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(More customer reviews)This is a wonderful account of a woman's journey for adolesence to adulthood. This is a must read.
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Showing posts with label inspirational. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspirational. Show all posts
The Colors of a Woman Review
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(More customer reviews)This is a wonderful account of a woman's journey for adolesence to adulthood. This is a must read.
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The Mitford Bedside Companion: A Treasury of Favorite Mitford Moments, Author Reflections on the Bestselling Series, and More, Much More Review
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(More customer reviews)This is a kind of omnibus volume of all the "best parts" of the series, which I've enjoyed as it developed. I can see its pleasure for someone who might lack the stamina to reread the entire series--a shut-in, perhaps. Also, its portability is nice for those of us who read while waiting. Really, it is as refreshing as a visit to familiar country--just the nicest kind of reunion!
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A must-have companion to the bestselling series Jan Karon's Mitford Years series is a publishing phenomenon that, since 1996, has sold more than twenty-five million books and attracted millions of devoted readers around the world. With the series now complete, Karon's fans have raced through nine novels—and then sat down and read them again and again. For all those who love returning to Mitford, this gorgeously packaged companion will be the perfect book to curl up with. What was that Uncle Billy joke about the census taker? Where was that beautiful prayer Father Tim offered? The Mitford Bedside Companion will make it easy to find the greatest of the countless gems that grace each of Karon's novels. Featuring favorite scenes, casts of characters, Mitford crossword puzzles, plus a hilarious read- aloud scene and lots of trivia questions for fan gatherings and family get-togethers, and much, much more, The Mitford Bedside Companion is an enchanting collection. Here, too, are new essays from Karon on everything from the life of a writer to her grandmother's secret to good health. Beautifully packaged and filled with eye-catching art, The Mitford Bedside Companion is a book that any fan will cherish, relishing favorite scenes from each book and, in one volume, fondly reliving the best times spent in the little town with the big heart.
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A Sweetness to the Soul (Dreamcatcher Series #1) Review
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(More customer reviews)Living in Oregon and loving it, I was finally able to connect with the true spirit and life of early Oregon. Jane Kirkpatrick brings this story to the very core of my soul. I actually felt like I was there in the Deschutes with Jane Shearer and the Warm Spring tribe she shared her life with and to the amazing feats that her husband,Joesph,set in the early west. The stama of the early pioneers to have trials, tribulations and yet strong faith to make the West the best of living. Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down. It definetley was not a slow read for me. This part of Oregon is on my list to visit, though, it won't look the same, I'm sure that I will feel the spirit of all the characters gathered in that valley. After reading this book, I could not stop. Next came All Together In One Place, and A Gathering of Finches. I am just now starting Love to Water My Soul..I hope that Jane Kirkpatrick keeps the "sweetness" of her writing coming and coming..I love historical fiction of this kind.
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Based on historical characters and events, A Sweetness to the Soul recounts the captivating story of young, spirited Oregon pioneer Jane Herbert who at the age of twelve faces a tragedy that begins a life-long search for forgiveness and love. In the years that follow, young Jane finds herself involved in an unusual and touching romance with a dreamer sixteen years her senior, struggles to make peace with an emotionally distant mother, and fights to build a family of her own. Filled with heart-warming insight and glimpses of real-life pain, A Sweetness to the Soul paints a brilliant picture of love that conquers all obstacles and offers a powerful testimony to the miracle of God's healing power.
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The Lawyer's Song: Navigating the legal wilderness Review
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(More customer reviews)I've been an attorney for 22 years and I took away a great deal from this book. In addition to his insights regarding the attorney-client relationship, which are illustrated through a parallel story of a woman's search for her pioneer husband, Mr. Duvall displayed an indepth knowledge of Oregon geography and history. The combination made this book a fast and easy read which left a lasting impression on me. I recommend it to anyone interested in the practice of law and in the study of human dynamics.
