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Book of the
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May 2007
Princess
Academy
by Shannon Hale
That evening as she returned from the outhouse, Miri
halted at the sound of hushed voices coming from the front of the
academy. She took a few steps backward, easing her boots through
the hard shell of the snow. Whispering meant secrets, and it raised
a shiver of curiosity on Miri's skin. She leaned against the
wall and strained to pick words out of the quiet drone. Her own
name spoken in a whisper made her feel queasy.
"… can't stand Miri … acts like
she's so smart …" That voice belonged to Bena. "…
never like the way she hung on Peder… becoming unbearable…"
"… just lucky today," said Liana.
"She won't …!"
"She's just fourteen," said Katar,
speaking much louder than the others. "What are you worried
about?"
Bena mumbled something else. Katar snickered. "There's
no chance of that. One of the older girls will win."
"I get the idea, Katar, that you think you should be
princess," said Bena, her voice scaling higher. "But as
long as …" She returned to whispering, and Miri could
hear no more.
Miri and her family live in a small village that is perched
high on the slopes of Mount Eskel. Her father makes a meager living
working long hours in the local quarry. Miri is fourteen and is
quite small for her age (she is named after a tiny mountain flower
that grows in her area). She wonders if it is her small stature
that has kept her from working in the local rock quarry. Miri's
life takes a dramatic turn when word gets out that her village has
been selected to become the home of the future princess. The royal
edict states that all eligible girls of the village must attend
a special academy to prepare them for a royal competition …
a competition that will help the prince choose his bride. At the
academy, the girls face many challenges and unique situations as
they seek to adapt to the cultured life of those living in the lowlands
and the royal palace. When unexpected danger threatens to destroy
the academy, it is Miri who must find a way to save her classmates
and insure the future of her village and beloved family.
This synopsis was written by a San José Public Library
librarian.
Check Out More Books of the Month!
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Read On!
- Other recommended titles by Shannon Hale.
(Select any title to request it from the library's catalog)
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This page last updated June 11, 2008 by the Web Team
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