Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

While visiting an ancestor’s grave, Princess Benevolence’s mother and uncle are killed and her father disappears. Her aunt Sophia is determined to mold Ben, the new heir, into a proper, and thinner, princess while trying to protect the kingdom from outside threats. Ben refuses to be malleable and is locked in a chamber where she discovers a hidden wizard’s room where she begins to teach herself magic. With her newfound knowledge, Ben flees the castle and faces numerous dangers while finding the truth about her father and gaining a new understanding of herself.

Murdock, author of Dairy Queen, has scored another touchdown in this fantasy about a strong-willed girl who refuses to conform to the dictates of her culture. As the head-strong Ben moves from one unpleasant situation to another, she finally comes to terms with both herself and her haughty aunt. Laugh-out-loud moments, romance, and a heroine determined to be herself will grab readers right from the start.