BOOKS

Being plucked from life as an orphan and handed the chance to become royalty sounds pretty sweet, right?

Or maybe not. Just ask Sage of Jennifer A. Nielsen’s novel The False Prince. Fourteen-year-old Sage is snatched from his impoverished life at an orphanage, along with three other boys, and offered the chance to compete for the crown—with one tiny caveat, of course.

Only one boy can win…and he must fight to the death to do it.
Sage and the other boys quickly learn that the royal lifestyle comes at a very high price. When it’s every boy for himself in the struggle to survive, the contest grows fierce.

We definitely expect cutthroat competition in this royal battle…but at home, in real life, every one of us has to deal with evil opponents. Wanna put on your best game face? Read on for The False Prince-approved tips…

• Make “fun” your main mantra. Whether it’s a friendly game of hoops with your bro or a make-it-or-break-it cheer comp, always make fun your #1 priority.
• Go for the Golden Rule. You already know this one: Treat others like you want to be treated. If another team’s tactics are downright dirty, resist the urge to play their way. Even if you win, it won’t feel good!
• Use haters as motivators. You’re normally a stellar student, but you bombed a big history test—and a classmate is making sure everyone knows it. Instead of snapping back, focus your efforts on studying up for next time. You’ll leave ‘em speechless.

Will Sage survive the treacherous tasks that lie ahead of him? Find out! CLICK HERE to download your free excerpt of The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen.

Have any crazy competition horror stories? Any tips on how you handled the sitch? Post them in the comments below!

by GL | 2/1/2016