Princess Private Eye

A bold orphan with a penchant for sleuthing learns that she is a long-lost princess in this clever tale by Skye (The Crown’s Game). Twelve-year-old Gen Sun, who is white and East Asian, grew up using her sharp mind and strong sense of justice to solve crimes while rotating between foster homes in N.Y.C. When secret agents from an obscure nation, Raldonia, claim that she is their missing princess, Gen is whisked away to the grand palace, where she must undergo princess training in order to rule one day. Rough-and-tumble Gen doesn’t believe she’s cut out for a standard princess gig, and clashes with her prim and proper grandmother, Queen Michelina. Soon, mysterious disasters begin plaguing the kingdom, and citizens blame Gen’s reemergence, sparking rumors of a long-feared Raldonian curse. But Gen knows foul play when she sees it: someone is out to dethrone her, and Gen will have to crack the case. Surprising plot twists, high emotional stakes, and vibrant characters coalesce into a royal series starter propelled by Gen’s take-charge narration, making for a solid addition to the kick-butt princess canon that’s just right for fans of The Princess Diaries. Ages 8–12. Agent: Thao Le, Sandra Dijkstra Literary. (May)