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Princess Academy (Princess Academy #1)

by Shannon Hale (Goodreads Author)

4.03 · rating details · 32,567 ratings · 4,919 reviews

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. In a year's time, the prince himself will come and choose his bride from among the girls of the village. The king's ministers set up an academy on the mountain, an...more

Paperback, 336 pages

Published April 17th 2007 by Bloomsbury USA Children's Books (first published January 1st 2005)

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Community Reviews

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Feb 19, 2008

Beth rated it

So the latest books I’ve read … I haven’t exactly enjoyed. I mean, I do finish them and everything, so they must have been okay, but it’s not like I was ever reaching for my book multiple times a day, binging on pages. I’ve kind of missed that.

But all that changed with Princess Academy! Seriously — I loved this book.

(I should probably only admit this through the relative anonymity of the Internet. Seriously … Princess Academy? What am I, eleven?! Oh well.) :-)

...more

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Jun 29, 2007

HT Goodwill rated it

Recommends it for: Women and girls from the age of adolescence and up, those who enjoy adolescent fiction

Shelves: children_and_adolescents

Overall, the book was well written and appropriate for a young adolescent audience. It was certainly not written for someone in my demographic!

I enjoyed a number of aspects of this book and also a few disappointements. Specifically,

1) The resolution of the primary conflict (who gets to be the princess) felt too much like a plot-device (I can't say more without giving away the ending) that the author threw into the story to avoid a painful conflict between the characters...more

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Oct 17, 2009

Tatiana rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: those who love fairy tales and children's books

Shelves: 2009, fairy-tales

Sometimes you just want to take a break from endless angst and sexual tension of currently popular both adult and YA books and read something light and inoffensive. "Princess Academy" is an excellent choice for this purpose. Although this is an obviously children's book, it is not silly or overly simplistic. The fairy tale is very imaginative and teaches many valuable lessons (importance of education is among many of them), but never in a preachy way.

I thoroughly enjoyed t...more

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Aug 21, 2010

Shannon rated it

Shelves: 2010, childrens, fantasy

The linder quarries on Mount Eskel make for hard labour, but the villagers who mine it wouldn't trade their life for anything. The linder stone takes skill to extract in whole blocks from the mountainside, and its qualities enable them to converse without speaking.

Fourteen year old Miri wants nothing so much as to join her father and older sister in the quarry. But she's small, and her father has forbidden her to set foot in the quarry. Instead, Miri tends the goats; teases her child...moreThe linder quarries on Mount Eskel make for hard labour, but the villagers who mine it wouldn't trade their life for anything. The linder stone takes skill to extract in whole blocks from the mountainside, and its qualities enable them to converse without speaking.

Fourteen year old Miri wants nothing so much as to join her father and older sister in the quarry. But she's small, and her father has forbidden her to set foot in the quarry. Instead, Miri tends the goats; teases her childhood friend, Peder; and wishes on the little miri flowers that she was named after to be allowed to work with everyone else in the quarry.

But everything changes the day the traders arrive for the last time before winter, bringing with them an official from the capital of Dunland - a messenger from the King. It has long been a tradition that the priests name the city from which the prince and heir to the throne must choose his bride. This time, causing great shock amongst the noble families of Dunland, the priests have named Mount Eskel - so overlooked it's not even considered a province of Dunland.

And so, further down the mountain in an abandoned stone manor house, the Princess Academy is established. Usually a formality, this time the girls aged thirteen to seventeen really must be trained - taught to read and write, how to walk and talk, about history and geography, diplomacy and economics.

Most of the girls don't want to become princess, and their families need them back in the village and quarry, but even so, competition sparks amongst them. Who will be princess? Could Miri, who does so well at her studies and was able to make the prince smile, be the one? (And what about Peder?) Yet when a threat comes to the Academy, curtseys and platitudes won't save them - only wits, mountain strength and Miri's determination.