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A Light in the Window (The Mitford Years, Book 2) Review
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(More customer reviews)This book was every bit as delightful as At Home in Mitford, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. Jan Karon has created the perfect small town in which we would all like to live, and it is a joy to visit there, even if only for a little while. Esther Cunningham, the mayor of Mitford, says that Mitford always takes care of its own, and I think that is what we all love about the place. It's a place where the community love God and love their neighbors, with all their faults and eccentricities. It is also wonderful to read a about romance between mature adults Father Tim and Cynthia. I applauded Karon's way of communicating Christian values without hitting us over the head with them. I always leave Mitford a little more aware and a little more kindly disposed toward my own neighbors. If only we could create such a community in the real world.
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Her Forever Cowboy (Love Inspired) Review
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(More customer reviews)I've found a new back series that I'll be looking to get my hands on. I did read one of this series in the past and thought it was just okay, but giving a chance with a second book I've decided to check out the others in the series. Men of Mule Hollow is a new extended series from Debra Clopton that continues from her previous books the Mule Hollow series. Several of her former characters are written within the pages of Her Forever Cowboy. As I haven't read the previous books, I can say that it isn't necessary to enjoy this book if you haven't read the others. That said, after reading this book I'll be checking out Amazon to see if I can find the previous books.
Her Forever Cowboy tells the story of Cole Turner. Running from his past, Cole spends his days away from Mule Hollow helping victims of hurricanes rebuild their homes. He sees this as his gift to help other people get their dreams back after tragedy has struck them. When his eldest brother calls him home he is almost run down by Mule Hollow's newest resident.
Susan is up late three nights in a row after tending to the local ranches cattle needs. The veterinarian has worked very had to get where she is today and she isn't about to let some roaming cowboy tell her what to do. Susan is looking for a man who wants to settle down and help her raise a family and support her way of life. Too bad the only one she is interested in is Cole, because Cole can't wait to finish up his responsibilities and head back on the road where he can be safe from his own misery.
This is a nicely written series that gives an inspirational message without getting too preachy. The hero and the heroine are both interesting and real. The supporting cast is interesting and amusing and seem to have interesting stories of their own to tell. Most are already in previous books by the author. Her Forever Cowboy is the first in the Men of Mule Hollow series.
Description:
Mule Hollow, Texas, is chock-full of handsome cowboys ready to say "I do." So veterinarian Susan Worth moves in, dreaming of meeting Mr. Right. He's most certainly not the gorgeous rescue worker blazing through town on a motorcycle. Cole Turner is a sixth-generation Mule Hollow rancher, but he's all about roaming Texas to save everyone but himself. The hurt hidden deep inside his heart keeps him from settling down. But Susan is determined--and knows just how--to make him her forever cowboy.
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Horse Tales from Heaven: Reflections Along the Trail with God Review
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(More customer reviews)After trying college in an urban environment, Rebecca Ondov walked away, finding her career --- and her place --- in the mountain wilderness of Montana. First hired as a ranch cook, she quickly agreed to "training 19 wild mules and 1 wild horse." She is soon out on the trails, setting up camp and cooking for wranglers and hunters, loading and leading pack mules, praying away grizzly bears... I leave other laborious jobs to your imagination. Not being a farm girl, camper, hunter, or horse lover, I sometimes got lost in the wilderness vocabulary. (For others like me, an illustrated glossary is provided.) It's just very clear that Ondov chose a physically demanding job that she generally seemed to relish, despite its freezing temperatures and perilous terrain. She worked in the wilderness for 15 years, two of them as a ranger and inspector for the Forest Service, traveling alone by horseback from camp to camp.
That's the setting for Ondov's book of more than 50 devotionals, each a self-contained story with a strong spiritual/moral point. (There's nothing subtle about the "take-away" element.) At the end, she includes a very forthright evangelistic presentation.
The book is best read as it's intended --- as a devotional, one story per day, rather than as a sit-down, read-straight-through narrative. My favorite stories are about the animals she cares for and who sometimes care for her --- horses, colts, mules, donkeys, dogs --- and about learning to work as a member of a team, pulling together for a common purpose. Anyone intending to go on a wilderness hunt or wrangling trip might want to read Ondov's reflections to see her perspective of what makes for a good ranch guest --- or not.
