By Contributing Reviewer FalconX, Age 11

Everyone knows that the Crown Prince Sebastian is hosting a ball to look for the perfect bride. Young ladies squeal over invitations, shops are selling out of ball gowns, and seamstresses are working day and night to keep up with the demand. Frances, a seamstress, is asked to design a dress for Lady Sophia, who is in need of a dress for the ball. However, Lady Sophia is in a bad mood, and she says something to Frances: "Make me look like the devil's wench."

Frances, intrigued by this idea, designs a daringly short black dress of thin chiffon and lace, unlike the colorful sweeping skirts of the other ladies at the ball, and her dress is noticed by all. Including the Crown Prince Sebastian, hidden behind a curtain. Secretly, the prince dreams of wearing something like that.

Frances is offered the chance of a lifetime by Sebastian's personal assistant. She doesn't realize the person she's designing for is a boy, much less the Crown Prince. During the day, Sebastian plays the charming prince, finding a bride, while at night, he goes out in secret in dresses and a wig; and Paris knows him as Lady Crystallia, the "woman" whose dresses and fashion sense is admired everywhere.

Frances is one of the only two people that know Sebastian's secret. But as she keeps designing dresses for the prince, it gets harder and harder to keep his secret. How long can she keep it quiet for her friend before someone finds out?

The Prince and the Dressmaker was a beautifully illustrated graphic novel full of vivid pictures and amazing facial expressions. Jen Wang spins a tale of friendship, courage, and the confidence to embrace one's identity. Frances and Sebastian are characters you will never forget, making you cry and laugh all throughout the book. It mixes suspense, mystery, and just plain fun into the story, making it an unforgettable read. I loved how well the characters' personalities were displayed; through the illustrations, actions, and way they talked. This book explains that no matter who you are, you are free to dress, to act like who you want to be.

I would recommend this book to readers age twelve and up, who enjoy a good, sweet tale set in Paris.

Guest contributor: Sylvie Strawberry (age 14, Massachusetts)

Masha. Her dead mom, her dead grandmother. Her dad who proposed to a woman with a girl named Dani who bit Masha minutes after they met. How was Masha supposed to stay with a family who didn't notice her talents like her grandma had? Was she supposed to sit there and pretend life was all fun and games? That's when Masha remembered the Assistant Wanted ASAP ad in the paper. "Must have skills in hauling, obeying orders, cooking, and cleaning. Magical talent a bonus. Must be good with heights," it read. Then the last part. "Enter Baba Yaga's house to apply." Would Masha do it? Baba Yaga was a witch. An ugly witch who was famous for eating bad kids. She lived in a house on chicken legs, kept eels in jars, had long teeth, and was quiet one minute then extremely wicked and hungry the next. This was exactly what Masha was looking for as an assistant. Even if it meant kissing angry bears, washing a closet full of snakes, disappointing the witch, and finding Dani in Baba Yaga's bathroom, Masha will be tackling her new job no matter what. Join Masha on her journey as you read this spooky, funny, and surprising graphic novel full of wonderful pictures and never ending twists. Put your war face on like Masha as she enters a world full of danger and witchy disaster. And you'll wonder...Was it worth it becoming Baba Yaga's assistant?