This is the first Hale book I've read, and arguably her most popular one. It wasn't what I expected, but really it was better than I expected. It's one of those quiet fantasy books, like General Winston’s Daughter - nothing showy, no loud magic tricks or evil sorcerers or that tedious battle between good and evil (yawn). It also didn't follow those boring fantasy clichés that so many authors seem to enjoy perpetuating - a patriarchal social structure, for instance. Men and women work alongside each other in the quarry, and respect each other. Gender doesn't come into it. I got the impression that, despite classic hierarchies and class divisions, the rest of Dunland is much the same. The setting still had that typical medieval flavour, but with new angles and greater equality. Since it's Fantasy, not historical fiction, this is precisely the kind of thing I want to see - and don't get enough of.

The story is also disarmingly simple in its style - the prose has that lovely, unburdened quality that's usual in YA and Children's fiction - no fancy adjectives, no heavy-handed descriptions, no long-winded paragraphs: light on its feet, detailed and yet deceptively straight-forward. Perfect for its target age group (9-12) but just as enjoyable for the rest of us.

I loved Miri: she was a sympathetic character, a resourceful, intelligent, spirited girl you could really admire. She makes a great role model. The other girls weren't as fleshed-out as I'd have liked, but their characters still came through in small ways. The plot wasn't predictable, and the ending was very sweet. I also loved the small role economics plays in the story, not to mention the power an education gives you - Miri uses her hard-won knowledge from the Academy to improve her village's ability to trade, thus improving the quality of life on the mountain as well as their bargaining power. See, it's educational as well as a fun read! (less)

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Mar 11, 2008

S rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Middle School girls

Shelves: young-adult

An interesting title that I chose because my twelve year old refused to let me read the copy she'd borrowed from her BFF.

This Newbery Honor book is the tale of Miri Larendaughter, misunderstood and misunderstanding, a girl who loves her mountain home and family, harvesters of a rare, marble like rock called Linder.

A prophecy is made that the Prince's future wife will come from their home, and all the girls from 13 to 17 are rounded up and forced to go to school under an a...more

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Jun 26, 2007

Cindy rated it

Recommends it for: Young Girls

(warning: spoilers)

Ok, so I hate it when people hype up a book so much that there's no way you can ever enjoy it. That's what happened to this book. Everyone told me I would love it so much, and so when I read it I was, I couldn't help but be...disappointed. It was good, don't get me wrong! I enjoyed it. I read it fast, it was a book that I wanted to find out what was going to happen next. But I found it to be very predictable and it felt very confining. She mentioned that the...more

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Apr 14, 2009

Dana rated it

I love Shannon Hale - and get sucked right in to her books from the beginning. This book is certainly no exception.

I'm trying to remember though - I have read a book similar to Shannon Hale's style - it was about a girl stuck up in a tower with her maiden. Does this book sound familiar to any of you? If so, can you remind me of the author? I'd like to check out more of those books.

Nevermind...I just found it. It's called Book of a Thousand Days and yes, it is writt...more

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Nov 25, 2008

SheWunders rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 2008-11, ya-childrens_lit, fantasy

I think this may be my favorite Shannon Hale book.

The writing style is very much like her other YA books (Goose Girl, Enna Burning, & River Secrets). Also it shares the "speaking" theme.

What I love most about Princess Academy is the growth the characters experience. Miri began as a scrawny quarry girl who didn't know her place in the world. She developed into a brave, intellegent girl who knows her heart. The road of growth is deep in plot and emotion whic...more

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Apr 14, 2008

Heathercrow rated it

This book was such fun. Who hasn't dreamt about being a princess at least once in their life? I loved the characters and it was just a sweet story. I am looking forward to reading more of Shanon Hale's books.

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Dec 01, 2008

Ammi rated it

Recommends it for: everyone

Recommended to Ammi by: no one

Shelves: best-book-ever, favorites

This is the greatest book I've ever ever ever ever read. It takes place a longggg time ago in Scandanavia and it is so like real life it's scary. It very interseting, a book you can't put down.

