The Princess Diaries

The Princess Diaries is the first novel in the titular children’s book series penned by American author Meg Cabot. First published in 2000, The Princess Diaries became a New York Times bestseller and was quickly adapted into a 2001 film of the same name starring Anne Hathaway as Mia Thermopolis and Julie Andrews as Mia’s grandmother. Although the film adaptation deviates greatly from the novel, both versions of The Princess Diaries tackle the adolescent experience and utilize humor to tell a story about love, growing up, family, responsibility, and finding one’s inner strength. The American Library Association (ALA) recognized The Princess Diaries as a Best Book for Young Adults and a Quick Pick for Young Readers. The New York Public Library also included it on the list “125 Books We Love for Teens.” The series includes 11 books for young adults, as well as one volume for adult readers and a middle school series. A Publishers Weekly review posted on the author’s web site notes, "There is a school of thought that says reading should be entertaining, and this is exactly what Meg Cabot produces for us: fun. She is the master of her genre; she is the George Bernard Shaw, if not the George Eliot of [her genre].