The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich (A Graphic Novel)

by Deya Muniz

Overview

NATIONAL BESTSELLER!

A  New York Public Library Best Book of 2023  • Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2023  • YALSA 2024 Great Graphic Novel for Teens  • An ALA Rainbow List Pick • 2024 ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
 
"A spectacular, feel-good, comfy romance." —Kirkus Reviews

A nobleman with a secret and a princess on a mission find love—and lots of grilled cheese sandwiches—when they least expect it, in this funny, heartfelt graphic novel rom-com.

Lady Camembert wants to live life on her own terms, without marriage. Well, without marrying a man, that is. But the law of the land is that women cannot inherit. So when her father passes away, she does the only thing she can: She disguises herself as a man and moves to the capital city of the Kingdom of Fromage to start over as Count Camembert.
 
But it’s hard to keep a low profile when the beautiful Princess Brie, with her fierce activism and great sense of fashion, catches her attention. Camembert can’t resist getting to know the princess, but as the two grow closer, will she able to keep her secret?
 
A romantic comedy about mistaken identity, true love, and lots of grilled cheese.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316354127
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	05/09/2023
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	94,476
File size:	100 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

Deya Muniz was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where they grew up watching Pride and Prejudice and reading copious amounts of shojo manga. In 2017, they moved to the United States to pursue a master's degree in sequential art, where they met and fell in love with a wonderful girl who makes delicious grilled cheese sandwiches.

Editorial Reviews

★ 04/03/2023

Count Camembert is on his deathbed when he once more attempts to persuade his fiercely independent daughter, Lady Camembert, to find a husband. Growing anxious about her continuing refusal, he makes one final proposal: “If you are not willing to marry a man... would you be willing to become one?” Upon her father’s death, Cam dismisses all but one servant, Feta; burns her own belongings; and, with her father’s clothing, disguises herself as the new Count Camembert. Accompanied by Feta, Cam moves to the crowded capital city of the Kingdom of Fromage to live in anonymity. Having to avoid public gatherings to mitigate potential scrutiny, Cam chafes against her newly restrictive life and impulsively decides to test her charade on the grandest stage available: a ball hosted by Crown Princess Brie. There, Cam meets and immediately falls head over heels in love with the outspoken princess, but as the two embark on a coy courtship, Cam’s ruse becomes harder to maintain. Cheese puns abound in this delightfully illustrated graphic novel by Muniz, rendered in vividly saturated full-color art. Muniz’s impeccable rom-com instincts and the meticulously balanced high stakes combine to present a tender love story that plays out alongside the girls’ individual struggles navigating society’s limitations on women. Ages 12–up. Agent: Britt Siess, Britt Siess Creative Management. (May)

Publishers Weekly

A National Indie Bestseller
A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year
A YALSA Great Graphic Novel for Teens
An ALA Rainbow List Pick

*"Muniz’s impeccable rom-com instincts and the meticulously balanced high stakes combine to present a tender love story that plays out alongside the girls’ individual struggles navigating society’s limitations on women."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"This charming story is a relatable exploration of questions of identity, honesty, and a journey to self-acceptance."—School Library Journal

"This story is such a joy—a spectacular, feel-good, comfy romance."—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

04/01/2023

Gr 7 Up—Countess Camembert of Gougere's father is deathly ill. She wants to claim her inheritance, but the law states she can only do so if she's married. She has no interest in marrying a man, which her father understands and supports. He suggests she move to Fondue, the capital city, and begin life as "Count Camembert," his son and rightful heir. All goes well until the Count attends a "no furs" ball thrown by the progressive Princess Brie of Fromage. The Count makes a splash—and gets Princess Brie's attention—with a stunning faux fur wrap. They bond over food and fashion and enjoy spending time with each other and Brie's friends, Lady Gorgonzola and Lady Ricotta. As they grow closer, Camembert fears the deception will be discovered, not knowing Brie has questions of her own. Despite having so many cheese-related names, the narrative does not depend on puns. This charming story is a relatable exploration of questions of identity, honesty, and a journey to self-acceptance. Apart from one brown-skinned friend, most characters are pale-skinned and read as white. The art's flowing linework and soft palette bring a dreamy quality to the story. Some manga-influenced touches add energy to scenes with intense emotions. The back story of this book's creation, which does indeed involve a grilled cheese sandwich incident, is just as charming as the book itself. VERDICT This delightful story will appeal to many readers, especially those who enjoy complicated romances.—Carla Riemer

School Library Journal

2023-03-29
A charmingly cheesy fairy-tale romance.

With no legal means of inheriting the family estate after her dear father’s passing, a young woman disguises herself as a man. The newly minted Count Camembert moves to the capital city, Fondue, with trusted servant Feta and tries to keep a low profile. About to go bonkers from boredom, Cam attends a “no-furs” ball hosted by activist Crown Princess Brie. The two immediately collide and bond over fashion. Brie later invites Cam to a private brunch with friends (including delicious cheesy sandwiches) to launch a more targeted cruelty-free fashion event. The two are soon smitten with one another, but Cam knows she can’t get too attached. Eventually, truths come out and more than one heart goes on a roller-coaster ride of emotions. This story is such a joy—a spectacular, feel-good, comfy romance. Olive-skinned Cam, with her flowing black locks, is suave—but also, in Brie’s own words, “an airhead with the attention span of a worm.” In other words, she’s adorable. Brie, with her curly blond bob and pale, rosy skin, is conscientious and beautiful, and she will capture readers’ hearts as quickly as she does Cam’s. Plenty of roses and sparkles à la shōjo or yuri manga and cute, exaggerated facial expressions make the watercolor-style images endearing. The setting is an interesting mix of clothes and architecture that evoke the 18th century along with some modern technology and colloquialisms that add to the humor.

So cute. (Graphic romance. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews