Helpful Score: 6
Bought this book for my 9 year old daughter,and wound up reading it for myself. I really enjoyed it, and think it would be great for a teenager.
Helpful Score: 4
There are so many books about princesses, but this one is unique. I love the subtle magic of Princess Academy. It is a truly wonderful book.
"The story is much like the mountains, with plenty of suspenseful moments that peak and fall, building into the next intense event. Each girl's story is brought to a satisfying conclusion, but this is not a fluffy, predictable fairy tale, even though it has wonderful moments of humor. Instead, Hale weaves an intricate, multilayered story about families, relationships, education, and the place we call home."
School Library Journal, starred review
"The story is much like the mountains, with plenty of suspenseful moments that peak and fall, building into the next intense event. Each girl's story is brought to a satisfying conclusion, but this is not a fluffy, predictable fairy tale, even though it has wonderful moments of humor. Instead, Hale weaves an intricate, multilayered story about families, relationships, education, and the place we call home."
School Library Journal, starred review
Helpful Score: 3
I really enjoyed this book. The pace took me a little bit to get used to. Maybe because I'm a fast reader and this book really makes you slow down - It is completely worth it, and I think, the pace may be part of the story itself.
This book is often on 6th and 7th grade book lists. I would suggest reading it with your kids. Even as single 30s woman this story had me thinking about it days after I finished it. It would make for interesting conversation with your kids.
This book is often on 6th and 7th grade book lists. I would suggest reading it with your kids. Even as single 30s woman this story had me thinking about it days after I finished it. It would make for interesting conversation with your kids.
Helpful Score: 3
I loved this book. It was very entertaining, with a sweet, strong heroine that is impossible to dislike. Shannon Hale is a skilled artist. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good story. Wonderful!
Sarah P. (hernandoreading) reviewed Princess Academy (Princess Academy, Bk 1) on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Miri feels left out in the life of her village, kept out of the quarry by her over-protective father. Then a chance of a lifetime comes along - the chance to be a princess. Will Miri be the chosen girl?
This book shows girls that everyone has talents and gifts, even if they are not immediately noticeable. Miri goes from being a quiet, lonely girl to an important part of her community; maybe the most important part. My students love this book, and so do I!
This book shows girls that everyone has talents and gifts, even if they are not immediately noticeable. Miri goes from being a quiet, lonely girl to an important part of her community; maybe the most important part. My students love this book, and so do I!
Helpful Score: 2
Get out of a reading rut, this book is different in wonderful ways. What would girls in a remote mining community need to learn if you knew the next princess would be one of these girls? This imaginary country set up a princess academy so that when the prince chooses a bride, whoever it is will have a background in the rudiments of diplomacy, economics, and arts. What would mining community girls DO with this knowledge, if they didn't just learn it to the level of "parroting" it back to the teacher, but really understood the power of these ideas?
The book has strong characters, intriguing plot twists, and touches of the supernatural handled in a way that brings up interpersonal issues. Shall we treat folks differently if they can't tune in to the supernatural? I typically prefer realistic settings, as the real world is really interesting enough, but hats off to the author for using it both for novelty and for theme. Shannon Hale's writing style is inviting and fluid. This book is irresitable.
The book has strong characters, intriguing plot twists, and touches of the supernatural handled in a way that brings up interpersonal issues. Shall we treat folks differently if they can't tune in to the supernatural? I typically prefer realistic settings, as the real world is really interesting enough, but hats off to the author for using it both for novelty and for theme. Shannon Hale's writing style is inviting and fluid. This book is irresitable.
Karissa E. (ophelia99) reviewed Princess Academy (Princess Academy, Bk 1) on + 2527 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I have read some of Shannon Hale's graphic novels (Rapunzel's Revenge and Calamity Jack) and enjoyed them. I also really want to read a Posse of Princesses. When I ran across Princess Academy used I was excited to get it to read. It was a very good book.
Miri lives on Mount Eskel and is too small to work in the mines there. She is smart and feels extremely left out because of not being able to do mine work. Then one day a messenger arrives; it has been divined that the Prince will marry a girl from Mount Eskel. In preparation all of the girls are sent to a specially built Princess Academy where they learn reading, writing, history, proper poise, diplomacy and etiquette. Miri excels at the lessons but wonders if she would really want to leave her mountain home to marry a lowlander.
