Princess Academy

Bibliography
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Hale, Shannon. 2005. PRINCESS ACADEMY. New York: Bloomsbury. ISBN 1582349932.

Plot Summary

Miri, a young girl from the territory of Mount Eskel in Danland has always felt left out and like a burden on her community. Unable to work in the linder quarries with the rest of the village, she spends her days tending to goats, and admiring the mountain flower she was named for, until everything changes. All girls between fourteen and eighteen from Mount Eskel are sent to the Princess Academy, and one will be chosen as the next princess of Danland. Miri is determined to learn as much as she can, and make her family and village proud, even if it means leaving the mountain she loves so much. Miri proves herself to be the brightest girl in the group, as she learns more about the world around her, and herself. Many obstacles are overcome, and bonds are built, but in the end, Miri’s heart realizes she is not meant to be the next Princess of Danland, but rather to improve the mountain community she loves so much.

Critical Analysis

This work of low fantasy is engaging and consistent. The reader can easily empathize with Miri, and root for her as she stands up to the unfair tutor, or worse, the threatening band of bandits that invade the academy. The supernatural “quarry speech” used by villagers is presented in a believable way, and plays a strong role in Miri’s development as a character. The setting of Mount Eskel is well described, and it is easy to visualize the gleaming linder stone and miri flowers as Miri explores the mountain. The theme that even the little people can accomplish big things is prominent throughout this story accompanied by the importance of following your heart.

Review Excerpt

2006 Newberry Honor Book

Kirkus Reviews – “There are many pleasures to this satisfying tale: a precise lyricism to the language and a rhythm to the story that takes its tropes from many places, but its heart from ours...[A]n unalloyed joy."

Connections

*This book is geared towards young female readers.
*Access Shannon Hale’s group reading guide at http://www.squeetus.com/stage/academy.pdf
*Other books by Shannon Hale
ENNA BURNING. ISBN 1582349061.
THE GOOSE GIRL. ISBN 1582349908.
RIVER SECRETS. ISBN 1599902931.