Julia isn't like the other students at the Rosewood School. She takes a bike to school, and goes home every night to her mom and her cat in a run-down apartment. While the others obsess over a visit from some princess, Julia worries about keeping a roof over their heads. Then Princess Carina shows up at Rosewood, and Julia finds her answer.< P>For ages 10-14.< P>Available only in Young Adult 3. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Alternately narrated by two completely opposite teens-a princess and a down-to-earth student-this story is told in "breezy, Princess Diaries-style lingo," according to PW. Ages 10-14. (May) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr 7 Up-Julia is a poor scholarship student at the exclusive Rosewood Academy. Carina is the Crown Princess of the tiny European country of Vineland. Bored with ball gowns, embassy parties, and state dinners, she's prepared to do anything to sneak away from her constant chaperones and go to the Toadmuffin concert during her royal visit to Los Angeles. The only thing these teens have in common is their remarkably similar looks. Carina's best friend comes up with a plan: pay Julia to go to the embassy ball. The scheme goes awry, though, and Carina wakes up halfway to El Paso on the Toadmuffin tour bus, while Julia falls in love with the princess's boyfriend. Carina and Julia are both believable characters; one is self-absorbed, while the other is practical but desperate. The story is told from both viewpoints, and there is no indication when the narrative shifts, which can be momentarily confusing. The plot develops quickly and flows steadily toward the predictable but happy ending. A light story generously peppered with modern-day references to movie stars, musical styles, and teenage slang, this novel is perfect for fans of Meg Cabot's "Princess Diaries" series (HarperCollins).-Heather E. Miller, Homewood Public Library, AL Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr. 6-8. Once you accept the premise that two unrelated 16-year-old girls can look enough like each other to fool everyone but their mothers, this ends up being a rollicking good read. When the bored and overprotected Crown Princess Carina of Vineland comes to L.A. on a goodwill trip, she meets the sensible but poor Julia, who just happens to resemble her almost exactly. They hatch a plan to give Julia a princessworthy makeover (and $10,000) in time to take Carina's place at an important ball, so that Carina can meet the punk-rock musician she's been corresponding with via e-mail. The usual misunderstandings and misadventures occur, told in alternating chapters by Carina and Julia in light and funny teenspeak. Although the plot is pure fairy tale, the humor is incisive, the characters of the two girls are well drawn, and the touch of sweet, G-rated romance will thrill the intended audience. The glossy photos on the jacket and the breezy Cinderella story will attract fans of Meg Cabot's The Princess Diaries books. --Eva Mitnick Copyright 2003 Booklist From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.