Look Who's Back!

Yes!  The prodigal daughter of blogging (and of Blogger/Blogspot) has returned!  Not to say that I don’t miss Wordpress; I kind of do, actually, but this is so much easier for some reason, and so much faster.

Anywho, it feels so good to blog again, and not just doing reviews and tweeting.

Why did I switch?  Various reasons.  Again, Blogger seems faster, snappier, and more streamlined than does Wordpress.  Plus, it comes with way cooler widgets, and I have this freedom to change my blog layout and mess with the header as much as I’d like without paying!  And I also love how I can see who is reading my blog—who my fans are so I can spread the love to them as well. :)

So yes, since I did switch over, that does mean some things will change.  Easter break, unfortunately, is at the cusp of ending, but hopefully even during school I will be able to blog as often as I’d wish.  I probably won’t be doing tons and tons of reviews as I had hoped for in my Wordpress blog, but I kind of like that.  I miss regular blogging, even though I’m still kind of having blogger’s block at the moment, though I think I’m healing from it.

This is basically it: I’m back, I’m still reviewing, I’m also regular blogging (which also means you should tag me for any fun memes!  I miss those a TON), I’ll be messing around with the layout and header every so often, the name most likely won’t be changing, there are a ton of new pages to check out, cool widgets to check out on the right, and a slightly different review format (the final score is based out of fifty points.  For books, ten points come from five categories: enjoyment, originality, writing, characters, plot; for movies: enjoyment, originality, screenwriting, acting, plot; for albums: enjoyment, lasting value, songwriting, instrumentals, vocals).

See y’all around!

With much squees and hellos,

~BB/Jacqueline, the “Nerdette”

Featuring…PRIYA OF “BOOK CRUMBS”!!!!

Priya rocks. I heart this chica (and I am jealous of her. This picture is of her in New York City!! So lucky!!!!). Frankly, this bibliophilic blogger is the epitome of awesomeness. Not only is she the first Featured Blogger/Reader of NftN, but she: (1) went out of her way to contact me to be featured, and (2) despite her busy schedule, she took the time to answer my interview questions. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, PRIYA!!!!!!!!! I got the chance to ask my pal about her fantastic blog, which you should all check out (it’s quite eclectic: it includes snippets from her life and well-written book reviews to boot!), and other random and fun questions about her. Readers, new and old, behold her words of wisdom:

ON HER BLOG AND BLOGGING:

Describe your blog in a couple sentences (or a few words).

My blog, Book Crumbs, consists of Middle Grade and YA book reviews (with a few classics and children’s books thrown in); poetry and other writing; information about recent book releases, internet giveaways/contests, etc.; movie reviews (and trailers); interviews with authors and bloggers; arbitrary musings on absolutely nothing at all; and more.

How long have you been blogging?

I started blogging in 2006, but only started serious book blogging in 2008 (around fall).

How did you get started on blogging?

One of my friends, who was a published writer at age seven, told my sister and me all about blogging and showed us her blog. I thought it sounded interesting and so I started my own. At the beginning, I only posted my poems, but as time went on I started posting the weather forecast :) Then last year, I discovered some amazing book blogs and decided to focus my blog in that direction.

Do you prefer writing reviews or writing about your life/thoughts?

I like writing both! Reviews are really fun to write when I LOVE the book (or hate the book), but I also like posting pictures, poems, and random everyday stuff.

ON ALL SORTS OF RANDOMNESS:

If you could see anyone in concert,who would it be and why?

Good question… I’d love to go to a Carrie Underwood concert because I enjoy her music, but I’ve heard that Taylor Swift concerts are amazing as well (all the costume changes and everything!). ButTaylor sounds horrible singing live from what I’ve seen…

What are some of your hobbies?

Other than blogging and reading, I play the piano, write poetry, play tennis, bike and swim occasionally, travel(usually every summer), and participate in math competitions… I think that’s most of them!

If you could meet anyone–real or fictional, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Hermione Granger! It would be really fun to talk about all her classes and everything! (This is coming from the person who immediately wrote out an algebraic equation for Golpalott’s Third Law (the potions law from the sixth book which stated “the antidote for a blended poison will be equal to more than the sum of the antidotes for each of the separate components”) and researched Arithmancy to learn more about it. By the way, the Arithmancy website is REALLY cool and shockingly accurate!)

It would also be fun to meet the Gallagher Girls and see what their life is like.

If you were left alone on an island for five years, who and what would you bring with you?

If they wouldn’t mind, I would bring my friends and family. And I would bring LOTS of supplies. But assuming that all my essential needs would be automatically taken care of, I’d bring a TV, a laptop, and tons of books.

If you could have any magical power, what would it be?

Invisibility would be fun to have, and flying sounds great too. But I think I would choose reading minds. Not the kind where everyone’s thoughts are constantly plaguing me, but the kind where I could choose whose mind I want to read and zone in. I know that everyone has secrets, but there are a lot of times where I really want to know what someone is thinking!

If someone did a biopic about your life, who would you want playing you?

If possible, me. It would be weird to see someone else try to look and act like me.

If you were an animal, what kind would you be?

An eagle! I think it would be awesome to fly.

FAST FACTS ON PRIYA:

Favorite animal:

Any feline.

Favorite color:

Purple!

Favorite movie:

Hmmm… I can’t decide on a favorite, but I love animation and 3D.

Favorite book:

Don’t ask me to choose! I love so many books, and my favorites keep changing based on my mood :) Here’s the link to all of my 5-star reviews on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1964044

Favorite song of the moment:

Unapologize by Carrie Underwood

Pet peeve:

People who say one thing and then contradict themselves the next day. And then, pretend like they never said the original thing in the first place.

Oh, and people who tease others about “being too nerdy.” Grrrrr.*

Favorite TV show:

I like watching American Idol (but only after the bad contestants have been eliminated). Sometimes, I also enjoy (shhhh!) Hannah Montana and Arthur. They can both be pretty funny and entertaining.

Favorite food:

Oh wow, where to start! I like Italian, Mexican, Indian, Thai, and lots more. And for desserts: cake, brownies, cookies, ice cream, muffins, donuts, etc. I live to eat :)

Dream vacation spot:

I’ve never been to Hawaii! So I’d enjoy going there during spring, when it isn’t too hot. I’ve always wanted to go to Australia as well. And I think that it would be fun to go up to the Arctic for a month or so.

Dream job:

This keeps changing! Right now, I have absolutely no idea.

*Nerdette says: It’s okay, Priya. *pats shoulder* Only cool people are nerds. Those idiots who tease us for being nerds will never be worthy enough to be a nerd. :)

I’m going to admit though, Priya…sometimes, you freak me out. Like seriously, reading these answers, I start thinking I wrote them. Great minds sure do think alike! :D

To everyone else: want to be the next awesome person to be featured on NftN? Everyone–that is, all book nerds and nerdesses!–are invited to be featured. You don’t have to be a blogger, or an author (though both are welcomed any day!). You’ll probably have a different batch of questions–possibly with some of the one’s used in Priya’s interview mixed in. So are you cool? Then contact (see sidebar for my e-mail)!

Thanks a TON again, Priya!

New Tunes #1: Feist and Vanessa Carlton

Hope you folks had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I’m hoping to post every two or three days when I’m free, but once the week is over (*cry*) I will be doing scheduled posts (I hope) so that this blog isn’t totally dead. Woohoo! Also, be sure to check out my contests page later today! :D

Anywho, I’m sure you noticed the new font. Like it? I’m simply loving it!

Another new thing! I’m adding a new feature. I think below it says it’s called something like “Unconscious Mutterings” or whatever, but just ignore it. For now, I’m calling it “New Tunes”. Basically, I list the songs that I recently downloaded (for me, it’s iTunes. For others, it may be Napster, Limewire, Amazon, whatever; it must be DOWNLOADED, not hardcopy albums you bought from Target or Wal-Mart or Costco), and I give mini reviews for them. If you’d like to participate in this meme, just make a post called “New Tunes” (with or without a schnazzy title; I’m just always going to put the artists’ names unless I encounter a stroke of genius for the title), write about your new songs (or podcasts, apps, iTunes games, whatever), post, and come back over here and go to Mr Linky below (after saying “hello” to him, of course. I think he’s going to be my new online BFF, seriously. It’s so AWESOME!!). Be sure that you link back to my blog in your post!! If you don’t, I will bother you about that for the rest of your life!!! (Kidding, kidding…sort of. No, but really. Do it.) Now, my turn!

“1234″ by Feist from The Reminder (2007). Written by Sally Seltmann and Leslie Feist. I first heard about this song thanks to my dear friends Summermoon and Jess (love you gals!) on Twitter. At first, when I listened to it on Project Playlist, I thought it was a little too odd and quirky for my taste. But for some random reason, months later, I wanted to listen to it again and decide what I thought of it again. I guess I started liking odd and quirky, because I loved it the second time around. I simply couldn’t get it out of my head for days on end, and finally decided to buy it. SO glad I did. Loved the songwriting–pure genius. And I simply adore the jazzy-twangy sound it has to it. It’s like KT Tunstall, Norah Jones, and Alison Krauss mixed in to one song. (P.S. I have yet to watch the video that the title links to.) Score: 10/10

“Nolita Fairytale” by Vanessa Carlton from Heroes and Thieves (2007). Written by Vanessa Carlton and Stephan Jenkins. I randomly found this song on Project Playlist when I was trying to look for more Vanessa Carlton songs. The name struck me as interesting (and you all know my penchant for fairytales), and I loved it from the start! If there is an award for “Best Use of Instruments”, this should win it. I love how the piano mixes in with the funky percussion beat of the drums. The piano totally reminds me of some Internet game I used to play…I forget what’s it called, but anyway, I love everything about this song! The uneven rhythm, the poetic lyrics (Vanessa is fab at this), you name it. Go! Listen to it! Score: 10/10

“White Houses” by Vanessa Carlton from White Houses – Single (2004). Written by Vanessa Carlton and Stephan Jenkins. I found this at the same time as “Nolita Fairytale”, and I was quite eager to listen to this one, as I think it was either Anilee or Erin who had this as their tweet or their gchat status update once. From the start, I loved it. I never knew Vanessa had such a wide range with her voice, and the lyrics pretty much sell, although if you find out what it’s about it’s not very clean. I love songs that I can relate to, and this one I definitely couldn’t until the very last verse, so I actually rewrote it so that it’s cleaner–and relatable! Anyway, I thought this song really exemplified what GOOD music is about, and the kind of talent that a REAL singer should show. If there is only one song Vanessa shines in, it’s this one. Score: 10/10

“Heroes and Thieves” by Vanessa Carlton from Heroes and Thieves (2007). Written by Vanessa Carlton. Okay, one last Vanessa song! I heard this also on Project Playlist at the same time as the other two, and thought, “Wait a sec–doesn’t this sound like ‘Ordinary Day’?” And it does. But it’s…different. It’s quite set apart from “Ordinary Day”. Sure, the melody is strangely similar, but it’s such a lovely waltz-y song that it’s easy to tell the two apart and still tell that it’s a Vanessa song. I’m still trying to figure out the meaning of this song–whether it’s a pure love song, or more like a diss-the-ex-lover song–but either way, it reminds me of Robin Hood in that the speaker is having trouble distinguishing heroes and thieves. I dunno about you, but this sounds like story material to me! Score: 10/10

*The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Where I Got the Book From: I bought the paperback version with the Alison Jay illustrated cover (like the one left, except that one is a picture of the original hardcover, which I LOVE) from Barnes and Noble.

