The Diary of a Disastrous Princess (O Diário de uma Princesa Desastrada) is a delightful book by the Brazilian author Maidy Lacerda, clearly aimed at younger audiences.
I would say the ideal age range is between 10 and 12 years old—a stage where imagination is still vivid, but readers are also beginning to look for relatable characters and meaningful stories.
Why I Picked It Up
This book was actually a gift for my daughter. As I’ve mentioned on the blog before, I make a point of reading (and watching) the same things she does. It helps us connect, have conversations, and stay attuned to her interests. So naturally, I added this one to my reading list.
First Impressions (and a Surprise)
I’ll admit—I expected this to be a bit of a sacrifice. Magical kingdoms, fairies, and princesses are not usually my kind of story.
At the beginning, it felt exactly how I feared: a bit boring and not really my style. But I kept going… and I’m genuinely glad I did.
A Relatable and Lovable Princess
What really makes this book stand out is its main character. The princess is fun, interesting, and—most importantly—very relatable. She feels like a real 12-year-old girl rather than a distant fairy-tale figure.
She isn’t popular. She doesn’t have many friends. And that’s exactly why she works so well as a role model. At that age, many kids feel awkward, out of place, or “not enough.” Seeing a character who shares those feelings can be comforting and reassuring—they’re not alone.
So, this story goes hand in hand with books like The Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but with lots of magic and meaningful acts of courage and resilience.
Creativity, Magic, and a Strong Plot
The story itself is surprisingly creative. While it does include magical elements, they are handled in a charming and “cute” way rather than overwhelming the narrative.
There’s also a solid plot with an unexpected twist. For a good portion of the book, you really don’t see what’s coming, which keeps things engaging not just for kids, but for adults reading along as well.
The supporting characters are interesting and add depth to the story, making the world feel more alive.
That Ending… Something Feels Off
The ending left me with a slight sense of discomfort—in a good way. There’s something about the "new queen" that doesn’t sit quite right with me. She seems kind on the surface, but her moving into the palace raises some questions.
It feels like there’s more beneath the surface, and I suspect this will be explored in a second book. It definitely leaves you curious about what comes next.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I think this is a great book for kids. It combines relatable characters, creativity, and just enough mystery to keep readers engaged.
I also strongly believe it deserves to be translated into more languages—especially English—so it can reach a wider audience. It’s the kind of story that encourages imagination, empathy, and a bit of magical dreaming.
And, I believe, that’s exactly what young readers need.
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