The fourth book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot. Never before has the world seen such a princess. Nor have her own subjects, for that matter. But Genovian politics are nothing next to Mia's real troubles. Between canceled dates with her long-sought-after royal consort, a second semester of the dreaded Algebra, more princess lessons from Grandmère, and the inability to stop gnawing on her fingernails, isn't there anything Mia is good at besides inheriting an unwanted royal title? Princess in Waiting is the fourth book in the beloved, bestselling series that inspired the feature film starring Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews. The fourth volume in Meg Cabot's popular Princess Diaries series, Princess in Waiting begins in the tiny country of Genovia, where 14-year-old Mia, the unlikely royal, is on winter break trying not to bite her fingernails. Being a princess and fighting for the installation of parking meters is tough, when all you really want to do is go back to your regular life in New York City and see your dreamy boyfriend Michael. Of course, Mia is soon back in the city, trying not to fail Algebra II and trying to stay afloat in a sea of self-doubt. Could it be true that she is merely a "massive reject" covered with orange cat hair? For that matter, is finding her missing lucky Queen Amidala underwear as important as finding her secret talent? Mia's frank, funny diary entries range from "Things to Do" lists ("Stop obsessing over whether or not Michael loves you vs. being in love with you"); lists of the valuable lessons of romantic heroines ("3. Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice : Boys like it when you are smart-alecky."); transcripts of instant-messaging rounds with Michael; to poems ("Like the Millenium Falcon in hyperdrive/ our love will continue to thrive and thrive") and general irrational tirades. Whether or not Mia ever achieves her much-sought-after "self-actualization," teens will enjoy reading her over-the-top, up-to-the-minute-hip diary. (Ages 12 and older) --Karin Snelson Grade 6-9-Mia is back in this fourth installment in the series. Breezy diary entries detail her adventures starting on December 21 in Genovia and ending on January 24 in New York City. Bursting with pop-culture references, the narrative bubbles along like a late hour at a slumber party. The events are busy with many trivial pursuits that readers are expected to relate to, but the lack of substance may bore them. While in Genovia, Mia is missing her boyfriend Michael, and must contend with feisty Grandmere, a full diplomatic social schedule, and parking-meter debates. When she returns to school in New York City, she still has to deal with her grandmother, and algebra, and find her missing lucky Queen Amidala underwear. In addition, she must figure out how she can go to a ball that Grandmere is ordering her to attend and still see Michael on the same night. Mia's preoccupation with figuring out what her talent is, which she doesn't recognize as her writing, is so contrived that this protagonist has lost some of her charm. Although the likable characters are intact and girls may enjoy the romance and funny details of life as a 14-year-old princess, this outing is strictly for fans. Debbie Stewart, Grand Rapids Public Library, MI Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. Gr. 5-7. The fourth installment in the Princess Diaries series first finds Mia in Genovia where she is (1) involved in a parking-meter controversy; (2) waiting to meet Prince William; and (3) missing her boyfriend Michael's calls and counting the days (on every page) until they are reunited. When she's back in New York, Mia must decide whether to play hard to get (like Jane Eyre) or to embrace her relationship with Michael. But once she decides, she's involved in an impossible tug-of-war between a date with Michael and appearing at a ball that her grandmother insists she attend. Cabot has the diaries down to a successful formula now, and like the previous books, this one is fast, furious, and mostly funny, with a clever subplot that nods to real life--a movie made about Mia's life. A teen's everyday concerns topped with a tiara; fans will adore it all. Refer aspiring princess to Cabot's Princess Lessons, p.1657. Ilene Cooper Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved “As hilarious and enjoyable as its predecessors.” - Kirkus Reviews “Bubbles along like a late hour at a slumber party.” - School Library Journal Never before has the world seen such a princess. Nor have her own subjects, for that matter. Mia's royal introduction to Genovia has mixed results: while her fashion sense is widely applauded, her position on the installation of public parking meters is met with resistance. But the politics of bureaucracy are nothing next to Mia's real troubles. Between canceled dates with her long-sought-after royal consort, a second semester of the dreaded Algebra, more princess le