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Mar 30, 2008

Kyra rated it

Recommends it for: Everyone looking for a great book!!!!!!

Shelves: really-good-books

This book is really seriously a great one!! I love how there is so much to the story and how you never want to put it down!!!

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Apr 22, 2008

Anna rated it

I LOVED this book. The title makes it sound more like a fantasy fairy tale, but the book is so far from it.

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May 15, 2011

Nicole rated it

Recommends it for: lowly commoners who want to be princesses

Recommended to Nicole by: my conscience

Shelves: it-s-ok, ending-lacked-something

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 14, 2008

Juli rated it

Recommends it for: fans of nontraditional fairy tales (or, you know, anyone who can read.)

Recommended to Juli by: Katie O'Neill

Shelves: 2008, favorites, kiddie-lit, own-and-read

The main character is Miri (named for a moutain flower), who lives in the poor mountains of a rich kingdom. None of the mountain people can read or write, and their only source of income is a product of the mountain itself, which they have to mine, and they're dependent on traders who come from the lowlands with basic goods to swap for the precious mountain stone. The king's priests determine that the prince's future bride will come from Miri's mountain village, so all the eligible young girls...more

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Oct 03, 2008

Sylvia rated it

Shelves: fiction

Kisahnya simple, tentang gadis gunung yang berhayal menjadi putri pilihan pangeran. Sebenaranya sudah banyak kisah-kisah putri dan pangeran dengan versi yang berbeda-beda, namun entah kenapa cerita fantasy seperti ini masih saja menarik hati saya untuk membacanya.

Kisah berawal dengan mendeskripsikan kehidupan di sebuah desa terpencil di kaki gunung Eskel. Satu-satunya mata pencarian penduduk desa itu adalah mencari batu Linder yang digunakan untuk mendirikan bangunan-bangunan di kota...more

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May 26, 2008

Nola rated it

Recommends it for: Young adults, girls

Recommended to Nola by: Sesika

Shelves: fiction-fantasy

After hearing a number of people recommend Shannon Hale's The Princess Academy, I couldn't resist trying it out myself. I found it to be a delightful read, perfect for children and young adults, and rather engaging even for us 'big people.' More than your average fairy-tale, the novel creates a protagonist that exceeds the usual boundries.
The premise of the novel is fairy-tale typical. When the priests of Danland determine that the prince's bride will come from the slopes of Mt. Eskel, a...more After hearing a number of people recommend Shannon Hale's The Princess Academy, I couldn't resist trying it out myself. I found it to be a delightful read, perfect for children and young adults, and rather engaging even for us 'big people.' More than your average fairy-tale, the novel creates a protagonist that exceeds the usual boundries.
The premise of the novel is fairy-tale typical. When the priests of Danland determine that the prince's bride will come from the slopes of Mt. Eskel, an academy is set up to permit potential brides to learn the knowledge and manners of the court. Young Miri is one of the twenty girls taken from the quarry-rich village down the mountain. As she learns more about life beyond what she has yet experienced, she finds herself struggling with her desire to marry the prince. She wants to help her family to have a better life, but she also loves her home and does not wish to leave. When bandits capture the school, Miri must use not only her book knowledge but also the knowledge she has gained about herself to rescue herself and her friends.
Although the novel has a fairy-tale premise, Hale goes beyond the simple story and creates three dimensional characters that are both realistic and engaging. The headmistress appears cruel and overly harsh, but by the end of the novel we recognize her motivation. Miri's desire to "marry the prince" and leave he rhumble home is both typical and human, but she also struggles with her love of Mt. Eskel. And though the motivations of one of the more spiteful girls is rather psychologically typical - bad childhood and all that - it is also presented in a credible light that makes it not completely trite.
What I most enjoyed about this novel, however, was the way that Miri uses the knowledge gleaned from the academy not just to acquire a husband, but instead to improve life for her village and her family. Through her studies and desire to read, she finds that the villagers have long been cheated, and uses that information to improve life for all. When she realizes that her older sister and the boys (and even the parents!) also wish to learn, she sets up an academy in her village so all can study. In doing so, she teaches young readers that even children have power to apply what they learn, if they but seek it; that knowledge and study both have real-world applications and can make life better now instead of just 'after graduation.' The young women are empowered by their mind and by exploring and expanding on their natural gifts and talents, and these are the things that really matter.
In short, rather than just being a fairy tale where the prince is astounded by beauty, The Princess Academy encourages young adults - especially young women, who are the most likely target audience - to apply themselves and to seek benefits from that application now rather than later. Between this premise and the engaging and excellent writing style that makes the story live in the reader's mind, this is a book I would recommend to anyone.(less)

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Mar 29, 2009

Jacqueline (Notes from the Nerdette) rated it

Recommends it for: those who are trying to discover who they really are—whether a preteen, teenager, or adult

Recommended to Jacqueline (Notes from the Nerdette) by: Amazon.com

Shelves: all-time-favorites, newberys, reviews-on-blog, fantasy, books-i-own, signed

Everyone who has been or is a teenager has to admit it: one of the most trial times of your life is in your mid- and early teens. If you think about it, these are the times when you have the most conflicts in your life--those with family, friends, neighbors, and probably the greatest, with yourself. Young adult fiction writer Shannon Hale takes a look at these same conflicts. Though the main character of the novel Princess Academy lived in an entirely fictional, made-up time and place, she faces...more

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Oct 01, 2007

Jessica rated it

Shelves: utah-author, newbery

Literary academics love to debate definitions. When did the Victorian era of literature really start? To which nation should an ex patriot’s writing be accredited? What is young adult fiction? Stephenie Meyer, one of the most recently popular young adult authors, noted her opinion that young adult books merely have young adult protagonists, while adult books have adult protagonists. That may be true, but YA plots also usually involve some kind of bildungsroman.

Princess Academy is no ...moreLiterary academics love to debate definitions. When did the Victorian era of literature really start? To which nation should an ex patriot’s writing be accredited? What is young adult fiction? Stephenie Meyer, one of the most recently popular young adult authors, noted her opinion that young adult books merely have young adult protagonists, while adult books have adult protagonists. That may be true, but YA plots also usually involve some kind of bildungsroman.

Princess Academy is no exception. This Newberry Honor Book follows the coming-of-age of its protagonist, Miri, as well as several of her acquaintances. Motherless Miri lives on Mount Eskel in a small mining community quite separate from the rest of the kingdom of which it is a part, Danland. Though everyone in the village except the very young and the very old labor in the quarry, Miri’s father will not allow her to do so. This exclusion leaves Miri doubting her contribution and value to the small and indigent village.

One autumn day a royal messenger comes and announces that in one year, the prince of Danland would come to Mount Eskel to choose his princess from among the village girls. In the meantime, the village girls were to be sent to the Princess Academy to prepare themselves to be princesses.

The academy not only prepares the future princess for her duties, but it opens up a new world for the isolated mountain girls. Miri’s world is forever altered when she discovers words and finds her place in the village.

Miri is a lovable and believable protagonist with quirks and yearnings and intelligence. Shannon Hale’s prose does not call attention to itself. The book is quickly paced, and the resolution is somewhat surprising but foreseeable. In fact, some of the foreshadowing was, to me, a little too transparent. I knew in generalities how the book was going to end only a few chapters in, but the story was so good that I wanted to see how the characters arrived at that ending.

In the end, a reader does not need a precise category in which to place this book. A place on my bookshelf is good enough for me.(less)

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Sep 22, 2008

Kathleen rated it

Recommends it for: 9-adult to read alone, read aloud to 5 and up

I've been reading this to my 8.5 year old daughter at night before bed. She is eating it up - and I am too. In fact - I read ahead just to see what happens. . SHHHHHHHH.

