PRINCESS JUPER OF THE ANJU

The second book in a middle-grade adventure series for girls featuring thirteen-year-old Princess Juniper who learns what it means to rule a country.

Juniper may have secured her kingdom, but danger – and adventure – are far from over.

The land known as Queen's Basin is securely under Juniper's rule, and the time has come to focus on saving her father's kingdom. But before she can return to Torr, Juniper must find her subjects' missing horses, which were taken by a tribe of the Anju who live in the Hourglass Mountains – the very tribe her mother once belonged to.

Juniper arrives at the Anju settlement just as the tribe members are about to begin ritual trials to select their next leader. Juniper, whose mother had been next in line for the Anju throne, throws her own hat in the ring. As she competes, however, she must answer the question that's been tugging at her heart: Does she want to rule the Anju because they are her mother's people, or does she have less noble intentions in mind?

Juniper must prove to everyone – especially herself – that she is a brave and strong ruler who puts all her subjects first.

This book series is for girls who love climbing trees in their party dresses and running races in their Mary Janes. It's for girls who know that wearing hair ribbons doesn't stop someone from being strong, and liking perfume and jewelry doesn't mean you can't be smart. Girls who don't even know they're looking for role models will find one in Juniper.

Ammi-Joan Paquette (www.ajpaquette.com) is the author of Princess Juniper of the Hourglass, as well as many picture books and novels, including The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Fairies and The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Mermaids. She lives in Boston with her family, but often wishes of a country of her own. @joanpaq