Princess for Hire

When 14-year-old Desi answers a classified ad that reads “Princess for Hire,” she can't believe her luck: Desi finds out she has MP (Magic Potential). This means she has what it takes to become a princess surrogate, which requires the ability to physically transform into the image of any princess across the globe. Desi doesn't have to think twice (she lives in Sproutville, Idaho, and her current job involves wearing a groundhog costume). She signs on with Meredith, a no-nonsense “[p]rincess agent extraordinaire,” who gives Desi a crash course in standing in for vacationing royals. Filled with slapstick humor that some might find grating, and populated by an over-the-top cast of characters, Desi's story consists of one mishap after another, as she tries to navigate the love lives and friendships of the royals. First in a planned series, Leavitt's debut novel has an entertaining premise that would be right at home as a TV movie for tweens. Though the stakes never feel high and Desi's ultimate triumph is a foregone conclusion, Desi shows that she's a heroine with heart. Ages 11–up. (Mar.)