Incredibly Penelope

A witty and moving take on A Little Princess from an acclaimed author about the friends and family who can be found in surprising places

Penelope has been all over the globe, from the tippity top to the bottomitty bottom, traveling alongside her godmother, the super celebrity Queenie Bee. And she’s done things most kids never dream of, like feeding giraffes, exploring real glaciers, and hopping from one five-star hotel to the next. But there’s one thing she has never done, and she desperately wants to give it a try: go to school! So Penelope persuades her mother and godmother to let her attend Idlewild Academy for Girls. There, Penelope’s charm, openness, and generosity quickly win over many of her new classmates. Although some, including sullen Dilly, think she’s a snob. But when Penelope’s mother and godmother go missing, her wealth goes along with them, and people start treating her differently—even cruelly. Is Penelope still special? Is she still the same person? And whatever will she do now? Celebrated author Lauren Myracle delivers a delicious update on a classic riches-to-rags story, both bubbly and poignant, in which friends and family are found in surprising places.The omniscient third-person narration uses child-friendly language. . . .An accessible exploration of belonging and acceptance with a well-developed setting.
—Kirkus Reviews

This take on Burnett’s beloved novel will . . . charm readers enamored with reimagined classics and stories of the rich and famous.
—Booklist

Bubbly, bouncy omniscient narration relays this lively reimagining by Myracle (Night Owl) of A Little Princess. An intersectionally diverse cast, an earnestly rendered redemption arc, and snarky prose inject the source material’s familiar plot beats with contemporary sensibilities.
—Publishers Weekly

Fans of wordplay and the antics of characters like Amelia Bedelia and Pippi Longstocking will find a friend in Penelope. . . . A great read and intended take on A Little Princess that pushes readers to think about who they are, with or without all the riches life offers.
—School Library JournalLauren Myracle is a highly acclaimed author of young adult and middle-grade novels that capture the concerns of ordinary kids. Her best-selling books have sold more than three million copies. She lives in Fort Collins, Colorado, with her large family.