Thsi book was REALLY GOOD! i HAD BOUGHT THE BOOK (301 PAGES) and i sat on the couch for about 5 hours. because I could not stop reading it! TRUE STORY The one death as posted above was to a bandit that held the main character and threatened to kill her, he fell off a cliff, (no blood at all)So as like most comments I would say everything about the book, that will be a spoiler. So I could say is GET THIS BOOK NOW!
Princess Academy
(2006, Fiction - Friendship, Written by Shannon Hale)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Moving, girl-empowerment read gets Newbery honor.
Themes in this book include: friendship, growing up
updated 02.09.10
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 9 and Up
The good stuff
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Role models:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Princess Academy was written by Matt Berman
Parents need to know that there's not much to worry about here -- one evil bandit falls off a cliff after making threats. All in all, there is lots of girl-empowerment and learning about looking past the masks people wear.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about all of the characters who turn out not to be the way they seem.
- Why did each one act the way he or she did?
- Why do people hide their feelings behind anger and meanness?
- How does Miri learn to see past these personas? Also, why is Miri's home, which is a hard place, so important to her?
- Why does the tutor treat the girls the way she does? And, perhaps most interesting of all, could we apply the rules of diplomacy that are taught to the girls in our own lives?
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More on Princess Academy
Book Summary
Miri lives with her father and older sister in their high mountain village, where they quarry linder, a marble-like stone used for palaces in the lowlands. Unlike the other girls in the village, Miri has never been allowed in the quarry. She believes it is because she is too small and weak, and that the rest of the village must resent and despise her. But all of the foundations of her life are shaken when it is announced that the prince will choose a wife from among the girls of her village, and that all of the girls between ages 12 and 18 must leave their homes to be trained for a year before meeting the prince. They must go to a "Princess Academy" to be established three hours down the mountain.
At the Academy, though their tutor is strict and rather mean, Miri discovers that she enjoys learning, which comes in handy when the other girls ostracize her for getting them all punished. But she also begins learning things her tutor never intended: how to see beyond people's facades to their true characters, how to enable her village to rise from poverty, and how to develop the mysterious "quarry-speak" into a means of wordless communication. What she can't figure out, though, is whether or not she hopes to be chosen as the next princess.
Is It Any Good?
This surprisingly moving novel conveys a depth of understanding of people, and their often confusing and misleading ways of behaving. It's a coming-of-age novel of the best sort. Although there are hints of fantasy in the vaguely telepathic "quarry-speak" that the mountain-dwelling villagers take for granted, Miri is as real as can be, a down-to-earth heroine who succeeds despite insecurity and misunderstanding, through guts and hard work.
The story is filled with moments of great satisfaction: The girls finally stand up to their tutor who, it turns out, was just hoping for them to do so; Miri convinces the village elders to use the principles of commerce and diplomacy she has learned to improve their lot; and every time Miri sees past someone's facade and into their hearts. It's a lovely story, full of gentle wisdom and the joy of family and community.
Publisher’s Details
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA, Publication date: 1/29/2006
Number of pages: 314, Price: $7.95 (paperback)
Read Aloud: 9, Read Alone: 10
Number of pages: 314, Price: $7.95 (paperback)
Read Aloud: 9, Read Alone: 10
Our Members Say
See all 40 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
I COULDN'T STOP READING IT!
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Perfect for Kids!
i read this book when i was twelve; and loved it! it follows the story of a girl called miri as she is forced to enroll in the princess academy with many others. the girls must prepare for the prince to choose a bride. the mountain girls are un-educated and struggle to learn. although miri is unfairly punished in the first part of the book, she stays in at break to study (a good role model). kids who are as young as seven can read this book, but probably won't want to. great for kids!
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
Great for tweens, and teens, and Mom's to read to younger daughters
I read this because my daughter was reading it. I really enjoyed it myself. I especially liked how they had a community with seemingly little power come together to show courage and overwhelming protection and love when needed.
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
Love it
I love Shannon Hale and this book of hers is wonderful. Its a great fairytaleish story.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 80% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 40% | of parents say there are good role models |
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