The Accidental Princess by Jen Storer

Penguin, 2011. ISBN 978 0 670 074969.
(Age 10+) The Accidental Princess brings to life the magical world of fairies, imps and talking creatures. It brings forward the possibility of a normal child being a princess in a magical world and young girls being heroes, relying on their wits instead of turning to adults.
Matilda and her older sister, Iris, are home for the school holidays. The girls do not get along and as a result Matilda hides Iris's lucky penny to get back at her. The consequence of this action opens up access to the mysterious hedge - a place the girls were always warned about. Matilda is seen as the princess who will save the fey world and with the help of her sister and advice from their nanny and the gardener, the girls battle nasty imps, disgusting toads and an evil witch queen.
Will Iris succumb to the influence of the witch? Why do Nanny and Joseph know so much about this magical world? Can Matilda be brave enough to save the day?
The Accidental Princess is aimed at girls who are independent readers aged 10+. The text is small but the chapters are short and descriptive and the further you read, the more interesting it becomes. The girls meet interesting characters - my favourite is the hedge troll who only likes it when you talk in questions - and learn to become friends and trust each other.
Kylie Kempster