by
Shannon Hale
Kindle Edition, 336 pages
Published December 1st 2008 by BLOOMSBURY USA/WALKER (first published 2005)
ASIN: B002UM5BNM
Literary awards: Newbery Honor (2006), Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award Nominee (2008), Sunshine State Young Readers Grade 6-8 Nominee (2007)
image,book blurb and author bio courtesy goodreads
About the book:
Miri lives on a mountain where, for generations, her ancestors have quarried stone and lived a simple life. Then word comes that the king's priests have divined her small village the home of the future princess. Miri, along with all eligible girls of her village, are sent to an academy to learn how to become a princess. At the end of the year the Prince will arrive and select his bride from the candidates.
About the Author:
Shannon Hale is the author of six award-winning young adult novels, including the bestselling Newbery Honor book Princess Academy. Austenland is her first book for adults. She and her husband are co-writing a series of graphic novels, and live with their four small children in Salt Lake City, Utah.
My thoughts:
Shannon Hale is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I love her simple, original and imaginative story lines. Princess Academy offers the opportunity for every girl in the village to make the most of herself as she prepares to meet the Prince. Miri is the main character of the story and it is through her that the reader becomes acquainted with the unique life style of the village, its inhabitants and the foreign environment of the Academy. Through Miri we also become acquainted with the girls at the academy and the rather intimidating head mistress. This is a delightful story, that is not all sugary and sweet like most princess stories. I like Miri, she is practical and analytical. She has a quick mind and a kind heart. This story would be a great read-a-loud to a daughter (or grand-daughter). But be sure to finish, the reader does not find out who the princess is until the very end of the book!
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11 comments:
Sounds like a wonderful book Kaye.
I'm glad the storyline goes all the way to the end. That helps keep up the suspense.
It's an intriguing premise.
Hey, I love your new look!
I think most girls would LOVE to learn to be a princess. I guess it's too late for me, eh?
She always impresses me too :) Great review.
She was recently featured on The Writer's Almanac and I jotted her name down but haven't had a chance to look for her in the library. Something to look forward to!
Sounds good, I must check out this author, I don't have daughters, but there may be granddaughters someday.
Now that I've "discovered" Shannon Hale I also want to read all of her books. I really, really loved the main character in Book Of a Thousand Days. Princess Academy is one I have on reserve at the library and I can tell from your review that I'm going to like that one too. I'm reading one of her graphic novels Calamity Jack and it is, of course, also amazing. I'm so glad you introduced me to Shannon Hale. She has certainly enriched my reading life.
I wonder if I could read this aloud with my almost 11 year old?
My daughter picked this book out but found she was too old for it. I should read it myself. It sounds like an interesting premise, and I've heard such good things about the author.
How did I miss this one?? Anyhoo...this is my favorite so far of her books and I always give it to the girl who wants to read a great book with a wonderful female character. The great thing is they always come back for more!!!
I think I would have loved this book when I was a young girl!
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