25. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale (Children’s Fantasy) 314 p.

Miri lives on Mount Eskel, in a tiny village of stone quarriers. Forbidden by her father to work in the quarry with every other able-bodied person in the village, she feels her slight stature makes her a burden in the eyes of the community.

When the Crown Prince is instructed to choose his bride from among the girls in Miri’s village, the old tradition of the Princess Academy is revived, and every girl between twelve and eighteen is obliged to attend. Girls used to sleeping on cottage floors are taught reading, writing, and various courtly accomplishments. Miri is one smart cookie, and she learns quickly. When trouble strikes the academy, it’s up to her to save the day.

Miri’s village and the world in which it exists may be fantastic, but the reactions of Miri and the other girls to their situation are entirely believable. Some of them want to be princesses more than others, and all for their own individual reasons. Miri is clever in a way not very many book characters seem to be, using logical, deductive reasoning to solve her problems.

The ending, while not surprising or challenging in any way, was perfect for the story, with everything coming to a happy resolution without hurting the integrity of the characters or diluting their best qualities.

I will certainly be buying Shannon Hale’s other children’s books.

Pages read: 7,528

Tags: 50 Book Challenge 2008, Cardathon Challenge, Shannon Hale