Princess Juniper of the Hourglass

This spirited be-careful-what-you-wish-for story opens on an enticing note as King Regis grants the request of his daughter, Princess Juniper, to rule her own country as a present for her 13th %E2%80%9CNameday.%E2%80%9D Paquette%E2%80%99s (Rules for Ghosting) dramatic and humorous novel sends Juniper off with a ragtag group of children to establish her kingdom in the remote Hourglass Mountains. %E2%80%9CBeing queen, it turned out, was rather easier thought than done,%E2%80%9D Juniper observes as she copes with her %E2%80%9Cwild and unruly%E2%80%9D subjects, who include Cyril, the son of her father%E2%80%99s chief advisor. But Juniper%E2%80%99s gumption and optimism prevail as she reassures her followers, %E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%99re going to build the very best kingdom there ever was. We%E2%80%99ll have fun, too, as we go.%E2%80%9D Though the fledgling queen%E2%80%99s confidence flags in the face of Cyril%E2%80%99s scheme to usurp her sovereignty and ominous signs that her father%E2%80%99s palace has fallen to enemies, readers won%E2%80%99t doubt her eventual triumph, which involves some entertaining twists and paves the way for more lighthearted intrigue ahead. Ages 8%E2%80%9312. Agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary Agency. (July)