) and those are crap. And yet there's billions of them. Same publisher.
So a disappointing end to a series that somewhat managed to hold my attention. At least now I can move on to other books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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.
August 6, 2014
These are cute little books. There are however becoming less and less relevant and with thinner story-lines. This book was about a little flower fairy that had the unfortunate mischance to be born a nettle flower. There could have been so much more but no, the crux of the story was reveled in the last few pages and the story was over.
June 15, 2009
This was another book that my (now 6 year old) daughter and I read together as a bedtime book. We both decided it was not what we were expecting, but we both enjoyed it. I think it is probably targeted at children who are closer to the 8 year old range.
November 3, 2008
I loved this book! We're learning about fractured fairy tales--PERFECT!
December 4, 2008
I remember these!!! I read them in, like, 3rd grade!!!!! They were actually very good then.
December 14, 2008
not my favorite
Want to Read
February 17, 2011what number is this book?
November 29, 2012
This is a (very slow) classical story about fathers and daughters. In this story, Snow White tries to cure her returned father of the amnesietic curse Maladora cast on him.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews