Princess Academy (Princess Academy #1)

by Shannon Hale

Pa had said that despite pain and weakness after giving birth, her mother would not let go of her tiny baby. A week later, her mother had died. Though Miri had no memory of it save what she created in her imagination, she thought of that week when she was held by her mother as the most precious thing she owned, and she kept the idea of it tight to her heart.

"I keep thinking about a tale my nurse used to read to me about a bird whose wings are pinned to the ground. Have you heard it? 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. So here's what I'm wondering—if Miri's wings are free, what will she do now?"

If you want my wisdom, though no one ever does, forget the prince and enjoy yourselves."

Reading those books had changed her, and she could not wait to let the whole village feel that difference.