Sweet Sixteen Princess: A Princess Diaries Book [Hardcover]

Mia, Princess of Genovia, is about to turn sixteen. The last thing she wants is a sweet sixteen birthday party, but it seems like that's the only thing her friends can talk about. While Mia is worried about how to get the administration at Albert Einstein High School to go less on the structured athletics and more on the personal exercise and health regimen, her best friend Lilly is still steaming over being passed up for her own show on MTV.

While Lilly stews over Andy Milonakis getting the spot instead, and her parents being separated, and waiting for her boyfriend, J.P., to use the L word, Mia is wondering what type of scheme Grandmere could possibly be concocting for her sixteenth birthday. Because although Lilly seems to think a sweet sixteen blow-out party is in order, Mia would rather have a nice, private dinner with her boyfriend, Michael, to celebrate the occasion.

And then comes the news--not only is Grandmere planning a sweet sixteen party, but she's planning the mother of all parties. Private jet to Genovia for Mia and one hundred of her closest friends (does she even know one hundred people?), shopping at all the swanky boutiques, even a performance by Destiny's Child to cap off the night. Oh, and it's going to be taped for the MTV reality show, My Super Sweet Sixteen, renamed for one night as My Super ROYAL Sweet Sixteen.

No, no, and no. Mia wants no part of this scheme, which she's sure was dreamed up by Lilly. As her friendships are strained over her decision not to take Grandmere up on her offer, Mia learns a few things about friendship, family, and loyalty to the country she will one day rule.

The Princess Diaries continues to be a delightful, enjoyable series, and SWEET SIXTEEN PRINCESS is another great read. The only downside? It took me only fifteen minutes to read this installment, which left me slightly disappointed.

Get ready for Sweet Sixteen, Princess Mia style. Everyone has an opinion about what that big event should include, but no one seems willing to listen to Mia herself. Lilly wants her to outdo the big party Lana had on a yacht with helicopter rides. Mia's Grandmere, the Queen, would like her birthday to involve jetting 100 of her friends over to Genovia for an all-expense paid shopping and sporting weekend, which will be filmed for an MTV reality show called "My Super Royal Sweet Sixteen." This is the very last thing Mia would possibly want.

But Mia has other concerns. As Student Council President, she is asking the PTA for stationary bikes and other fitness equipment for a program for all students. This is meeting with no success.

When Michael asks her what she wants for her birthday, she requests a nice romantic dinner and maybe for him to make her something. He is so busy each weekend trying to spend time with both of his now separated parents that she hardly sees him. Mia also mentions wanting to ice skate in Rockefeller Center, which she knows is impossible on May 1st, but as long as he's asking...

As Lilly continues to bug Mia about having a big celebration, Mia realizes that this is really about what happened last year at her 15th birthday party. That was when Lilly made out in a closet with a boy who was not her boyfriend, right in front of her boyfriend! Lilly wants this year to be special for Mia because she still feels bad about that. So Mia, in a fit of exasperation, tells Lilly that she will be forgiven for last year if and only if she tells her new boyfriend, J.P., that she loves him. J.P. is mysterious around Lilly even though they go on dates, and Mia and her other girlfriends want Lilly to try to provoke him into passion. Mia thinks Lilly will never bare her soul to him with the L word, but she is tired of Lilly bugging her.

When the big day arrives, Mia enjoys some time with her family, opening presents and watching Kellie Martin TV movies, before getting herself ready for what she thinks will be a quiet dinner with Michael. But he has a few surprises planned for her as well.

Fans will enjoy the humor and plot surprises in this short novel, while waiting for the next one in this fun series.

--- Reviewed by Amy Alessio

I'm not going to go over the plot with you,I'm just here to tell you what I like and dislike. What I like? That's easy. Meg Cabot has once again outdone herself with this novel. Like I said, I'm not going to go over the plot, so you will have to read it or wonder for the rest of your life(okay, exaggeration). Dislikes: Just one. IT IS NINETY-SIX PAGES! I know, I know. Book 4 1/2 was fifty pages. What is the problem here? I'll tell you: This isn't a in-between book. It is supposed to be equivalent to 150 page novels previously written by Meg Cabot. Not to mention the fact that 4 1/2 had pretty much NO plot, whereas this one has a real setting, story, and more than ten characters.

That is all I have to say. Oh, yeah, one more thing:

READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!