Book Description

“Shannon Hale’s books blow me away. When I read them I get lost in the magic—her stories are magic.” –Stephenie Meyer, author of Twilight

"Shannon Hale writes deft, lyrical, wonderful fantasy." ―Holly Black, author of Tithe and The Spiderwick Chronicles

"When it comes to contemporary classics, Shannon Hale has the makings of someone whose books will be read and reread for decades to come.” —The 2006 Newbery Committee

«"An unalloyed joy." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"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." —Teenreads.com

“[A] magical read!” —Discovery Girls

“The most compelling, believable, poignant love story I have read in many a year.” —Orson Scott Card

“Hale nicely interweaves feminist sensibilities in this quest-for-a-prince-charming, historical-fantasy tale. Strong suspense and plot drive the action as the girls outwit would-be kidnappers and explore the boundaries of leadership, competition, friendship, and support.” —Booklist

★“The story is much like the mountains, with plenty of suspenseful moments that peak and fall, building into the next intense event. Miri discovers much about herself, including a special talent called quarry speak, a silent way to communicate. She uses this ability in many ways, most importantly to save herself and the other girls from harm. 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 imaginative setting for the story makes it timeless and universal. . . . This new classic will have a place with leisure readers and in the classroom.” —VOYA

“Princess Academy is a delightful read with everything you need in a good fantasy book: action, adventure, romance—and a good kidnapping. . . . Hale’s writing places you in the book, so you feel you can relate. The plot seems predictable, like any other book of its genre, but it has a twist that sets it apart and makes it all the more enjoyable.” —VOYA, teen reader

“Miri’s culture is deftly drawn; snippets from the quarriers’ working songs lead each chapter, and the harsh yet beautiful physical and cultural details of Miri’s world keep this optimistic tale believable. This could be a useful introduction to fantasy for realistic buffs—the authentic sniping and backbiting of jealous girls cooped up together for a year, the character-driven plot, and the vigorous prose will carry readers of all kinds into the center of the story.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“A truly marvelous book, rich with color, adventure and romance.” —Buffalo News

“For me, Shannon’s work is inspiring and beautifully written, filled with deep images. Readers will not regret reading this book.”—Salt Lake Tribune

“With this . . . poetically insightful writing, the reader is will enjoy following Miri and her journey to self-acceptance.” —The Pilot

“Hale is an extraordinary narrative writer who creates characters with whom the reader can relate. . . . Hale's career can only be enhanced by this book, and since she is as energetic as she is skillful, there are bound to be many more Shannon Hale books.”—Desert Morning News

“ ‘Not another princess book,’ thought Ann Seaton, manager of Hicklebee's in San Jose, when she picked up this book. Disney movies and Meg Cabot's The Princess Diaries have spawned a whole genre of fast-selling tales of ordinary girls who turn out to be princesses. But Seaton found Hale's story to be ‘an unusual take’ on the theme. ‘It's different, and really a great read,’ she says.” —San Jose Mercury News

“The Princess Academy is a perfect chapter book for older elementary or middle school kids. . . . The story is set in a mountaintop village, where heavy snows, a wicked tutor and brutal bandits combine to make a satisfying tale with an even more satisfying ending.” —The Post and Courier

“Kids will adore this sophisticated modern fairy tale with a prince, nasty academy mistresses, and bitter competition to be the princess woven together with Hale’s incredible gift for storytelling.” —Kern County Family Magazine