This twist on “Sleeping Beauty” stars Harriet Hamsterbone, an atypical princess. She’s good at some traditional hamster princess skills like checkers and fractions, but is abysmal at others, like looking “ethereal” and being “melancholy.” Harriet would much rather battle dragons or ogrecats and enter jousting matches with her trusty riding quail, Mumfrey. When her parents reveal that Harriet was cursed by the wicked fairy, Ratshade, at birth and is fated to fall deeply asleep when she cuts herself on a hamster wheel on her 12th birthday, clever Harriet sees a fabulous loophole. She is invincible until then. The curse must keep her alive until she turns 12. Harriet and Mumfrey set out a numerous dangerous challenges and find great success. On the fated day, unexpected allies and Harriet’s stereotype-crushing attitude ultimately save the day. Illustrations and text bubble asides successfully complement the traditional prose in this humorous tale of a strong and unconventional heroine. (Ages 8–12)