The book is most engaging toward the end, where Ondov and her ranch team are surrounded by forest fires. All survive, but there is tension in their precariously riding and eventually walking (the horses are too skittish to mount) through blackened forest where the trails are impassable because of sink holes and fallen trees.
Ondov's publisher, Harvest House, has also released a hardcover, gift edition of HORSE TALES FROM HEAVEN. It includes fewer "chapters," which are not presented as devotionals (with an opening Scripture verse and closing prayer). Every spread features a full-color realistic painting of horses by Chris Cummings. Sometimes a horse is posed grazing alone; sometimes a pack is running through a forest, snow, or stream. Pages are also decorated with inspirational quotations from a wide variety of sources --- from Plutarch to Dale Evans Rogers. A Mexican Proverb reads: "It is not enough for a man to learn how to ride; he must learn how to fall." The Ondov text chosen for this edition focuses more on horses and less on wranglers or wilderness life. This larger, trim-size gift edition is better suited for teenagers who take riding lessons and live in outer suburbs far from Montana.
--- Reviewed by Evelyn Bence
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More than 4.6 million Americans own horses or are directly involved in horse-related industries. And country living is enjoying a huge revival today. Horsewoman Rebecca Ondov reaches out to outdoor enthusiasts with dynamic stories of God's faithfulness and protection.Drawing on 15 years of living 'in the saddle" guiding pack trips and working as a wilderness ranger, Rebecca takes readers into the mountains and down rugged trails to see God at work. Vignettes include'a night-blind horse and pack mule's unusual relationshipa horse, a dog, and a cowgirl surviving a violent storma horse camp tale about one animal's cure for snoringa frisky cayuse and an early morning chasea sleepless night guarding horses in grizzly countryThese western stories use real-life adventures to point readers to their greatest resource for love, provision, and care-Jesus.
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Small-Town Brides: A Dry Creek Wedding\A Mule Hollow Match (Love Inspired) Review
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(More customer reviews)First, I would like to say I have read all the Dry Creek AND all the Mule Hollow Series and I have ABSOLUTELY loved them. I was looking so very forward to reading this book with this joint venture ... but in my opinion I felt they both fell a bit short. I enjoyed Debra Clopton's Mule Hollow novella better however, I never could get attached to Rene in the Dry Creek novella. It starts out with these two cousin's that have a dream of marrying and living next door to each other... Rene has fallen in love with Trace (who ends up being the love interest in the Mule Hollow novella) to find out he just wants a mother for his ophaned niece that he just has gotten custody of and doesn't quite know what to do with. For some reason I never can get emotionally tied to Rene, I actually like Clay better but still never can get quite into this book try as hard as I can. Even though we meet back up with Glory and her husband it just doesn't to me have the emotional connection the other books have had. I realize the other review gave it a glowing review and I wish I could have as well, I ABSOLUTELY have LOVED this series .but to me it missed!
Now, on to the Dry Creek novella .... Trace (the scum in the first novella) is the main character in this book which made it a bit of a stretch for me to like him to begin with in this book as we were told what a jerk he was over and over, but you can't help end up feeling so very sorry for the poor guy. And, in my opinion, I connect much easier with him than with Rene in the first one. Now, here we go again ... I had more trouble connecting with Paisley than I did with Trace, as they were falling in love ... I don't know what was the matter with me while I was reading these novellas .... I adore these series!!!!! I have read every single book in these series and LOVED most of them and enjoyed them all ... but maybe due to the length of them the depth was just not there for me ... I do not know!!! I DO KNOW THAT my heart broke for Zoey, the little orphaned niece ...and my heart went out for ALL that Trace was trying to do for her and felt how frightened he was that he could not or might not get it right. Now, in my opinion this is what made this novella so much better ... again, even though we revisited a number of the previous characters throughout this it just was not the same. I have read many other novellas and have not felt this way in the past... just felt these were a bit rushed ... probably me, but I can't help the way I feel ... it will NOT stop me from reading future books in either of these series as I have grown to love many of the characters in these towns.
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A Dry Creek Wedding by Janet TronstadWhen her neighbor proposes a "practical" marriage, romantic Rene Mitchell throws the ring in his face. Fleeing Texas for Montana, Rene rides with trucker Clay Preston. Clay doesn't believe in romance...until Rene changes his mind!A Mule Hollow Match by Debra CloptonTrace Crawford broke Paisley Norton's cousin's heart--so Paisley thinks he deserves whatever trouble he gets! Yet Trace really is lost when it comes to caring for his new niece. Paisley's got a soft heart for children...and for adorably clueless cowboys, too.--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.
Meeting Her Match (Mule Hollow Matchmakers, Book 5) Review
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(More customer reviews)Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques
Sheri Marsh is perfectly happy being a confirmed bachelorette and has no plans to give up her single status. Besides, as many divorces as her parents have between them, if anyone knows why getting married is a bad idea, it's Sheri. But the matchmaking posse of Mule Hollow have set their sights on Sheri and are determined to find her a suitable husband, whether Sheri wants it or not.
Sheri decides the only way to get the women to leave her alone is to trick them into thinking she's already got a boyfriend. Pace Gentry, new man in town seems like the perfect candidate for her scheme. Only a couple problems... he's a new Christian who is dead set against the deception Sheri wants to play and he just happens to find Sheri to be the most insufferable woman he's ever met!
God works in mysterious ways and soon Sheri and Pace will have to accept that He has a plan for them and it includes their being together.
Meeting Her Match was my first introduction to the writing of Debra Clopton and I enjoyed it quite a bit. I found my way into this series somewhere in the middle but that did not affect my enjoyment of the story. While some of the other characters obviously had their stories told in preceding books in the series, enough back story was given about them that I felt like I got to know them just enough for their occurrences in this book.
I thought Sheri was a little too stubborn for her own good, but then considering her family history it's only natural she's afraid of marriage after what her parents put her through. I never quite grasped the logic behind her scheme to get back at the matchmakers in town since it seemed to me her plans would have the opposite results from what she intended.
Sheri also struggled with her faith in God as a result of her past. She believed god didn't care about her or He'd answer her prayers. She had a sadly skewed opinion that God only cares about the devout Christians. Pace is a "baby" Christian and his new faith in God really makes a difference in his life. I think the newness of Pace's acceptance of God makes quite an impact on Sheri and if not for pace, Sheri may not have come around when she did. I cheered wholeheartedly when Sheri finally comes to understand God and renews her faith, which allows her to accept Pace into her life fully.
© Kelley A. Hartsell, March 2008. All rights reserved.
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Next Door Daddy (Mule Hollow Matchmakers, Book 7) Review
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(More customer reviews)Pollyanna McDonald relocates to a small town in Texas, hoping to start a successful bed-and-breakfast. And hoping to restart her life that stalled with the death of her husband.
Rancher Nate Talbert knows it's time to move past the death of his wife... but it's hard to start liking someone else when you've got a big hole in your heart. Plus the women in town are man-crazy and he's not too sure he likes that characteristic in a woman. When Nate comes to his new neighbor's rescue (more than once!) and he invites Polly's son to learn farm chores on his ranch, he feels the hard edges of his heart start to soften. But both he and Polly have know loss before... do they have the capacity to find love in each other?
Clopton's Texas charm invites the reader to "come on in" to the story and relax in these pages. Peppered with humor, readers will enjoy a gentle laugh while also falling in love with the characters.
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When rancher Nate Talbert asked for a miracle to change his reclusive life, he wasn't sure he meant Pollyanna McDonald. The city woman, her eight-year-old daredevil and menagerie of unruly pets had moved next door, driving him crazy. But he was surprised to learn how much he and the widow had in common...and how much they were drawn to each other. Then, too, Pollyanna's son was sorely in need of a father figure. But Nate a dad? Pollyanna gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up, but proving it to Nate would take a real miracle!--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.
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Texas Ranger Dad (Mule Hollow Matchmakers, Book 10) Review
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(More customer reviews)Rose Vincent has led a hard life. She's been through it all--seeing a murder, witness protection, then getting stuck with a wife beater for a husband, living in shelters and moving she and her son all over the country just to stay hidden. Now her life is finally on track and an idea for a better life for she and her son. Just when everything is going well an old flame comes back into her life and she isn't exactly pleased to see him. Zane walked out on her without even saying goodbye 14 years ago, leaving her pregnant and on her own at a time when she was terrified.
