Princess Academy by Shannon Hale is about a girl named Miri who goes to an academy to prepare for the life of royalty because her town, Mount Eskel is the home of the next princess. In the beginning, soldiers come to take all the girls who are younger than the prince to the academy because no one older than the prince can marry him. Miri does not want to go, but the soldiers have direct orders from the king, so Miri doesn’t have a choice. Once the girls get to the academy a lady is standing there to greet them and said, “I will be teaching you all here at the Princess Academy and you can call me Tutor Olana.” A few days before it was time to go visit their families, Miri said something to Olana that got her very angry. For punishment, Olana didn’t allow anyone to go back to the village and then everyone hated Miri. No one talked or played with Miri because that was their only chance to see their family before winter. While the girls went out for recess Miri stayed in and started to read some of Olana’s books. Miri found one that was interesting and took it to her dorm to read. After a couple of weeks, a girl named Britta started to talk to Miri and they became best friends. A few weeks later Olana said to the girls that she will quiz them on what they have learned and the ones who pass will be able to go to visit their family. After the quiz Olana said, “You all did horrible, but two girls passed, Miri and Katar.” Katar headed to the door but Miri stayed and said, “That isn’t fair! Everyone should be able to go and visit their family.” Then Olana got really frustrated and said, “One more word and you will have to stay with the others.” Miri thought of an idea and said, “Rabbits run!” Everyone knew what Miri was saying accept Britta because she wasn’t born at Mount Eskel. Miri’s idea was from a game they played when they were kids and it was called Wolf and Rabbit. All the girls made it safe to the village, but Olana said, “Don’t even think about coming back.” The parents were so happy to see their daughters. A festival took place on the day they returned, full of dancing and lots of fun. Will Olana let the girls return to Princess Academy? Who will be the princess? Find out by reading the book Princess Academy by Shannon Hale.
– Jamie A.