Born to Rule by Kathryn Lasky is the first of the Camp Princess books. Camp Princess is a "summer" camp where princesses go for holidays. Princesses are grouped into different turrets and there is campwide competition.

I put summer in quotes because the enchanted forest has its own ideas of what seasons should come when and for how long, making the scheduling of certain events problematic (but not impossible).

Alicia, the focus of the book (though I would argue there isn't a clear protagonist in this ensemble) believes her turret is haunted. She's also having trouble with the song bird competition. Actually, most every princess in her group, are having one problem or another with certain activities, and that's what makes the book so much fun.

Rather than this being a book filled with homogenous princesses, except for the lead, who is either a diamond in the rough, or some sort of oddball, the camp is populated with wide ranging cultures and personalities. Although the camp director and her staff try to mould these princesses into one pre-conceived ideal, none of the major characters fall into this trap beyond what is needed for the on-going competition.

While the plot is a pretty typical summer camp tween book, the fantasy and world building make it something special. I found it humorous and charming. ( )

This was an easy read, and an amusing way to pass a bit of time. This story had lots of little storylines running through it, as well as the main one. I am attracted to the idea of ‘camp’, and all the little details the author chose to add. Nothing rankles me more than a story with a theme, but then it has no details to support it. Like it could be set anywhere, anytime. I think it is the thought that an author puts in that makes all the difference. I like that the princess’s sleep in turrets, take classes in everything from swimming to make-up to embroidery. They hunt and train songbirds. Their camp ‘councilors’ are other princesses, duchesses and other nobility. They interact with ghosts and witches. Even the camp is located in a magical place, where seasons can last hours or days. It is obvious the author took lots of time and care crafting this story. Even the diversity of the princess’s and the clique feel was an interesting touch, and added some realism. After all, isn’t that what everyone wants, is to be accepted? I would recommend this book to middle grade girls, especially those who like fantasy. ( )

Reviewed by Carrie Spellman for TeensReadToo.com

Princess Alicia has never been far from the company of her own family and servants. Now she's away from them at Camp Princess. A place full of new people, new experiences, and constant surprises. Her turret-mates are completely different from anyone she's ever known. Princess Gundersnap is frumpy and blunt, and Princess Kristen is a stylish tomboy, whose garments consist mostly of animals she's hunted. Not to mention the other Princesses, some of whom aren't very friendly.

As if the other Princesses weren't enough to deal with, there are the activities; needlepoint, swimming in the moat, makeup (with a very nasty duchess), falconry, lawn tennis, canoing, sailing, archery, jewel crafts, catching a songbird and teaching it to sing. Plus, all outdoor activities are weather dependent, and it can change from summer to winter in two minutes on any given day. Princess Camp is hard to keep up with!

The appearance of a ghost comes as a bit of a surprise to Princess Alicia. At first she just thinks she's dreaming. It will take help from all of her turret-mates to solve the mystery, and put the ghost to rest. Not to mention getting her songbird to sing!

BORN TO RULE is a light, sweet story, well suited to younger girls. It felt like it traveled in fits and spurts, but that might just have been the weather! At the end of the story the point of view switches seamlessly from Princess Alicia to Princess Gundersnap. Which tells me that our Princesses have much more adventure in store for them! ( )