Zane has finally realized he has to make up for his past mistakes where Rose is concerned. He tracks her down to a little town in Texas. Now all he has to do is convince her to forgive him and the two of them can go on and live happily ever after. He should have known it wouldn't be that easy. Then he gets the shock of his life. Not only is Rose much more stubborn then he remembered her to be, but he also has a son.
Debra writes a good storyline, but frankly this story has been done to death. The best thing she has going however is the secondary characters. This is a continuation of her Mule Hollow series and the supporting cast are all back with helpful advise. One of the things l liked best about this story is that even with the theme of the story being about matchmakers, the group of ladies that make up the matchmaking team decided that they shouldn't do anything because they were asked not to. Zane and Rose made a nice pair, as well, even though they had a lot issues between them to work out. I really like the author's writing style and the town setting and the added characters gives new life to a well used subject matter.
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Everyone in Mule Hollow can see the resemblance between former Texas Ranger Zane Cantrell and Rose Vincent's son. The same goldflecked amber eyes. The same smile. Not that Zane is smiling. He's in shock! How could Rose have kept their child a secret from him? Rose reminds Zane that he's the one who walked away. He has to make her see he had no choice. But Rose is as prickly as the cactus jelly she makes. And that's where their hopeful son and the Mule Hollow matchmakers come marching in.--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.
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No Place Like Home (Mule Hollow Matchmakers, Book 3) Review
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(More customer reviews)And so the saga of Mule Hollow continues. The humor Clopton infuses into her love stories makes a fun read. Although I missed Samantha the mule, No Place Like Home is populated with the characters we've come to know and love.
When young hitchhiker Cassie Bates is picked up by Dottie, the unlikely friendship leads Dottie into an adventure she never bargained for. Cassie's been reading Molly's newspaper column and has come to Mule Hollow to get herself a cowboy. The matchmakers, Adela, Norma Sue and Esther Mae, are in fine form as they attempt to steer Brady and Dottie together. Just when it looks like they might get their way ... Brady shuts the door. Now what? Well, you'll have to read it to find out. Be prepared for laughter and tears in another adventure in Mule Hollow.
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When her ancient RV caught fire, candy maker Dottie Hart was stranded in Mule Hollow. So much for her promise to help her brother with his women's shelter. She would never make it to California now! Help arrived in the nick of time, in the shape of handsome sheriff Brady Cannon. And though Dottie made it clear she was just passing through, the local matchmakers had another agenda. No single woman had yet encountered them without leaving happily married…a sticky situation for the lovely confectioner. Perhaps Brady could convince her that love was its own sweet reward….--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.
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Dream a Little Dream (Mule Hollow Matchmakers, Book 4) Review
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(More customer reviews)Sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. Molly Popps has a dream and nothing is going to get in her way. She plans to write interesting columns for the local newspaper that are so good they'll catch the eye of a prominent editor who will offer her a job on a big city newspaper and she'll be on her way up the ladder to success. And what better way to reach her goal than to write about Mule Hollow's most handsome, financially secure bachelor, Bob Jacobs. After all, she overheard him telling a friend he wanted to find a wife. Molly determines to help him reach that goal.
Bob Jacobs was upset about seeing his matrimonial ambitions written about in the Mule Hollow morning paper, and to tell the truth, he was a little bit scared by the horde of women stampeding into town bearing baked goodies and searching for love. Particularly when he has to rescue one from a riled bull. He knows exactly who to blame for his troubles too. That interferring Molly Popps who wrote the column destroying his privacy. When city woman, Molly, meets dedicated rancher, Bob, it results in an emotional explosion that threatens to rock Mule Hollow right off its foundation. Dream A Little Dream is a very entertaining story, and a lot of fun, too.
