A beloved friend is back to her humorous self. I first met Lois Lowry through her hilarious stories about Anastia Krupnik. These very funny stories brought laughter to many young readers. Lois then went on to win medals for such titles as THE GIVER and NUMBER THE STARS. This very versatile author is comfortable no matter what subject matter is being treated.
Her newest book, THE BIRTHDAY BALL , with illustrations by Jules Feiffer (Houghton Mifflin, 16.00 April 2010) brings us Princess Patricia Priscilla about to turn sixteen. This age is crucial for at her birthday ball she will select her husband from a group of “unappealing” suitors. And unappealing is a subject Lois handles most adroitly. She manages to make each suitor more unattractive than the others.
Princess Patricia Priscilla is not one to wait around for the fickle finger of fate. No, she disguises herself as a peasant girl, sheds her shoes and enrolls in the village school where she meets a young and handsome schoolmaster. Marveling at what she learns about the other children, she soon develops friendships unheard of in her former life.
The day of the ball arrives, the suitors are in house, the festivities begin. Who will claim the prize of the princess and the kingdom? Never try to out guess Lois Lowry. Remember the schoolmaster was young and handsome and actually from a noble family!
The whole package here is splendid fun. The independent princess, her personal staff who becomes absorbed in reading ALICE IN WONDERLAND, the students of the village school, the bizarre suitors combine to make rollicking happy read.
The artwork is typical Jules Feiffer and adds form and body to Lois’ characters. This is an genius combination of talents. Fun for all readers no matter the age. Independent readers grade 4 and up.