Princess Diaries Yearbook (Princess Diaries)
#1 of 11 in The Princess Diaries Series
on Goodreads (259,059)
What’s inside...
A fun and funky princess-fest that makes essential reading for all fans of THE PRINCESS DIARIES series, offering beauty and fashion tips, friendship advice, horoscopes, princess-themed puzzles and quizzes, and a hilarious exclusive story called PRINCESS IN A PANIC. It also follows the trials of Mia Thermopolis, a freshman who learns that her mother is dating her Algebra teacher, her father is a crown prince, and she still doesn't have a date for the school dance. Mia Thermopolis is pretty sure there's nothing worse than being a five-foot-nine, flat-chested freshman, who also happens to be flunking Algebra. But she's in for a surprise as her mom announces that she's dating Mia's Algebra teacher, her dad reveals that he is the crown prince of Genovia, and she still doesn't have a date for the Cultural Diversity Dance.
Character compass
Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo
Lilly Moscovitz
Michael Moscovitz
Helen Thermopolis
Princess Clarisse Renaldo
Lana Weinberger
Frank Gianini
"Grandmère" Clarisse Renaldo
Mia Thermopolis
Tina Hakim Baba
Discussion points
How did Mia handle the challenges she faced and what can we learn from her approach?
Which of Mia's friendships do you admire the most and why?
If you were Mia, how would you balance the responsibilities of being a princess and a high school student?
How do the characters in the book demonstrate the importance of honesty and integrity?
What would you do if you were in Mia's shoes during one of her diary's major events?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate their personal experiences to Mia’s challenges and achievements, promoting empathy and self-reflection.
Discuss the importance of friendships and trust, drawing parallels between personal relationships and those in the book.
Use Mia’s responsibilities and choices as avenues to explore the concepts of duty, personal growth, and leadership with your child.
Highlight how characters in the book handle mistakes and encourage your child to talk about learning from their own mistakes.
Foster a conversation on how communication and honesty are key in resolving conflicts, as seen in various interactions in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The protagonist, Mia, deals with the responsibilities of being a princess and a student, learning to manage her duties and personal life.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by taking ownership of tasks such as homework or household chores, understanding that responsibility aids in personal growth.
Example Lesson: Self-identity
Explanation: Throughout the book, Mia explores and struggles with her identity, eventually accepting and celebrating who she is.
Real-World Application: It encourages children to embrace their unique qualities and be confident in expressing themselves.
Example Lesson: Handling Change
Explanation: Mia's life changes drastically when she learns she's a princess. She learns to adapt to new situations and embrace the changes.
Real-World Application: This lesson is vital for children as they navigate through different phases of life and cope with new challenges and environments.
Example Lesson: The Importance of Friendship
Explanation: Mia relies on her friends for support and advice, showcasing the value of true friendship.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of building strong, supportive relationships and being a good friend in return.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Mia faces many challenges but consistently works through them, showing persistence.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of persevering through difficulties, whether in school or in personal endeavors.