Princess Academy

PRINCESS ACADEMY

By:  Shannon Hale

FIRST SENTENCE

“Miri woke to the sleepy bleating of a goat.”

SUMMARY

from goodreads

Fourteen-year-old Miri lives on a mountain where her ancestors have quarried stone and lived in poverty for generations.  Then just before the first snowfall, a delegation from the lowlands arrives with exciting news.  The king’s priests have divined that her small village is the home of the future princess.  In a year’s time, the prince will come himself and choose his bride from among the girls of the village.  The king’s ministers set up an academy on the mountain, where every girl of age will be sent to learn the skills of a princess.  But there is no way Miri can prepare herself for what lies in store.

REVIEW

It is clear to me why Princess Academy was chosen as a Newbery Honor Book.  This is one of those rare books that has it all – a compelling story, likeable characters, a unique setting, and an unexpected ending.  Oh, what an amazing book!

What first seems to be a typical fairy-tale about a poor girl becoming a princess is anything BUT a typical fairy-tale.  There is WAY more to the story.  I don’t want to give away the plot, so let’s just say that Miri learns much more than how to be a princess.

Shannon Hale did a fantastic job describing the mountain village and the academy.  She also included little songs at the beginning of each chapter.  Some of the songs foreshadowed what would happen in that chapter.  I liked trying to guess what might happen next.

My book blogging friends all agree – Princess Academy is a must read. 

RATING

5        Plot

5        Characters

5        Attention Grabbing

5        Girlie Meter

5        Ending

25      TOTAL

5        STARS (PERFECT)