This book was a fun read. Miri is a spirited character that thinks with her head first but always tries to follow her heart. There is light humor throughout the story which livens up the story. This book is a wonderful read on girls finding their own place in life. It is also nice that after an initial spat of catty behavior, the girls learn to work together and work for what is best for them as a group. They find that winning the Prince is the least of what they will gain from attending the Academy.
I enjoyed the camaraderie between the girls and loved the lessons they learned. Miri is an especially endearing character who, despite her small stature, packs quite a powerful personality. The story is very complete and the end throws a couple fun twists at the reader that are unexpected.
This novel wasn't as magical as I was hoping and some of the scenes in the Princess Academy run a bit long. Overall though it was a very good book. It is appropriate for all ages. It is probably best suited to younger girls or young adult girls. Nothing ever gets all that dangerous or dire, and even the evil characters aren't really all that evil. So, if you are hoping for an adventurous read look elsewhere. This book is more about girls finding their place in life and learning to work together.
Overall I enjoyed it and it was a fun and heartfelt read. I will definitely read more of Hale's books. Definitely not an edgy book, but sweet and fun all the same.
Miri lives on Mount Eskel and is too small to work in the mines there. She is smart and feels extremely left out because of not being able to do mine work. Then one day a messenger arrives; it has been divined that the Prince will marry a girl from Mount Eskel. In preparation all of the girls are sent to a specially built Princess Academy where they learn reading, writing, history, proper poise, diplomacy and etiquette. Miri excels at the lessons but wonders if she would really want to leave her mountain home to marry a lowlander.
This book was a fun read. Miri is a spirited character that thinks with her head first but always tries to follow her heart. There is light humor throughout the story which livens up the story. This book is a wonderful read on girls finding their own place in life. It is also nice that after an initial spat of catty behavior, the girls learn to work together and work for what is best for them as a group. They find that winning the Prince is the least of what they will gain from attending the Academy.
I enjoyed the camaraderie between the girls and loved the lessons they learned. Miri is an especially endearing character who, despite her small stature, packs quite a powerful personality. The story is very complete and the end throws a couple fun twists at the reader that are unexpected.
This novel wasn't as magical as I was hoping and some of the scenes in the Princess Academy run a bit long. Overall though it was a very good book. It is appropriate for all ages. It is probably best suited to younger girls or young adult girls. Nothing ever gets all that dangerous or dire, and even the evil characters aren't really all that evil. So, if you are hoping for an adventurous read look elsewhere. This book is more about girls finding their place in life and learning to work together.
Overall I enjoyed it and it was a fun and heartfelt read. I will definitely read more of Hale's books. Definitely not an edgy book, but sweet and fun all the same.
Helpful Score: 2
3.5 stars (round up to 4). I was surprised how much I enjoyed this, as I picked it up for my daughter. She's a little young for it, but I'm keeping it for her. The king's diviners have predicted that the next princess of the land will come from the remote mountain village of Eskel. As tradition decrees, the eligible young girls will attend a Princess Academy to prepare them for the royal lowlander life, and be presented at a ball to the prince for him to choose from. Young Miri is not sure whether she wants to be a princess of not, but she wants to give her family a better life. However, competition is fierce among the girls - but when danger threatens, it is Miri who must find a way to save them all. Not your traditional fairy tale, this story has interesting and unexpected twists that make it unique and fascinating, with characters of depth that develop very satisfyingly, and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Helpful Score: 2
Princess Academy is a great read: the characters are interesting, their problems are interesting, and their methods of meeting challenges are interesting. All fiction gives children access to the world, insights into others' hopes, worries, and actions and that's a particular strength of this book. Yes, their world has some features not found in our world (so if you prefer realistic fiction to fantasy fiction go find another book). The fantasy elements of the book provide the novelty. Meanwhile there's a remarkable infusion of economics concepts and insight into oppression while we're at it. Summary: a great read with novelty provided both by fantasy elements and by offering some truely big ideas from our real world.
Cheryl M. (happymcpherson) reviewed Princess Academy (Princess Academy, Bk 1) on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is a cute story I "pre-read" for my girls and really enjoyed reading it in the process. It is kind of fun to think of living a whole different life like she does.
Helpful Score: 1
Love this book! Shannon must have a terrible time keep all the characters straight with their traits. I love the character Miri and the events of the story. Great for young adults as well as adult reading. The plot and the twists are great.
