# The False Prince

**Author:** Jennifer A. Nielsen
**Grade range:** Grades 5–9
**Age range:** 10–14
**First published:** 2012
**Page count:** 342
**Genre:** Middle Grade Fantasy
**ISBN-13:** `9781407135298`
**ISBN-10:** `0545284139`
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/book/the-false-prince
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## About this book

Jennifer A. Nielsen's 2012 fantasy opens with a nobleman buying four orphan boys and forcing them to compete to impersonate the kingdom's long-lost prince. Defiant, quick-witted Sage plays a dangerous game of deception in a court full of plots — and the truth he is hiding is more surprising than the role he is being made to play.

## Themes

- identity
- adventure
- power
- loyalty
- courage

## Where this book is assigned

### Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award

- **recommended** · 5th grade · Arizona — [source: Arizona Library Association — Grand Canyon Reader Award (student-choice; Intermediate + Tween divisions; annual since 1977)](https://www.azla.org/page/GCRAaboutpage)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Arizona — [source: Arizona Library Association — Grand Canyon Reader Award (student-choice; Intermediate + Tween divisions; annual since 1977)](https://www.azla.org/page/GCRAaboutpage)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Arizona — [source: Arizona Library Association — Grand Canyon Reader Award (student-choice; Intermediate + Tween divisions; annual since 1977)](https://www.azla.org/page/GCRAaboutpage)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · Arizona — [source: Arizona Library Association — Grand Canyon Reader Award (student-choice; Intermediate + Tween divisions; annual since 1977)](https://www.azla.org/page/GCRAaboutpage)

### California Young Reader Medal

- **recommended** · 5th grade · California — [source: California Young Reader Medal — statewide student-choice program sponsored by CRA, CSLA, CLA & CATE (Intermediate/Middle School/Young Adult divisions; annual since 1974)](https://californiayoungreadermedal.org/)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · California — [source: California Young Reader Medal — statewide student-choice program sponsored by CRA, CSLA, CLA & CATE (Intermediate/Middle School/Young Adult divisions; annual since 1974)](https://californiayoungreadermedal.org/)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · California — [source: California Young Reader Medal — statewide student-choice program sponsored by CRA, CSLA, CLA & CATE (Intermediate/Middle School/Young Adult divisions; annual since 1974)](https://californiayoungreadermedal.org/)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · California — [source: California Young Reader Medal — statewide student-choice program sponsored by CRA, CSLA, CLA & CATE (Intermediate/Middle School/Young Adult divisions; annual since 1974)](https://californiayoungreadermedal.org/)

### Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards

- **recommended** · 5th grade · Louisiana — [source: State Library of Louisiana / Louisiana Center for the Book — Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards (student-choice, grade-band shortlists; annual)](https://library.la.gov/services/for-the-public/louisiana-readers-choice/)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Louisiana — [source: State Library of Louisiana / Louisiana Center for the Book — Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards (student-choice, grade-band shortlists; annual)](https://library.la.gov/services/for-the-public/louisiana-readers-choice/)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Louisiana — [source: State Library of Louisiana / Louisiana Center for the Book — Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards (student-choice, grade-band shortlists; annual)](https://library.la.gov/services/for-the-public/louisiana-readers-choice/)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · Louisiana — [source: State Library of Louisiana / Louisiana Center for the Book — Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards (student-choice, grade-band shortlists; annual)](https://library.la.gov/services/for-the-public/louisiana-readers-choice/)

### Nebraska Golden Sower Award

- **recommended** · 5th grade · Nebraska — [source: Nebraska Library Association — Golden Sower Award (student-choice; Honeybee grades 3-5 + Meadowlark grades 6-9; annual since 1981)](https://nebraskalibraries.org/GoldenSower)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Nebraska — [source: Nebraska Library Association — Golden Sower Award (student-choice; Honeybee grades 3-5 + Meadowlark grades 6-9; annual since 1981)](https://nebraskalibraries.org/GoldenSower)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Nebraska — [source: Nebraska Library Association — Golden Sower Award (student-choice; Honeybee grades 3-5 + Meadowlark grades 6-9; annual since 1981)](https://nebraskalibraries.org/GoldenSower)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · Nebraska — [source: Nebraska Library Association — Golden Sower Award (student-choice; Honeybee grades 3-5 + Meadowlark grades 6-9; annual since 1981)](https://nebraskalibraries.org/GoldenSower)

### Oklahoma Sequoyah Children's Book Award

- **recommended** · 5th grade · Oklahoma — [source: Oklahoma Library Association — Sequoyah Book Award, Children's (gr 3-5) + Intermediate (gr 6-8) divisions (student-choice; since 1959); winner roll 1959-2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoyah_Book_Award)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Oklahoma — [source: Oklahoma Library Association — Sequoyah Book Award, Children's (gr 3-5) + Intermediate (gr 6-8) divisions (student-choice; since 1959); winner roll 1959-2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoyah_Book_Award)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Oklahoma — [source: Oklahoma Library Association — Sequoyah Book Award, Children's (gr 3-5) + Intermediate (gr 6-8) divisions (student-choice; since 1959); winner roll 1959-2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoyah_Book_Award)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · Oklahoma — [source: Oklahoma Library Association — Sequoyah Book Award, Children's (gr 3-5) + Intermediate (gr 6-8) divisions (student-choice; since 1959); winner roll 1959-2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoyah_Book_Award)

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