The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Author: Deya Muniz
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Format: Book
Publication Date: May 9, 2023
Grade Level: 7th and up
Category: LGBTQ+
The law of Kingdom Fromage forbids women from inheriting family fortunes. So when Lady Camembert's father passes away, she has no choice but to disguise herself as a man, move to the capital city, and start life over as Count Camembert. But when Cam falls deeply in love with Princess Brie, she's not sure if she can keep her secret, or if she even wants to. The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich (TPATGCS) has received many accolades, including making the ALA Rainbow List, the 2024 ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, and the YALSA 2024 Great Graphic Novel for Teens award.
Setting. TPATGCS takes place in the kingdom of Fromage, a cheese-obsessed kingdom where even the character's names are based on varieties of cheese. The setting seems largely Regency-era inspired, particularly the architecture and clothing, but has many contemporary elements, such as the characters talking and behaving like modern-day young adults. The anachronisms give the setting a quirky, lighthearted quality that fits well with the humorous elements of the story.
Characters. The main cast consists of fun, quirky characters. They are mostly believable, although some character traits seem to be played for comedic affect. For example, Cam is oblivious to the point where she is ignorant of Brie's feelings for her long after most other characters have figured it out. As a romance story, the natural conclusion of their arcs is discovering that they want to spend the rest of their lives together, complete with a grand, cheese-themed gesture. Brie and Cam must overcome various misunderstandings to reach this ending.
Mood. The mood of the book is bright, lighthearted, and funny. This is largely due to the colorful, emotive illustrations. The comedy is often displayed threw the characters over-the-top expressions and body language, such as Cam dramatically throwing herself on every piece of furniture in a room. Overall, the author has done an excellent job at creating a silly, feel-good romantic comedy.
References:
Muniz, D. (2023). The princess and the grilled cheese sandwich. Little, Brown and Company.
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