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It was just a local newspaper column, right?But when reporter Molly Popp touted the marriage-worthiness of local rancher Bob Jacobs, would-be wives descended on his Mule Hollow ranch by the busload. Molly felt guilty for the ruckus she'd caused-- especially when Bob was injured rescuing an overzealous admirer from a bull. There was nothing else city-slicker Molly could do but pitch in and help Bob out. That is, until word of her column brought the job offer she'd been praying for and a choice she never thought she'd have to make: a Manhattan byline or Mule Hollow's most eligible bachelor.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Her Baby Dreams (Mule Hollow Matchmakers, Book 8) Review
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(More customer reviews)I do love the series, but the lead female in this book was so uptight and rigid and at the same time came across as having a pity party for herself because she couldn't understand WHY no guy would ask her out....duh! Yes, I know, she had guy problems before, and honestly, if the character had been one less uptight with past guy issues, it wouldn't have irritated me. I kept trying to read this book, plugging away at it, because, hey, it was a MULE HOLLOW book, right? But I finally gave up, Ashby just irritated and annoyed me so much. Still, this has been the only book in the series to disappoint me, and I realize that even great authors can have a bad book day.
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His Cowgirl Bride (Mule Hollow Matchmakers, Book 12) Review
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(More customer reviews)I loved the lead female in this book. I'm partial to strong, sassy women and she fits the description. Great story and once again, loved visiting Mule Hollow. Adored the meatloaf scene. Cracked up so bad. It also made me make meatloaf for dinner that night. Not quite the same of course....I'm stingy with 5 stars, but this book got one from me.
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Tacy Jones had come to Mule Hollow to learn how to train wild horses. But former rodeo champion Brent Stockwell might as well carry a sign saying "No Cowgirls Allowed." If Brent doesn't think ladies belong in the pen, determined Tacy will just have to change his mind. When Tacy learns the secret behind his stance, she longs to help him heal. She's ready to show the handsome cowboy that taking a chance on your dream is what life--and love--is all about.
--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.
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And Baby Makes Five (Mule Hollow Matchmakers, Book 2) Review
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(More customer reviews)A donkey as a matchmaker? When it's a donkey named Samantha who is under the impression that she's human, you bet!
Lilly Tipps, eight month's pregnant, first meets her new neighbor, Cort Wells, when she chases off after Samantha on a cold, sleet filled, west Texas night. Cort thinks she is crazy, putting herself and her unborn child at risk for a donkey. Lilly is both amused and infuriated by Cort's attitude. But when Lilly goes into premature labor during the middle of a winter storm, with no electricity or working phone, it is Samanatha to the rescue, bringing Cort to assist her. While this experience creates a special bond between Lilly and Cort, they both have painful experiences in their past that make them cautious about giving their hearts away again. But God does work in mysterious ways and chooses to use unusual vessels; including donkeys named Samanatha, dogs named Loser, and a special baby boy named Joshua.
"And Baby Makes Five" was a wonderful read. Debra Clopton brings all the characters--human, animal, and the town of Mule Hollow itself--alive for the reader. Mule Hollow is a place I want to visit again, and apparently I have some catching up to do. So I've put Debra's first Mule Hollow book, "The Trouble with Lacy Brown", on my to-be read list. Highly recommended.
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TWO STUBBORN HUMANS,HIS DOG, HER DONKEY … AND A BRAND-NEW BABYA donkey with a penchant for breaking and entering…in search of alfalfa? Cort Wells had never heard of such a thing, until he and his dog moved into Mule Hollow. And the donkey's eight-months-pregnant owner was Lilly Tipps, raised by her man-hating grandmas. So when Lilly wound up in his barn- and his arms- Cort began to think the donkey was going to be the least of his worries.…--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.
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Princess Academy Review
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(More customer reviews)"So what won the Newbery this year?"
"Criss Cross by Lynn Rae Perkins".
"Uh-huh. Is it any good?"
"Yep. It's nice".
"So what else got awards?"
"Well, there was something called Whittington by Alan Armstrong, Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson, Hitler Youth by Susan Campbell Bartoletti, and of course The Princess Academy..."
"The PRINCESS Academy? Oh, ick, yuck, puke!"