Though the title is appropriate, I'm afraid that some people will not pick up this book because they think it is froofy and shallow. . 'Tis not. The protagonist is a real, rich character with an inner life and traits both admirable and unfortunate. The world she lives in is believable and complex economically and soc...more

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Jun 29, 2008

Mimi rated it

Shelves: young-adult

It was cute that when I read and finished the book we were on our road trip to Utah. all the mountains around were quite the setting. Of course we're staying this week at Quarry Lane. I will try quarry speech with the rock wall on the patio.

(And we drove through Badlands right after I read "Peace like a river", kind of freaky to drive the same road.)

I think she does well creating intensity, just enough to be entertaining for adults but not too scary for younger ...more

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Mar 24, 2009

Nate rated it

My friend Chris Dufort LOVES this book. He is has every bit of Princess Academy merchandise that he can find. He told me that he has read this book 5 or 6 times. I took him up on it and I liked it.

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Jul 05, 2007

Evan rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Those wanting intelligent fairy tales

Shelves: youngadult

This is a great book. Imagine a fairy tale that doesn't need magic, just intelligence, and can say something about both people and societies.

Quick setup: Palace oracles determine that the next pricess of the land will be from some allegedly podunk rural mountain village. The kingdom therefore sets up a school to educate all the young girls in the town, so the next princess will be able to handle her position. This is a pretty simple premise, but the combination of a wonderful mai...more

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Feb 24, 2009

Sierra rated it

· review of another edition

This book taught me that doing the wrong thing for the right reason is very hard. This book is great for adventurous people.

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Aug 03, 2008

Gloryseeker33 rated it

I loved this book. I thought the premise interesting, and it did turn out to be a great story, but it had so much roundness and depth beyond the interest of story and setting and character. The exploration of the need to belong, the value of accepting differences and working together, of doing good to those who have not treated us well, are all explored here. Mis-communications and misunderstandings, struggles with self worth, and feelings of being unloved and left out, and the resolutions of...more

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Apr 19, 2009

Sarah rated it

I really enjoy Shannon Hale's writing. It's lyrical and spirited and fun. This story gives a great commentary on the importance and power of education.

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Nov 14, 2007

Jenny Shirley rated it

Shelves: childrens-youngadult

This children's book was so good that I read it in only a few hours! The heroine, Miri, is clever, spunky, and very funny: she reminds me of other strong heroines in children's fantasy classics: Ella in Ella Enchanted, Elionwy in The Prydain Chronicles, and Aerin in The Hero and the Crown. The culture is fascinating and well developed in this book, making the fantasy seem that much more real. Shannon Hale's commentary on education, friendship, teamwork, home, and family were very worthwhile. I l...more

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Mar 09, 2011

Reading Vacation's Mom rated it

· review of another edition

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 princ...more

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Mar 25, 2009

Josie rated it

Shelves: children-s-lit

Princess Academy
Written by Shannon Hale
Published by Bloomsbury Children's Books
2005
Fantasy

In Princess Academy, Shannon Hale has created a wonderful world of fantasy and a heartwarming story of family and friendship. More advanced readers will enjoy Hale's ability to tell a story in poetic language, "she did nit care who knew the secret that made her chest tight and her head as light as seeding weeds in a breeze" (158). The village of Mount Eskel co...morePrincess Academy
Written by Shannon Hale
Published by Bloomsbury Children's Books
2005
Fantasy

