Beauty and Bernice

A fearless skateboarder
A quirky princess
Two very different girls and …
the summer that was almost a fairy tale.

Twelve-year-old skateboarder Bernice Baransky is comfortable with her skater grunge look—a look she’s had since she traded in her childhood princess dress-up outfits for a skateboard. Bernice is the only girl at Porchtown Skate Park who can pop an ollie and ride the rails. She’d love to impress Wyatt Anderson, a skater who calls her Dude, but that would require actually talking to him, and Bernice can’t seem to do more than mumble when he’s around.

Bernice wonders if she should accept help from a new neighbor, the proper and stuffy Odelia, who is desperate to befriend her. Odelia acts like a fairy-tale princess, and insists that Bernice will benefit from the lessons written in her fancy book: ODELIA’S GUIDE TO THE SOCIAL GRACES. But Bernice can’t be seen hanging out with a princess at the skate park, the camp where she volunteers, or anywhere around town because that is just not cool. Bernice may let Odelia smooth out her “rough edges,” but that crazy princess better ditch her gowns and tiaras, or people will talk.

Cruise into this hilarious story that’s full of friendship, thrills, adventure, and heart. Enjoy the ride.

“I loved Beauty and Bernice SOOOOOO much! I loved this book because I, like Bernice, love skateboarding. I found this book hilarious in some parts, but moving and gripping in others. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves skateboarding, princesses and mysteries that leave you on the edge of your seat. I rate this book a definite five stars.” ~ 10-Year-Old Goodreads Reviewer

“Readers will enjoy their charming adventure from the skate park to Smile Academy, a summer camp for kids with Down syndrome. A sweet tale with wisdom and heart.” ~ Literary Soirée 

“What a fun and unique book! This book is lighthearted and humorous and I would recommend it to 3rd and 4th graders or 8-10 year old readers. It’s a great middle grade book because it focuses mostly on the theme of friendship with a light sprinkle of boy drama.” ~ Elena Russell / Goodreads

“Beauty and Bernice is about Odelia and Bernice. Odelia is a princess who wants to help Bernice, a skateboarding tomboy, do lady-like things like poise, posture, manners, and “oopsies” like unexpected burps and spilled soda. I liked when Nancy Viau put in things girls need to know: LIKE HOW TO TALK TO BOYS!!!!! The twist at the end made so much sense and was really funny. I think girls aged 10-14 will like reading this book. A definite 5 stars!!! (In the above review, my daughter didn’t even mention that she’s read the book five time in the past few weeks since getting it.) ~12-Year-Old and Her Mom

“A feel-good modern fairy tale of a summer filled with adventure and discovery. This book will keep you smiling and eagerly turning pages until the very end. Fresh, charming, and delightful, this story is ‘made of awesome.'” ~ Darlene Beck Jacobson, Author and Blogger

Beauty and Bernice

By Nancy Viau

Schiffer Publishing
ISBN-13: 978-0764355806