"...by Shannon Hale. You've read it?"
"Well...no, not exactly. But how good could anything called The Princess Academy be?"
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a rough equivalent of several conversations I've had with various people in regards to Shannon Hale's latest little nugget of gold. Say the words "Princess Academy" to the well-read and instantly their faces scrunch up and either the word "ew" or the word "ugh" emits from their lips. Ask them if they've read the book themselves and you'll undoubtedly get a quick shake of the head. It isn't the actual book they don't like. It's the title. I imagine there must have been some long conversations over at Bloomsbury Children's Books when this title was proposed. On the one hand, if you put the word "Princess" in a title you can link it the oh-so profitable "Princess Diaries", Disney "Princess" line, and even the "Royal Diaries" line of books. On the other hand, you're going to lose numerous parents, educators, librarians, masculine readers, and other members of society who take one look at the title and brush it off. I gave the book a long hard look before I plunged into it. This I admit freely. And while I wouldn't go handing it silver medals just for existing, it's certainly an intelligent and well-written little story that's bound to be adored by fans of Hale's previous "The Goose Girl", not to mention Gail Carson Levine's, "Ella Enchanted".
It is a well-known fact that Mira is useless. That is to say, it's well-known to Mira. Every day she wants to go off and work in the quarry with all the other village girls so that she can contribute something to her little mountain village. And every day her father refuses to let her set even one toe near the quarry lines. Short for her age with little to do but speak to her sister Mara and her old childhood friend Peder, fourteen-year-old Mira is mired in her own shame when who should appear in the village but a representative from the king himself. It seems that the prince is in need of a bride. Sounds simple. Unfortunately the royal priests have declared that the woman chosen will have to be from Mira's tiny mining village. Which means, of course, that an academy must be set up for the ladies ASAP. Before any of the girls know it, they've been whisked off to study under the harsh tutelage of one Olana Mansdaughter. Far from her home and her previous assumptions, Mira thrives in an atmosphere of entirely new knowledge. Yet as she grows more self-aware, it becomes perfectly clear to all of the girls that only one of them will earn the prince's favor. And Mira does not entirely want it to fall onto her.
I just read the bookflap of my copy to figure out whether or not the bookflap writer (oh most unrewarding of jobs) had a better grasp on showing you some of the book's subtleties. No such luck. Rereading my own summary, the book sounds kind of cutesy. I despise the term "girl power" to the marrow of my bones, but this is certainly a tale of empowerment, no question. And telepathy. Empowerment and telepathy. We're in fairy tale country here, but aside from the occasional I-can-speak-to-you-through-the-rocks moment, the story is straightforward and sensible. Hale keeps her characters and emotions on a tight reign, never giving away too much or allowing too little. Attentive readers will probably guess at the prince's choice long before Mira does, but for others it will come as a pleasant and well-crafted little surprise. As a heroine, Mira herself undergoes the necessary growth and changes required of her. At the same time, she has a sense of humor. The book doesn't go in for many laugh out loud moments, but at least we're not watching a humorless EARNEST hero in the making.
I'm just waiting for the review of this book that decries it to be a Communist screed (which, obviously, it isn't but Amazon.com reviewers love making that accusation). You see, the girls often work as a whole to beat their enemies when they can't do it singly. They form a kind of insipient princess union so that their professor will lay off the harsh punishments and give them their basic human rights. It works like gangbusters (due in no little way to some fancy negotiating) and is a lovely little lesson in sticking together against a common enemy. The book also shows how a village that is seemingly doing well for itself can still benefit from a good education. In some ways, "The Princess Academy" is so practical in its system of checks and balances that you forget that the places mentioned in this tale don't actually exist. Hale excels at selling you an entirely new reality.
Chalk this book up to a nice little surprise. If you were to grab me by my lapels and demand whether this book should have gotten a Newbery Honor or "Each Little Bird That Sings", I would of course indicate the latter. But since "Little Bird" did NOT win and "Princess Academy" did, don't go scoffing at this book sight unseen. Bad titles aside, Hale has conjured up a nice little story and a worthy addition to any and all library systems.
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