Michelle S. (reader4ever) reviewed Princess Academy (Princess Academy, Bk 1) on + 20 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed the story line in this book. The ending was not what I had imagined, but nevertheless it was wonderful.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was not what I expected from a book about a school for prospective princesses. The girls were from a small, close-knit, hard working community. The lessons they learned were not superficial and the girls were able to use what they learned to help their own community. Miri was a great character, a strong girl who became a leader despite her own insecurities. I think she is a great role model for young girls and I look forward to when my daughter (who is now 4) is old enough to read this book.
Helpful Score: 1
I had read this book previously. I am always on the lookout for good books to share with grandhildren and thought this was excellent. I will share with oldest granddaughter this summer as she comes to visit. I would rate it a 4star book.
Nancy G. (ComfyReader) reviewed Princess Academy (Princess Academy, Bk 1) on + 330 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I adored this YA book. 14-year-old Miri loves her life with her father and sister on Mount Eskel, where she spends here days taking care of their home while her sister and father work in the local quarry mining the very beautiful and rare linder stone.
Miri longs to be able to actually work in the quarry, but being born early to a mother that died six days after Miri's birth, she just isn't large enough or strong enough to the the physical work that is required.
Miri's life is about to undergo a dramatic change when the prince announces that it has been foretold that he will find his future wife on Mount Eskel. Such a twitter abounds and all girls between the ages of 13 and 18 are sent off to the Princess Academy where they are taught the fine art of being the perfect princess. The girls were excited about this until they meet their tutor, the horrible Olana who feels that it is her personal duty to torture these young women all in the name of propriety. But Miri and her band of friends have something entirely different in mind and with the help of "quarry-speech" events turn out quite differently when one of the quarry girls has a shocking confession of her own.
Though this book is suggested for ages 9 and up, I think that 9 is a bit too young and that this book would be better appreciated by girls in the 12 to 14 year age group. A little exciting and a little early romance make this a fun book to explore and to share with your daughters.
Miri longs to be able to actually work in the quarry, but being born early to a mother that died six days after Miri's birth, she just isn't large enough or strong enough to the the physical work that is required.
Miri's life is about to undergo a dramatic change when the prince announces that it has been foretold that he will find his future wife on Mount Eskel. Such a twitter abounds and all girls between the ages of 13 and 18 are sent off to the Princess Academy where they are taught the fine art of being the perfect princess. The girls were excited about this until they meet their tutor, the horrible Olana who feels that it is her personal duty to torture these young women all in the name of propriety. But Miri and her band of friends have something entirely different in mind and with the help of "quarry-speech" events turn out quite differently when one of the quarry girls has a shocking confession of her own.
Though this book is suggested for ages 9 and up, I think that 9 is a bit too young and that this book would be better appreciated by girls in the 12 to 14 year age group. A little exciting and a little early romance make this a fun book to explore and to share with your daughters.
Nancy G. (ComfyReader) reviewed Princess Academy (Princess Academy, Bk 1) on + 330 more book reviews
I adored this YA book. 14-year-old Miri loves her life with her father and sister on Mount Eskel, where she spends here days taking care of their home while her sister and father work in the local quarry mining the very beautiful and rare linder stone.
Miri longs to be able to actually work in the quarry, but being born early to a mother that died six days after Miri's birth, she just isn't large enough or strong enough to the the physical work that is required.
Miri's life is about to undergo a dramatic change when the prince announces that it has been foretold that he will find his future wife on Mount Eskel. Such a twitter abounds and all girls between the ages of 13 and 18 are sent off to the Princess Academy where they are taught the fine art of being the perfect princess. The girls were excited about this until they meet their tutor, the horrible Olana who feels that it is her personal duty to torture these young women all in the name of propriety. But Miri and her band of friends have something entirely different in mind and with the help of "quarry-speech" events turn out quite differently when one of the quarry girls has a shocking confession of her own.
Though this book is suggested for ages 9 and up, I think that 9 is a bit too young and that this book would be better appreciated by girls in the 12 to 14 year age group. A little exciting and a little early romance make this a fun book to explore and to share with your daughters.
Miri longs to be able to actually work in the quarry, but being born early to a mother that died six days after Miri's birth, she just isn't large enough or strong enough to the the physical work that is required.