Imagine that you are a princess–you live in a luxurious palace that is filled with hundreds of servants, you can go on exciting rides on your very own horse, who is also your closest friend, any time you want. But think again: what if, even with all the riches surrounding you, you were lonely and constantly self-conscious of your actions? And, just what would you do if your own mother commanded you to marry a prince from a faraway land, a prince you’ve never even met? Or perhaps worse: what would happen if an acquaintance you trusted turned her back on you and forced you to face the troubles of lower class, the threat of death, and the possible outbreak of war?

Yikes. Talk about harsh. Well, that’s exactly what Ani, short for Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, goes through: unable to live up to her mother’s expectations of a proper Crown Princess, Ani is sent away from her home country of Kildenree to the country of Bayern, where she is to be wedded to the prince. However, her own lady-in-waiting, Selia, leads a mutiny, forcing Ani to run away from her escorts and try to stay in Bayern–but as a humble goose girl. Although her new path is tough, Ani learns valuable lessons and gains many things; for example, she learns the gift of friendship, story-telling, and communication with animals and the wind. However, when Ani discovers that Selia plots to start war with Kildenree and Bayern in order to hide her deceit, Ani knows it is about time that she takes back her rightful title and throne. But with even all her new talents, gifts, and loyal friends, will Ani succeed in bringing justice and fairness to all?

I really, really, really liked this book. I can’t say I absolutely loved it (that’s what I would say about my #1 favorite book), but it is definitely one of my favorites. Shannon Hale’s writing style shines more in this book than in any of her other works, and the simple Brothers Grimm tale was beautifully retold. Would I recommend it to someone seeking a good read? Absolutely. It is like no YA novel I have read before.

Pros: As I said before, the writing is stunning, and the lyrical style perfectly fit in with the nature-speaking concept; the character development is extremely realistic one oft forgets that this is fantasy and not historical fiction; in addition, I thoroughly enjoyed the humor inserted here and there (a few times I would recall a
hilarious scene while at school or somewhere else, and would have to really fight to stifle my giggles. In that case, I can’t even imagine how funny and comical Austenland is. ).

Cons: Even though I love the writing, sometimes I wished there was a tad bit more dialogue in some parts

Grading

Plot: 10/10

Characters: 10/10

Writing: 10/10

Originality: 10/10

Enjoyment: 9/10

Overall: 49/50

Tidbits

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction

Original Release Date: August 8, 2003

Also Recommended:

• Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
• Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
• Harry Potter (series) by J.K. Rowling

Check It Out!

• Shannon Hale’s blog, Squeetus
• The official page on Shannon Hale’s site

*Coco by Colbie Caillat

More than once, you’ve probably heard that song on the radio; you know, that one that goes “And it starts in my toes/And I crinkle my nose…” Well, one day, we were driving in the car, and that song came up–that song I’d heard a billion times but never knew the title of. “Don’t you have that song on your iPod?” my mom asks. “No,” I replied, but I guess she supposed so because (1) we’ve heard it so many times and (2) it sort of seemed like the kind of song I’d listen to. Well, a few weeks later, I heard that song again on TV, and just had to look it up. What do you know? It’s this little song called “Bubbly” (that word being mentioned only once in the whole song), and, not long after, I bought the album. It was a debut album of a new artist from my own state of California, Colbie Caillat, and boy, was I greatly impressed! Unlike most debut albums, it was a solid start for the rising guitar-playing star. Just take a look at my comments on each song below:

*1. Oxygen (Colbie Caillat/Jason Reeves): such a beautiful song from start to finish. Much like when you read a really good book with a fantastic start, this song makes you want to listen to the other tracks. The tune actually sounds as light as oxygen. Love it. Score: 10/10

*2. The Little Things (Colbie Caillat/Jason Reeves): after listening to a breezy tune, leans more towards R&B. I myself am not a big fan of that genre, but this song was so rhythmic and neat to listen to. Score: 10/10

3. One Fine Wire (Colbie Caillat/Mikal Blue/Jason Reeves): after two such strong songs, this one seemed a little too weak to me. Perhaps if this wasn’t sandwiched between two hits, I would have preferred it. What I did like about it was that it did have a sort of “lilt” that it seemed like you really were trying to balance on one fine wire (if that didn’t make sense, go listen to it).Score: 8/10

*4. Bubbly (Colbie Caillat/Jason Reeves): obviously, this is the hit that I was talking about in my introduction. “Bubbly” has such a light, flowy, catchy, and sometimes even a bouncy tune. I absolutely love this song, period. Score:10/10

5. Feelings Show (Colbie Caillat/Mikal Blue/Jason Reeves): I wasn’t a huge fan of this song, perhaps because it, like “One Fine Wire”, was sandwiched between two really great songs. The tune was a bit too uneven to fit on this album; the verses are really slow, and then the chorus suddenly gets quite fast that it doesn’t really fit the song too well; however, Colbie’s vocals are still as solid as ever in this track as in any of the others. Score: 8/10

*6. Midnight Bottle (Colbie Caillat/Jason Reeves): I loved this song! The beginning has a jazzy touch to it, and it did sound “night-ish” (that’s the best way I can explain it; just go listen to it!). Like “Bubbly”, it also has a light and flowy tune that’s enjoyable to listen to. Score: 9/10

*7. Realize (Colbie Caillat/Mikal Blue/Jason Reeves): The first time I listened to it was on the computer, and, well, maybe the computer sound wasn’t that great and I maybe I wasn’t really listening, but I didn’t care for it that much, especially right after listening to “Bubbly”. But when I listened to it on my CD player and iPod, I found how amazing this song is. It has a melancholy yet hopeful tune, and has such a pretty acoustic sound. The chorus is quite catchy as well. Score: 10/10

*8. Battle (Colbie Caillat/Mikal Blue): Sometimes background vocals are unnecessary and get too corny. Some might say the same for “Battle”. OK, before I explain, let’s back up a little. The introduction I loved. It reminded me of the soundtrack to the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Then the song shifts from classical to pop to classical and so one throughout the rest of the song. I enjoyed listening to this one, and, the background vocals (which are also Colbie, by the way) were still amazing. Even though they kept repeating until the end, they didn’t get overly annoying. Awesome, neat track. Score: 10/10

9. Tailor Made (Colbie Caillat/Jason Reeves): At this track, the album’s sturdiness starts to slow. Yes, this track was peppy, but it didn’t sound very “Colbie-ish”. I like this song, but it’s just not my favorite from the CD. Score:9/10

10. Magic (Colbie Caillat/Jason Reeves): Not sure if anyone else experienced this when listening to Coco, but this sounded like a repeat of “Bubbly”–a sort of slower, lighter, less pop and more acoustic remix of the hit. I kind of hoped for something a little fresher (but of course, still having the Colbie sound to it), but was slightly disappointed by this track. Don’t get me wrong, “Magic” is still a great song, but it wasn’t my favorite. Score: 8/10

11. Tied Down (Colbie Caillat/Jason Reeves): This was a pretty neat song; everytime I hear it, it reminds me of a lazy sunset on a Hawaiian beach (ok, maybe it’s because of the ukelele in the song). It was also a little uneven, with the slow verses and the a-tad-bit-too-peppy chorus. Not a Score-10 to get an asterisk, but still pretty good for a song that’s towards the end. Score:9/10

12. Capri (Colbie Caillat): This is such a sweet song about a mother expecting her child, and a sweet way to end Coco. “Capri” wasn’t my favorite, but it was still a very beautiful song. In fact, it reminds me of something I read that was written by a friend–a friend who actually was the first to recommend me Colbie’s music (thanks, Faith!  ) Score: 9/10

Red Flags: As Common Sense Media can tell you, some song lyrics depict some romantic scenes.

Grading:

Vocals: 10/10 (Colbie has such a unique voice and such an equally unique style with her music!)

Instrumentals: 10/10

Songwriting: 10/10 (Fantastic songwriting, and it’s even cooler that Colbie herself wrote or co-wrote most of them. What an amazing singer-songwriter!)

