Princess Academy

Title : Princess Academy
Author : Shannon Hale
Year of Publication : 2005
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books

A Newbery Honor Book and PW's 2005 Cuffie Awards book.. a story evolving an Academy training eligible wild mountain ladies to be a Princess bride for the Prince. BUT this is not any of the ordinary fluffy, predictable fairy tale story with the Princess living happily ever after with the Prince, it's an extra-ordinary tale centering around a 14-year-old girl, Miri from Mount Eskel.

Mount Eskel is a very uru, uru small village in a high mountain of linder where the whole village depends on quarry mining for living. Miri who is more petite in size and frail is being kept from working in the quarry unlike most children in the village and this really upsets her as she feels really useless and small. But she found her self-worth after attending the Princess Academy and her determination to improve the life of the village and to do her family proud.

Shannon Hale is truly a very gifted author. She weaves such a beautiful landscape and image in your head as you read the Princess Academy. The glittering Mount Eskel with precious stone, Linder. Miri who is name after the blue mountain flower that is small but that can conquer rock and climbed, to face the sun. I attempted to find out if there is really a type of blue mountain flower by the name of Miri but found none. If anyone does know, do let me know.

What so interesting about the Princess Academy is Shannon Hale nicely interweaves feminist sensibilities in this quest-for-a-prince-charming, historical-fantasy tale. Like many parts strongly tell us that Miri wants to win and be the Academy Princess to improve the life of her family and make changes BUT she does not want to marry someone whom has never met before, the Prince. Her determination to change and excel despite facing tough competition and unfriendly frictions with her classmates. Her contradicting feelings for a better life and a happier life. Shannon Hale weaves an intricate, multilayered story about families, relationships, education, and home all in a one, in a simple children story.

Princess Academy is the strong, well-written story of one girl's determination to show that even a small mountain flower can be as valuable as a gold crown. How Miri becomes the strong, resilient and courageous Princess of the Academy. I think in everyone of us...there is a little Miri... ^_-)

Source : Princess Academy - about the book