The Diamond Princess Saves the Day

Jewel Kingdom #4

by Jahnna N. Malcolm, Neal McPheeters (Illustrator)

Ruling the White Winterland, a world of snow and ice, the beautiful and clever Demetra uses her magic mirror to see things that are happening elsewhere, in a story accompanied by a free toy diamond necklace. Original.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Chapter Books, Fairy Tales, Middle Grade, Juvenile, Fiction

80 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1997

About the author

Jahnna N. Malcolm is the pen name for husband-and-wife team Jahnna Beecham and Malcolm Hillgartner. Together they've written four musicals, two movies, three CD-ROM games, and nearly one hundred books, including the popular series The Jewel Kingdom. They met in the theater and were married on the stage using Marlowe's famous love letter from "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" as their wedding vows.

Reviews

[Lizzy Seitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 out of 5 stars

Loved this series growing up and still love it now!

[Shase Lindell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book suffered from a much less interesting plot as the prior ones in the series. The dialogue seems to have improved and I am currently under the impression that the diamond princess' mirror is the most useful of all the princesses. I like the Ruby Princess for being bold and brave and the Sapphire Princess makes for a good character as I found her mostly defined by her kindness and ability to be friends with anyone. The Diamond Princess, however seems to be overshadowed by Finley, a non-princess character. Finley is quick witted and drives the narrative and so overshadows other side characters that I was more drawn to him than the main character.

[Dahlia ♥ Eliza]

This is another fun addition to this series that I’m preview in for my 6yo dahlia. I loved Demetria’s bravery in this one.

There was a single line about 3/4 through the book that I crossed out though. It’s when they said that Bleak used to be handsome before he become evil. It’s totally unnecessary to enforce the stereotype that ugly is evil and beautiful is good. There was a more subtle bit of that in book #2 as well.

I’ll add my daughter’s thoughts once she reads this.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter and I blazed through this whole series. The Diamond Princess was her favorite of the 4 princesses and this was the book she most looked forward to, but she didn't enjoy it as much as the others. I think the strained relationship between the princess and her advisor didn't really resonate with a 9 year old. Still, it was nice to hear about the Jewel Kingdom. It's a fun series.

[Jordan MacKinnon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aww !! I really like this story and how it dealt with the stubborness of the Diamond Princess and her advisor! Also the monster that wasn't really a monster and had such a tragic backstory... which is dark for a kids book!! But loved the use of the magical objects that is unique to each princess !

[HappyGay Bakunzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm wondering

I was wondering I know that I read this book as a child and all the characters were white I looked it up so that I knew that I wasn't imagining things. I am happy for the change though I love diversity in books

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this series as a kid and I wanted to re-read them just for the fun of it. They're simple, but cute.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book because there are diamonds and it's kind of weird because there was a scary bear and then it became a bear that was nice.

[Anni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember loving this book when I was a little kid!

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah man, that cover was definitely remembered.

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was always my favorite Jewel Kingdom book as a little kid. It was cute and held up to my memories.

[Slcrawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book finds Demetra, the Diamond Princess of Winter Wonderland, on an adventure with her palace advisor – a talking fox named Finley – to save some of her subjects who have become trapped in a scary mountain cave. Demetra and Finley had a fight prior to the beginning of the story but soon learn that if they are going to save their royal subjects, they must work together. Along the way, Demetra and Finley learn about bravery, perseverance, friendship, and humility. The book features beautifully cute artwork that pairs really well with the vivid imagery used in the plot.
The story of Demetra and her journey is very simplistic but really drives home the themes of friendship, teamwork, and bravery in ways that are easily understandable for young readers between 2nd and 5th grade. The character of Demetra is very relatable as is her relationship with Finley. The text uses vivid imagery with a focus on color and texture that help build an image in the reader’s mind of what Demetra is experiencing on her journey. There are also many instances of alliteration throughout the story – such as “Big Bear Bernard,” “Magic Mirror,” and “Winter Wonderland” – that could be used as examples for students. It also has multiple instances of rhyme as that is how Demetra and Finley communicate with her Magic Mirror. These aspects of the text could be used as students transition from only reading narrative to learning about poetry as many of these forms of language are more common in poetry than prose. Students could be asked to look for alliteration and rhyme within a context they are familiar with.

[Liana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in the Jewel Kingdom series featuring Demetra, the Diamond Princess. The plot in this story is extremely simple, Demetra and her adviser Finley (who's a cute arctic fox) do NOT get along and have to go on a small adventure together, to save a bunch of goblins trapped inside a mountain. They learn how to work together and solve out their problems, and in the end, become really great friends.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demetra will fix everything!

Princess Demetra hears that some goblins are trapped. She comes to rescue them.
When she gets their she falls into a hole and she doesn't know that's where the goblins are trapped. Suddenly a big bear rumbles up from the earth they are so scared. Will the bear eat them or will it spar their lives?

[Dawnetta · Rating 3 out of 5]

If your child can read at this level it would be a good book. A fun beginning fantasy series. The plot lines are simple and easily solved with not too much of the dark side of fantasy.

[Cws]

BR-Mal

[Deanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember getting this book as a gift when I was like seven and it just started me going crazy on this series.

[Moon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was better than the second book, but none of them were as good as the first.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading these as a little girl

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these books as a child.

[Julianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this in about a half hour. I can't believe I got so involved in the story when I was little. Now I realise there really is no story to get involved in, at least for my age.

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A favorite series of mine growing up.