Lasting Value: 10/10 (It’s not easy to tire of this album. There was one point where I listened to Coco twice a day. Seriously.)

Enjoyment: 10/10

Overall: 50/50 (One of my favorites from my CD collection, definitely.)

Tidbits:

Producers: Mikal Blue, Ken Caillat, Colbie Caillat, Jason Reeves

Genre: Pop, folk-pop, acoustic, surf pop, blue-eyed soul, adult contemporary

Record Label: Universal Republic

Release Date: July 17, 2007

Length: 48:10

Also Recommended:

·         Eye to the Telescope by KT Tunstall

·         Feels Like Home by Norah Jones

·         Taylor Swift by Taylor Swift

Check It Out!

·         Colbie Caillat’s official site

·         Wikipedia

*Ratatouille

How I Watched the Movie: I first saw it at the movie theater when it came out with a classmate and her mother (it was so sweet of them to invite me along with them!). I loved it so much and my mom bought it for us on DVD (to keep) from Costco.

Imagine that you are a talented chef, with the sharpest nose ever to pick out only the best ingredients for your entrees. You dishes are exquisite, and you have a gift for cooking that can't be found anywhere. But wait! There are just a couple "little" problems: (1) most of your family members are against your dream career, and (2) you are a rat.

This is the story of a little grey rat name Remy (Patton Oswalt), who lives in the French countryside outside of Paris. He can sniff out the best ingredients to create wonderful, savory dishes, but this is a secret he must guard from the rest of his family--except for his older brother, Emile (Peter Sohn)--because of their disapproval of human activities such as, well, cooking. In fact, Remy isn't acknowledged for much, besides having the talent of sniffing out rat poison in the trash that his kinsmen eat. But it's when he and his family are chased out of their home by the old lady whose home they live above that Remy gets the chance he's been waiting for. Through a sewer, the rat reaches Paris, and, with the help of his conscience, which is in the form of his late culinary role model, Chef Auguste Gusteau (Brad Garrett), he reaches the said chef's restaurant. It just so happens that on that same day, a young man named Alfredo Linguini (Lou Romano), whose mother was a friend of the late chef, comes to Gusteau's for work. Since he has no culinary experience, Gusteau's former sous-chef, Skinner (Ian Holm), hires him to be the garbage boy. As Remy watches the restaurant go about its business, he spots Linguini spilling some soup and trying to cover up his mistake by adding in random ingredients. Remy accidentally falls into the restaurant through the skylight, but before he escapes, he can't resist but to fix the ruined soup. Linguini catches Remy in the act, and before Remy knows it, he's created a delicious soup that a well-known food critic savors. Skinner decides to hire Linguini as a cook, but when the kitchen staff realizes a rat is in the kitchen, Linguini is put in charge of getting rid of Remy. Since Remy saved Linguini's job, the former garbage boy keeps the rat and the two make a deal to work together and make it appear as if Linguini is cooking...although Remy is really the one doing the work. But when Linguini's fame grows practically overnight, does that mean that his secret will be undercover forever? And will Remy get to make his culinary dreams come true in the end? Also stars Janeane Garofalo, Peter O'Toole, Brian Dennehy, Will Arnett, James Remar, John Ratzenberger, Teddy Newton, Brad Bird, and Thomas Keller.

One should never doubt the quality of a Pixar movie, especially if it's one that was nominated five times at the Oscars. Ratatouille had every good thing a movie should have: comedy, action, a bit of romance, and a cast of fun characters. What more can you ask for? In addition, the screen writing was done wonderfully. One of my favorite quotes from the movies was when Remy tells his father, Django, “Change is nature, Dad. The part that we can influence. And it starts when we decide.”

Pros: First of all, the animation is breath-taking, as is the usual Pixar fashion. Although it is animated, you feel as if you are right there, or as if the characters are real--even the rats. Part of this is based on the animation itself, but another part of it is also the storyline. And what's not to love about a cute little rat who can cook? I could go on forever and ever listing pros of this movie, but let's put it this way: right beside (not next to) Finding Nemo, this movie is my favorite Pixar film.

