Twice Upon a Time

Twice Upon A Time is the first book in a children's series that reimagines classic fairy tales from dual perspectives. The story follows Rapunzel, imprisoned in a tower by a witch due to her parents' past deal, and Prince Benjamin, a young royal who yearns for adventure despite his mother's strict oversight. The narrative alternates between Rapunzel's life in captivity with her newfound companion Sir Kitty and Prince Benjamin's experiences beyond castle walls. Their separate journeys intersect as both characters face challenges that test their courage and determination. This fresh take on a familiar tale incorporates elements of friendship, family obligations, and self-discovery. The story explores how young people navigate between duty and personal dreams, while adding new dimensions to the traditional fairy tale framework.

Readers note this is a lighter, more humorous entry in the Twice Upon a Time series compared to the previous books. Young readers (ages 8-12) connect with the parallel fairy tale storylines and appreciate seeing both Rapunzel and Prince Benjamin's perspectives. Liked: - Fresh take on the classic Rapunzel story - Humor throughout, especially witty dialogue - Strong character development of both protagonists - Appropriate content level for middle grade readers - Messages about independence and finding one's path Disliked: - Slower pacing in middle sections - Some found the dual narratives confusing - Less dramatic tension than other books in series - "Too predictable" mentioned in several reviews Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (5,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (180+ reviews) Common Sense Media: 4/5 stars Multiple readers highlighted the book works well as a standalone story, even for those unfamiliar with the series. Parent reviewers frequently note it sparked good discussions with their children about perspective and empathy.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine A curse of obedience forces a young girl to reclaim control of her destiny in this fairy tale retelling that balances sacrifice with independence.

The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer Two siblings enter a world of fairy tales through a magical book and encounter well-known characters whose stories connect in unexpected ways.

Half Upon a Time by James Riley A reluctant hero named Jack meets a girl from our world who might be a lost princess, launching them into a quest across familiar fairy tale territories.

The Wide-Awake Princess by E. D. Baker A princess immune to magic must rescue her cursed sister while navigating through interconnected fairy tale kingdoms and challenging traditional enchantments.

The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy Four princes charming band together on a quest that reveals the untold stories behind their fairy tale adventures and redefines their roles as heroes.

🌟 The book is part of a larger series called "Twice Upon a Time," where each book reimagines classic fairy tales through dual perspectives 🏰 Wendy Mass wrote this novel after extensive research into medieval castle life and historical tower construction methods to create authentic story details 📚 Mass has written over 25 books for young readers, with her works translated into 20 different languages worldwide 🎭 The original Rapunzel tale was first published by the Brothers Grimm in 1812, though earlier versions date back to 17th century Italy ✨ The book's innovative structure of alternating perspectives influenced several subsequent middle-grade fairy tale retellings, helping establish a new trend in children's literature