Perfect Villains (Bad Princesses #1)

Torres (Catalina Incognito: Skateboard Star) examines themes of good vs. evil via warm depictions of friendship in this immersive world featuring two mischievous princesas attending the Fine and Ancient Institute for the Royal (F.A.I.R.). According to her mother and older sister, Dominga must attend F.A.I.R. to learn how to be a proper lady. But Dominga believes that she’s destined to enroll in the Bewitched Academy for the Dreadful (B.A.D.), a school for villains in training. She feels out of place at F.A.I.R., until she meets Dalia, another young princesa who shares her ideals. The pair team up during Woodland Wildlife lessons to hatch their audition plans for B.A.D. but are foiled at almost every turn, as when an attempt to lure fire ants into class is curtailed by their teacher. Spanish dialogue and abundant descriptions of empanadas and bizcochitos, coupled with the princesas’ madcap shenanigans, make for a smart and inclusive novel, which features girls of varying abilities, body types, and heritages, including artist and wheelchair user Leonor, who unexpectedly befriends the dastardly duo. The episodic novel lends itself well to the girls’ schemes and provides ample fodder for the tweens’ next adventure. Ages 8–12. Agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary. (May)