Princess Academy: Palace of Stone

Posted on May 1, 2019July 17, 2020 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Princess Academy: Palace of Stone (2012) by Shannon Hale

(second book in the series)

Miri of Mount Eskel is traveling to the city of Danland for a year to help prepare for Britta’s royal wedding and to attend the university there. Joining her are five other academy graduates and Peder. Life isn’t quite as ideal as they had all imagined it would be in the big city. The king has been demanding higher and higher tributes, the people of Danland are hungry and scared, and it seems only a matter of time before a revolution. Miri is caught between her determination for fair change and her loyalty to her best friend, the future princess. She also finds herself confused by feelings for a new admirer and her realization that her world has become bigger than her simple life on Mount Eskel.

As with all of Shannon Hale’s books, this novel is masterfully told. The humanness, courage, intelligence, and humor of Hale’s characters is endearing. Palace of Stone is definitely a weightier story than the first Princess Academy book. Our young daughter begged me to read and tell her the first book and was giddy with excitement about hearing this second one. This book definitely required a lot more edited summarizing, rather than reading. It’s a wonderful book, and I love how Miri is able to find a courageous balance to hold on to all that is important and dear to her.

Princess Academy

Posted on May 1, 2019July 17, 2020 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Princess Academy (2005) by Shannon Hale

Fourteen-year-old, Miri, lives in the small village of Mount Eskel where almost everyone works in the quarry mining a special stone called linder. Miri, who is exceptionally small for her age, has been forbidden by her father to join in quarry work. Although she has her insecurities about not being able to contribute, Miri covers them with her funny stories, carefree talk, and good-natured personality. Life is rough on the mountain, but nobody ever leaves. That is, until, one day, a delegate from the palace arrives to announce that Mount Eskel was prophesied as the location of the prince’s future bride. Now a princess academy is being set up at the base of Mount Eskel for all girls of eligible age. Not many are pleased by this news, but they must obey the king. An unfair tutor presides over the small academy, but despite a rough start, Miri proves her intelligence, determination, and bravery will change the fate of their village forever.

This book is a beautiful story that hits all the marks–friendship, courage, romance, family, learning, suspense, self-worth, community, and, yes, even a ball. I have read this book too many times to count, but I will say that when I first stumbled across it many years ago, I was hesitant. I’m wary of the “princess” culture that has bombarded our young girls in recent years and wasn’t so sure how I would feel about a book with the title, “Princess Academy.” In truth, it was the lovely folk art style of the cover that drew me to the book (which I cannot find a link to now), and I’m so glad I judged this book by its cover, because everything inside is beautiful and perfect. I’m delighted beyond belief that this is only the first of a trilogy of books, but I’ll always return to this one as my favorite. This was also the book that brought me to Shannon Hale, and for that, I am forever grateful.

You might also enjoy:
Princess Academy: The Palace of Stone
Princess Academy: The Forgotten Sisters

Do Boys Only Get to Read Half the Books?

Posted on June 30, 2018September 11, 2024 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Just read this post from one of my favorite authors, Shannon Hale. She talks about how many boys tend to feel, or are trained to feel, that they can’t read books with female leads.

“We talk about how girls get to read any book they want, but some people try to tell boys that they can only read half the books. I say that this isn’t fair,” Hale tells her school assemblies.

Ms. Hale’s article discusses the way parents and teachers talk to children about “girl” books and even the way she, as a female author, is presented. Shannon Hale’s books include The Princess Academy trilogy and The Books of Bayern (amongst many others), all with strong female leads. A book festival committee member told her, “Last week we met to choose a keynote speaker for next year. I suggested you, but another member said, ‘What about the boys?’ so we chose a male author instead.” When Ms. Hale went to speak with to a middle school recently, the teachers only invited the girls. Yet, with the last visiting author, a male, everyone was invited. What is this teaching these kids?

This post discusses many of these stereotypes we hold about boys and girls and what kinds of stories or characters they will enjoy. I like that Shannon, herself, admits to having been guilty of these assumptions. I know I’ve done it plenty of times. While I love Ms. Hale’s books, I’ve probably shied away from recommending them to boys or have added the caveat, “I think you’ll enjoy this book, EVEN THOUGH it’s about a girl.” That isn’t fair. To anyone. Some say, “It’s just a book and this is nothing to get so worked up about,” but I’m with Shannon. This kind of approach and thinking can plant the seed for toxic beliefs and assumptions. As Hale says, we’ve gotten to the point where, “A boy feels embarrassed to read a book about a girl. To care about a girl. To empathize with a girl.” This way of thinking need to change.

For a reading of this essay and a conversation about this essay, visit KidLitWomen.

“For many years now, girls have been encouraged to stake a claim to everything that is coded as masculine and to claim their right to the entire pie, not just half. Boys have that same right.”
p. 200 of The Swedish Way to Parent and Play

You might also enjoy:
Shannon Hale book list
The Swedish Way to Parent and Play
KidLitWomen

Princess Academy: The Forgotten Sisters

Posted on January 10, 2017July 5, 2020 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

The Forgotten Sisters (2015) by Shannon Hale

(third book in the series)

I’m usually a bit wary of sequels, but I couldn’t help my surprise and enthusiasm when I saw there was a 3rd book in the Princess Academy story. You know those books that suck you in from the very beginning? The ones you stay up too late reading, skipping over words (even though each word is so well-thought out) so you can see what happens next? Books you want to rush to the ending, but at the same time mourn the turning pages that are gone? Yup, that’s this one. Adventures, emotion, humor, suspense, surprises, and lots of girl power. A wonderful book to conclude the series. (Ms. Hale says it’s done, but does it have to be?) This one’s a definite re-read and a definite keeper.

Book quotes:

“Courage is not fearlessness. Courage is feeling justly afraid and yet still doing what is right.” ~remembered words of Master Filippus, Ch. 2

“Reading a book is like going on a great journey. You don’t know what’ll happen, but something is bound to change. And for me, that change has always been good.” ~Miri, ch.9

“The point of education is to learn other ways too. Don’t just assume that all you know is right. Learn more and then choose.” ~Miri, ch. 11

“All progress begins with education, and whenever war begins, education ceases.” Master Trundell’s theory, ch 24

Bella at Midnight

Posted on January 4, 2017July 5, 2020 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

~Bella at Midnight (2006) by Diane Stanley

I remember exactly where I was when I first read this, which I think is always a good sign of a great book. I must have read it (unknowingly) soon after it was published. I read the whole book on Christmas eve, unable to stop myself.

This is a wonderfully satisfying retelling of the Cinderella story. Each chapter is told from a different character’s viewpoint, unravelling the story of Bella, of two warring lands, of a friendly prince in need of rescue, and of a worthy knight who is prophesied to put an end to war.

This fairy tale has everything a reader could ask for—romance, adventure, evil stepfamily (although now we learn why), royal dances, glass slippers, heroes, and a little bit of magic. I’ve read this book too many times to count, and I get sucked in every single time. One of my absolute favorites.

~Bella at Midnight (2006)