Shannon Hale

While attending a strict academy for potential princesses with the other girls from her mountain village, fourteen-year-old Miri discovers unexpected talents and connections to her homeland.

Princess Academy

The Princess Academy

I remember loving this book when I first read it in middle school, and it still holds up for me nearly 20 years later. 

Bethany

Fourteen-year-old Miri lives on a mountain where her ancestors have quarried stone and lived in poverty for generations. Then just before winter's first snowfall, a delegation from the lowlands arrive 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 chose 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.

Sarah Sammis

Miri is small for her age. She lives with her family in a mountain community known for its special quarried stone. Life is a struggle and things are about to get worse as girls of a certain age are forced to go to the princess academy as the king's priests have divined that the newest queen will be living among them. That's the set up of Shannon Hale's Princess Academy.

While it may sound like a traditional set up for a fairy tale where the smallest, least useful member of a town goes off to charm the crown prince and become the next queen, it isn't. It's about the hardships of mountain life, about wanting to contribute to society, the frustration of not knowing the truth behind things and finally the power of education. What Miri and the other girls gain above and beyond the lessons in grace and polite society, is an education and most importantly, the ability to read.

Hale uses the seasons to show the mountain in all its forms and to create a believable sense of place. She also includes folk songs and stories to build an oral history that is later enhanced and challenged by what Miri and the others learn in their studies.

Although the book is set in only a small piece of the kingdom I came away with a sense of a much larger area. Shannon Hale excels at world building while keeping the story flowing and the characters developing.

I listened to the audio version of Princess Academy on our drive to Southern California earlier this year. I plan to go back and read the printed version later.

Miri lives on a mountain where, for generations, her ancestors have lived a simple life. Then word comes that the king's priests have divined her village the home of the future princess. In a year's time, the prince will choose his bride from among the village girls. The king's ministers set up an academy on the mountain, and every teenage girl must attend and learn how to become a princess. Soon Miri finds herself confronted with a harsh academy mistress, bitter competition among the girls, and her own conflicting desires. Winning the contest could give her everything she ever wanted-but it would mean leaving her home and family behind. Packaged with a fresh cover, this timelessly charming, award-winning story from best-selling author Shannon Hale is sure to enchant a whole new generation of readers.

Just like any schooling activity, the lessons are always the slow-paced parts. Took me long to go through the chapters. But when the action started and the princesses-in-training began to apply what they learned, then the pace picked up and I enjoyed reading it until the end.

Naomi P

Princess Academy #1

Callie Anna

This was much better than I thought it would be! It is written for young children, but sometimes felt like it was trying really really hard to be liked my older kids as well. Now, I did, but not because of what was added. A good story with interesting concepts.

chloe g

lovely literature and a story so different than the ones we are used to. truly imaginative, like all of her work. The characters come alive but also exist in a world of their own. This type of gentle but powerful magic is inexplicable, but Shannon Hale was able to put it into words. Amazing story.

Jennifer

I love this one. So clever and easy to follow. Finished it all at once in 2 hours.

Shelby Wideman

Oh man, I had to push myself through this book. I was met with a very exciting ending and a promise of better things to come with the series.

iia w

Rebecca Light

Smart, quick-paced writing. Solid storytelling and world-creating. Above all an excellent allegory for young people, especially girls. But the boys should read it too!

vely

This book is a work of art. It's one of my go to "I'm bored." reads. Originally, I got my paperback copy from my old babysitter, who was always enthusiastic about my reading. I first read it in... 3rd grade, I think? I loved it, but didn't fully understand how genius the plot is. Now that I'm NOT in third grade, I can really appreciate this beautiful book, and how it works.

Miri is amazed to find that the royal court is coming to her mountainside village in search of a match for the Prince! If Miri is chosen, it will mean the end of life as she knows it, and the start of a new, royal world. It's every girl's dream to be a princess . isn't it? Join Miri for the first ever Princess Academy story in a whirlwind of gowns, crowns and adventure as she figures out her own happily ever after . Packaged with a fresh cover, this timelessly charming, award-winning story from bestselling author Shannon Hale is sure to enchant a whole new generation of readers.

New Edition

Hayley 📖🌈💜🌸

Just delightful! I forgot how much I love Shannon Hale's writing. I love the fairytale feel of her books.

Princess Academy

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