Miri's life is about to undergo a dramatic change when the prince announces that it has been foretold that he will find his future wife on Mount Eskel. Such a twitter abounds and all girls between the ages of 13 and 18 are sent off to the Princess Academy where they are taught the fine art of being the perfect princess. The girls were excited about this until they meet their tutor, the horrible Olana who feels that it is her personal duty to torture these young women all in the name of propriety. But Miri and her band of friends have something entirely different in mind and with the help of "quarry-speech" events turn out quite differently when one of the quarry girls has a shocking confession of her own.
Though this book is suggested for ages 9 and up, I think that 9 is a bit too young and that this book would be better appreciated by girls in the 12 to 14 year age group. A little exciting and a little early romance make this a fun book to explore and to share with your daughters.
Great book for middle school girls and boy alike! I personnely also enjoyed. There is adventure, fantasy, romance, and humor. Made me cry, laugh, and smile. Shannon Hale is a amazing author!
Stephanie H. (howellfamilycircus) reviewed Princess Academy (Princess Academy, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
Good, clean, innocent book! I got it to read with my daughter but ended up reading it by myself!
There are so many books about princesses, but this one is unique. I love the subtle magic of Princess Academy. It is a truly wonderful book.
"The story is much like the mountains, with plenty of suspenseful moments that peak and fall, building into the next intense event. Each girl's story is brought to a satisfying conclusion, but this is not a fluffy, predictable fairy tale, even though it has wonderful moments of humor. Instead, Hale weaves an intricate, multilayered story about families, relationships, education, and the place we call home."
School Library Journal, starred review
"The story is much like the mountains, with plenty of suspenseful moments that peak and fall, building into the next intense event. Each girl's story is brought to a satisfying conclusion, but this is not a fluffy, predictable fairy tale, even though it has wonderful moments of humor. Instead, Hale weaves an intricate, multilayered story about families, relationships, education, and the place we call home."
School Library Journal, starred review
This was a nice quick read. I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't as magical/fluffy as I was afraid. It was a good read and I was glad to see who the Prince picked and who he didn't.
Wonderful book! My 9-year old son and my husband both enjoyed it too :)
I loved sharing this story with my tween daughter, particularly for the scene in which Miri uses the Rules of Diplomacy. Hale weaves an engaging tale and timeless coming-of-age information together beautifully, without going "too deep." I just wish there was a study guide to go along with it. ;~)
Heather P. (HeatherMarie) reviewed Princess Academy (Princess Academy, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
I enjoyed this book a great deal! It was a refreshing version of the coming of age story, with interesting characters, charming plot, and a good moral lesson about forgiveness. I am looking forward to the next book!
My 14 year old daughter really liked this book.
Great children's book.
Haven't read this book. I ordered it for a friend's daughter who loves to read about princesses. I thought this sounded like just the ticket!
Such an awesome book. My daughter loved it.
Lisa G. (plum-marie) -
I kept having this feeling as I read this book that I have read it before but I couldn't figure out the ending in my memory so I read the whole thing. I liked it well enough. The idea of the academy is cool and I like what Miri did after she learned everything, especially the part about commerce. Peder is adorable too. I liked that Miri didn't exclude anyone, even when she really wanted to.
NOT just for girls. My son really enjoyed this book.
High in the Slopes of Mount Eskel, Miri's family has lived forever, ponding a meager living from the stone of the mountin itself. Miri dreams of working alongside the others in the quarry, but she has never been allowed to work there - perhaps, she thinks, because she is so small.
Then word comes from the lowlands: the king's preist's have divined that the prince's bride-to-be---the next princess---will come from Mount Eskel. The prince himself will travel to the village to choose his bride, but first all eligable girls must attened a makeshift acadamy to prepare for the royal lowlander life.
At the school, Miri finds herself confronting both bitter competion among the girls and her own conflicted disires to be chosen. Yet, when danger comes tp the acadmy, it is Miri, named for tiny mountin flower, who must find a way to save her classmates---and the chance for the future that each of them is eager to secure as her own.
Then word comes from the lowlands: the king's preist's have divined that the prince's bride-to-be---the next princess---will come from Mount Eskel. The prince himself will travel to the village to choose his bride, but first all eligable girls must attened a makeshift acadamy to prepare for the royal lowlander life.
At the school, Miri finds herself confronting both bitter competion among the girls and her own conflicted disires to be chosen. Yet, when danger comes tp the acadmy, it is Miri, named for tiny mountin flower, who must find a way to save her classmates---and the chance for the future that each of them is eager to secure as her own.
