Teamwork is essential in most aspects of life whether it is a sports team or a project, teamwork and focus can help beat anything.

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If you have siblings, you know how annoying they can be. Try being Rose, the oldest princess of the kingdom of Westfalin, and having 11 of them. Insert a handsome curious Gardner named Galen, and an evil magical being named the King Under Stone, who forces her and her sisters to dance every night and angering her father, the King, by stumping him with the mystery of their worn dancing shoes.

We all know the story of the 12 Dancing Princesses but Jessica Day George puts a new spin on it. Unbeknownst to them, Galen follows the girls every night to the evil king's palace and collects evidence to show the King and the terrifying Archbishop Angier who is convinced the girls are witches. As the gaggle of girls flee for the final time, Galen helps kill the King and his sons and locks the gate to the kingdom forever thus breaking the spell and freeing the girls. Now Galen does most of this however he gains help along the way......

THEME!

Old Hag
"It's an invisibility cloak, boy. Try it."(13)

" She pulled forth a large ball of white wool and a smaller one of black' the black is coarse and strong. The white is soft, but warm and strong in its own way. One can bind, the other protect. Black like an iron chain, white like a swan floating on water.'" (14)

Walter Vogel, Old Palace Garden Worker

'Walter presented Galen with a sprig of surprisingly green leaves. A few pale green berries clung to the stem as well.'"What is that?" Galen leaned close and sniffed but couldn't detect an odor. "Nightshade," Walter replied.'(132)
"Pin a sprig under your collar and it will protect you from enchantment."(132)
"Nightshade will clear the enchantments from your eyes and enable you to see the truth. And basil wards off evil." (170)
"Keep them handy, you never know what you'll have need of, when you're in the palace."(171)

OTHER PALACE STAFF TEAMWORK DONATIONS

• Anne(falsely imprisoned governess) gave Galen information about the late Queen Maude's diaries of her bargains with the King Under Stone and a history book. "A history, moldy with age that told the story of the King Under Stone's dealings and how he was cast down. And a diary of Maude's detailing her dealings with him. They were hidden in the library." (191)
• The cook also helped out by boiling Galen's knitted black chain out of the wool that was strong like iron with nightshade and basil." You want me to boil these? Together? Alright, I'll do it." (200,201)

It wasn't just palace staff that aided Galen and the girls. Rose helped by standing up to the King Under Stone. " I will not stay here, she said hating the tremor in her voice."(228)
"We dance then we go home. You're bound by contract even as we are."(228)

The final part of this book where teamwork and focus is really shown, is when the princesses and Galen finally seal the gates to the underground realm and escape forever. The second oldest princess, Lily, is an expert with a gun. She and Galen shoot the Princes Under Stone and they stab them with silver knitting needles. Meanwhile, Rose and the rest of the "older set" shepherd everyone away. Galen seals the gates with the help of everyone, and they all escape.
(245-252)

So they escape the evil King Under Stone with their teamwork but before they are done, they have to defeat one more enemy. The Bishop Angier, who was conducting the investigation of the princess's witchcraft, is a horrible man who takes control and ruins their lives above ground. Thanks to the King, and the kindly Bishop Schelker, he gets punished for his ways, "His Holiness has long been concerned with your overzealous methods in investigating witchcraft and that you were not his first choice, but him and the second were indisposed quite suddenly. This made him suspicious. In addition to making certain that the King and his daughters are treated with respect, he asks me to keep an eye on you and to put a halt to matters if I think you have overstepped your bounds, and I believe that you have. Guards escort His Excellency to his rooms and make sure he stays there." -Bishop Schelker (259-260)

Now as we all know fairy tales have a happy ending. This one does too. *SPOILER ALERT*Rose and Galen get married and Lily's long lost love, Heinrich ( Galen's cousin), returns back from war and they reconcile and eventually get married as well. The interdict that was placed under the kingdom while the witchcraft investigation was going on is lifted and all is well in the kingdom of Westfalin.

In conclusion, never count anyone out because of job or status, because you never know what they can contribute. Also, be kind to everyone, even an old lady you meet on the street. Who knows, you might just get something in return.

THANK YOU