Nielsen, Jennifer, The False Prince. Scholastic Press, 2012. Pgs. 342. Language: G, Violence: PG-13, Sexual Content: G
Sage has been an orphan since he was 10. When he’s not stealing to try and help put food on the table for the other orphans at Mrs. Turbeldy’s orphanage, he’s getting into trouble. Sometimes together. When Sage gets trying to steal a roast for the orphanage, he gets bailed out by Connor, an advisor to the royal family. He soon discovers that the royal family has been killed and their youngest son has been missing and presumed dead from a pirate attack that occurred 4 years earlier. Attempting to prevent the kingdom from falling into evil regent hands, Connor has acquired four orphan boys to train and pass off as the missing prince. When one of the boys is killed trying to run away, Sage realizes that the only way to live is to get picked as the replacement prince. If he doesn’t get picked, he will be killed along with the other “loser.” To make matters worse, there’s a couple of other dark secrets that are lurking about that could destroy the kingdom. Will he succeed in becoming the replacement prince? Will Sage be able to save his home?
The characters are likable and well-developed. The plot is well-paced and intriguing. An excellent read as well as great audiobook, readers will be on their edge of their seats wanting to know what happens next. EL (5-6), MS. ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High.