In Princess Academy, Shannon Hale has created a wonderful world of fantasy and a heartwarming story of family and friendship. More advanced readers will enjoy Hale's ability to tell a story in poetic language, "she did nit care who knew the secret that made her chest tight and her head as light as seeding weeds in a breeze" (158). The village of Mount Eskel comes alive with detailed descriptions and the elements of fantasy that prevail throughout the novel do not overpower it. The theme of loyalty is strongly addressed, one which incoming sixth graders will benefit from. This age group will also enjoy the elements of romance, friendship and learning found throughout Princess Academy.
The story follows Miri, a young girl who has always wanted to work in the quarry of Mount Eskel. Everyone works in the quarry; it is the remote village's livelihood, yet her father forbids her. A great turn of events occurs when the town learns that the Prince will marry a girl from Mount Eskel. All the girls must attend Princess Academy to learn the basic and more advanced skills needed to be a Princess. Miri struggles at first, but competition among the girls drives her to be the best. She also discovers the power of quarry speech, loyalty to one's self, home and friends along the way. Miri faces bandits, fears of first love and is torn between her past and future. Eventually, she finds her place.
What is wonderful about this book, is its originality,yet familiarity. It is like nothing I have ever read before, yet also contains the comforting themes one likes to read about as a child and adult. The idea of quarry speech, how the members of the town are bound together and how Miri uses it to save herself and her friends many times is completely original and exciting to learn about. Miri's discovery of her feelings for Peder, her best friend, are very typical of a young teenager. Yet when placed in this fantasy world, first love becomes something new again. The plot point of Miri's mother having died after giving birth is also nothing new but when used to help Miri understand who she is as person is very effective and refreshing. I also greatly enjoyed that the plot was not predictable. There were twists and turns throughout the story and instead of being disruptive and confusing, they aided in weaving a captivating tale. I would highly recommend this book to an incoming sixth grader, especially an avid reader looking for something new and different.

(less)

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Mar 13, 2009

Barky rated it

Shelves: 2008-caudill-nominees, audio-edition, fantasy, gutsy-girls, juvenile-fiction, young-adult-fiction, magic, boarding-school, borrowed-from-the-library

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Miri lives on Mt. Eskel in a community of linder workers. They quarry the stone and then sell it to merchants who take it down the mountain. Miri is unusual in that she is never allowed to work in the quarry and longs to be a part of her community. Her father won’t hear it, though. One day, messengers from the lowlands come to inform the mountain people that the prince will choose his bride from among the young mountain women aged 12-18, and that all of these women must go to a court-run fin...moreMiri lives on Mt. Eskel in a community of linder workers. They quarry the stone and then sell it to merchants who take it down the mountain. Miri is unusual in that she is never allowed to work in the quarry and longs to be a part of her community. Her father won’t hear it, though. One day, messengers from the lowlands come to inform the mountain people that the prince will choose his bride from among the young mountain women aged 12-18, and that all of these women must go to a court-run finishing school so that they’ll be presentable when it comes time for the prince to make his choice. The mountain people aren’t sure what to make of this announcement, but in the end they send their girls to the school.

The mistress of the school is a horrible woman who is overly strict and punishes them for every little offense. She makes them miserable, and she immediately identifies Miri as a troublemaker and sets her against all of the other girls. So Miri is lonelier than ever. Still, she manages to make the most of her alone time and gets herself a fantastic education. She learns to read, she learns all about economics and trade and even discovers that the traders have been cheating her people for years. It’s more important to her than anything to get back to her people in time to understand that they have a lot more bargaining power than they think. When it seems the mistress of the school is going to keep everyone from going home for the spring festival, Miri encourages them all to run away with her. Miri uses quarry-speech to get the girls to run – another skill she’s taught herself while at the academy. She’s learned that the speech her people use while they work is triggered by sharing or triggering common memories, and using them to speak to one another. It works because of the linder, which somehow helps them transmit their thoughts – a sort of telepathy.

