Thorn In Her Side — Jane B. Mason; Sarah Hines Stephens

Briar Rose is in a prickly predicament. Can she keep from getting stung?

Nobody is surprised when Rose lands the part of Princess Perfecta in the school play. At first Rose bristles at once again being cast as perfect, but soon she throws herself into her role--especially her scenes opposite Nettle, who plays the Scary Fairy. Everyone else is wary of sour little Nettle, but Rose is impressed. Nettle is a brilliant actor who always stays in character--even offstage he gives Rose withering looks and acts like he'd really like to curse her. It's almost as if Nettle actually is an evil fairy with a special grudge against Rose....