lesfleursmonet's review against another edition
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
kimberlydyer's review against another edition
5.0
This book was absolutely lovely! Though, that really isn’t surprising considering that it won a Newbery Honor in 2006.
Whenever a Prince of Danland becomes eligible for marriage, the priests divine what territory the future princess will come from. This time, they divine that she will come from Mt. Eskel, an outlying mining province that is typically left out. The Princess Academy that is customarily set up for a year after the divination is normally just a formality, but this time, the mining girls of Mt. Eskel will need every day of that year to prepare for the ball at which the Prince will select his Princess.
Miri, a 14-year-old girl, lives in the province of Mt. Eskel with her father and older sister. Normally a girl her age works in the mines, but her father won’t allow her to, and she doesn’t know why. Instead, she works in the house, making the dinner and tending the goats. Not being allowed in the mines makes her feel left out from the village and useless.
When she goes to the academy, though, she learns a lot about the other girls in the village and her own abilities and talents. Miri learns that she has something to contribute.
When Miri eventually learns why her father refuses to let her into the mines, my heart broke. It was a beautiful example of how sometimes parents unintentionally hurt their children although they love them with every fiber of their being and are only doing their best to protect them.
The story is simple but splendid. The characters are absolutely relatable and I love every one of them, even the more obnoxious ones. The writing is delicious, and the character development is so real. I cannot praise this novel enough!
Princess Academy is a delightful story about a young girl learning the value of herself, not only within the community, but simply as being who she is. Miri learns how to follow her heart and her instincts and figures out who she is and what she wants. I wish I had read this book when I was in middle school.
Review originally posted on The Stories We Read.
Whenever a Prince of Danland becomes eligible for marriage, the priests divine what territory the future princess will come from. This time, they divine that she will come from Mt. Eskel, an outlying mining province that is typically left out. The Princess Academy that is customarily set up for a year after the divination is normally just a formality, but this time, the mining girls of Mt. Eskel will need every day of that year to prepare for the ball at which the Prince will select his Princess.
Miri, a 14-year-old girl, lives in the province of Mt. Eskel with her father and older sister. Normally a girl her age works in the mines, but her father won’t allow her to, and she doesn’t know why. Instead, she works in the house, making the dinner and tending the goats. Not being allowed in the mines makes her feel left out from the village and useless.
When she goes to the academy, though, she learns a lot about the other girls in the village and her own abilities and talents. Miri learns that she has something to contribute.
When Miri eventually learns why her father refuses to let her into the mines, my heart broke. It was a beautiful example of how sometimes parents unintentionally hurt their children although they love them with every fiber of their being and are only doing their best to protect them.
The story is simple but splendid. The characters are absolutely relatable and I love every one of them, even the more obnoxious ones. The writing is delicious, and the character development is so real. I cannot praise this novel enough!
Princess Academy is a delightful story about a young girl learning the value of herself, not only within the community, but simply as being who she is. Miri learns how to follow her heart and her instincts and figures out who she is and what she wants. I wish I had read this book when I was in middle school.
Review originally posted on The Stories We Read.
emilyan's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
katiechu's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
k_k2023's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lissajean7's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it when I read it for myself. Loved it again as I re-read it to my children. My 8yo adored it, my 5-6yos were bored at times. They might just not have been old enough for it.
pandacat42's review against another edition
5.0
Love, love, love! What a sweet book. This is one of my new favorites. The main character just blossoms in this book. She is smart, caring, and creative. I love how she goes about solving her problems. She is a wonderful friend once she opens up to others.
natcommon's review against another edition
4.0
Shannon Hale has such beautiful and well written stories, but the endings just drag a bit for my liking.
jamby4546's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
smaugerella's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
4.75
Wow, I…loved this.