When the festival is over and the girls return to the academy, they decide to use their new bargaining skills to make sure that the mistress treats them more fairly. When she accepts their terms, things begin to improve. Soon the girls are learning because it is a pleasure, and not just to come out top of the class and appeal to the prince. When the prince does arrive he’s not what anyone expects. He’s aloof and stiff and not very much fun at all. Miri even tells him this, and is able to get him to crack the only smile anyone sees on his face the entire time he’s at the academy. Although he’s supposed to make a choice, he informs them that he cannot and that he will return later. The girls are all shocked. All except Miri’s friend, Britta, who eventually reveals that she knows the prince. Britta was sent to live with distant relatives on the mountain – her story was that she’d been orphaned. But this wasn’t the case at all. She’s actually a lady from the lowlands and she and the prince had been good friends. She’s afraid if he sees her he’ll think that she’s conniving to be his wife. Before the prince can return to make his choice, however, the academy is beset by bandits who take all of the girls prisoner in order to ransom the princess to be.

Miri uses her quarry speech to reach the mountain people, and they come and rescue the girls. Then the prince returns and sees Britta and chooses her to be his wife. The most unhappy of the girls, Katar, is offered a chance to go with them and live in a new place (the thing that she desires most), and Miri gets to go back and live with her people and be with Peder, the boy of her dreams.

How could I resist a book entitled, “Princess Academy”? The answer is I could not. Miri is a sweet and powerful character. She has plenty of spunk and vivacity. Her discoveries and education are just as enlightening for us as they are for her. Enjoyable fairytale. The audiobook was also enjoyable – it’s acted in several voices (which isn’t really effective at times when there’s little dialogue – or only a few words per character), and they’ve also put the quarry songs to music and added short musical interludes between chapters. Once you get accustomed to it, it’s nice.(less)

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Feb 11, 2009

Jennifer Black rated it

Recommends it for: pre teen and teen girls

I read this book to preview it for my daughter - a precocious reader who is reading well beyond her grade level. I'm trying to "guide" her towards books at her reading level that aren't too heavy topic wise since at age 7 she's just not ready for the heavy stuff yet.

I think this will be a great book for her - the main Character is Miri, a girl who is not allowed to work the town's mine with her family and she doesn't know why. She feels left out and alone. Then one day a...more

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Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Princess Acadamy	60	84	Feb 07, 2012 11:45am
Would you rather be a lowlander or a Mountain person?	16	15	Jan 27, 2012 01:12pm
I loved this book	19	114	Jan 17, 2012 06:05pm
What are your favorite books that Shannon Hale wrote?	5	32	Aug 11, 2011 07:09pm
Dishonesty Rewarded	19	244	May 14, 2011 05:47pm
YA Book Club: Initial Reactions	30	116	Jan 16, 2011 09:35pm
YA Book Club: Other Books?	16	63	Mar 16, 2010 11:58am

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About Shannon Hale

Shannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of six young adult novels: the Newbery Honor book Princess Academy, multiple award winner Book of a Thousand Days, and the highly acclaimed Books of Bayern series. She has written three books for adults, including the upcoming Midnight in Austenland (Jan. 2012), companion book to Austenland. She co-wrote the hit graphic novel Rapunzel's Reveng...more

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Books by Shannon Hale

The Goose Girl (The Books of Bayern, #1)

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Trivia About Princess Academy

11 trivia questions
2 quizzes

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Quotes from Princess Academy

“I keep thinking about a tale my nurse used to read to me about a bird whose wings are pinned to the ground. In the end, when he finally frees himself, he flies so high he becomes a star. My nurse said the story was about how we all have something that keeps us down.” — 167 people liked it

“There you go...let it all slide out. Unhappiness can't stick in a person's soul when it's slick with tears.” — 154 people liked it

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Groups That Shelved Princess Academy

Young Adult Fiction for A...

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last activity 1 hour, 37 min ago

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YA Book Club

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last activity 4 hours, 5 min ago

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Clean Romances

1169 members

last activity 1 hour, 19 min ago

shelf: read

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avg rating	preview: Princess Academy Goodreads rating: 4.03 (32567 ratings)
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Princess Academy (Princess Academy #1)

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