Cons: There are cons? There are cons?! No, really, I simply can't think of any. Set one forth to me, and I'll probably shoot it down.

Red Flags: As stated by Common Sense Media, there's some intense action (not in the least bit graphic, though), a bit of romance, some attempts to curse, and some wine-drinking since, after all, it is France.

Grading

Plot: 10/10

Acting: 10/10

Screenwriting: 10/10

Originality: 10/10

Enjoyment: 10/10

Overall: 10/10

Tidbits

Original Release Date: June 28, 2007

Length: 111 mins

Directors: Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava

Producer: Brad Lewis

Screenwriter: Brad Bird (story by Jane Pinkava, Jim Capoblanco, Brad Bird, Emily Cook, Kathy Greenberg)

Distribution Company: Walt Disney PIctures, Pixar Animation Studios

MPAA Rating: G

Also Recommended

• Finding Nemo (2003)
• The Incredibles (2004)
• Spirited Away (2002)

Check It Out!

• Official
• Wikipedia
• Yahoo!
• IMDb profile
• Rotten Tomatoes

*Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Where I Got the Book: Bought the paperback version from Barnes and Noble in 2007.

Everyone who has been or is a teenager has to admit it: one of the most trial times of your life is in your mid- and early teens. If you think about it, these are the times when you have the most conflicts in your life--those with family, friends, neighbors, and probably the greatest, with yourself. Young adult fiction writer Shannon Hale takes a look at these same conflicts. Though the main character of the novel Princess Academy lived in an entirely fictional, made-up time and place, she faces, accomplishes, and learns the same things that we have done and do. If you haven't read this novel yet, it's about time you pick it up the next time you visit the library or bookstore. There is much to learn this wonderful tale of young adulthood. Miri Larendaughter has been living in Danland's quarry mountain village, Mt. Eskel, for all her fourteen years. While her widower Pa and older sister Marta head to the quarry to carve out the valuable linder, Miri tends her family goats, as she is forbidden from quarry work. She is convinced that she is of no use to the village, until, one day, it is announced that Mt. Eskel is the home of the Prince's bride, and all young ladies, from 12 to 17, are to be taught and disciplined in an academy. Here, Miri encounters several obstacles, including the cruelty of their tutor, Olana, and the unkindness of the other academy girls. Tutor Olana teaches the girls reading, writing, conversation, poise, and diplomacy to name a few, but her discipline is harsh, as she slaps the girls' palms at the slightest misbehaviors, and locks them in a dark closet if they stand up for themselves. Miri learns her own gifts, and is especially recognized by Prince Stefan himself. But does Miri really want to marry the prince and become a lowlander for life, or should she stay in her mountain village where here childhood friend is? I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! Although it is a work of fantasy, all is brought to life by the fantastic lyrical writing. There is a reason why this is a Newbery Honor book, though I personally believe that this should have won the Newbery Medal.

Pros: The writing, the characters, the setting, the quarry songs at the beginning of every chapter--everything about this book is wonderful.

Cons: Honestly can't think of any, except maybe the title might seem irksome to a few who will stay away from it thinking it's a fluffy, princess-y or fairy book. If you've read other reviews, you'll be sick and tired of hearing that it isn't. I'll be the one-thousandth person to tell you it's not.

Red Flags: As stated by Common Sense Media, a teeny-tiny bit of violence: fighting, murder, and a death. Nothing terribly graphic though.

Grading

Plot: 10/10

Characters: 10/10

Writing: 10/10

Originality: 10/10

Enjoyment: 10/10

Overall: 50/50

Tidbits

Genre: Fantasy, Juvenile Fiction, Young Adult Fiction

Original Release Date: July 6, 2005

Also Recommended:

• The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
• Half Magic by Edward Eager
• The Legend of Holly Claus by Brittney Ryan

Check It Out!

• Shannon Hale's blog, Squeetus
• The official page on Shannon Hale's site