In a series of messages placed in her grandmother's ancestral jar, a sixth century princess and future ruler of the Korean kingdom of Silla, vents her frustration at not being able to study astronomy because she is a girl.

This was a very good entry in the Royal Diaries series; in fact, of the ones I've read this is the best.

Sondok is driven by her passion for astronomy and knowledge, but as she grows up and is exposed to new cultures and ideas - like conservative Confucianism from China and "pagan" shamanism that existed in Silla before Buddhism - she is forced to re-evaluate and think about her beliefs again and again.

I know very little about the history of Korea, but Holman's story of Sondok has made me want to know more. ( )

TAKEN FORM THE BOOK
10th day of the 1st moon,
17 year of king chinp’young
It is the Hour of the Pig when the whole palace is settling down to sleep and only the watchmen and astronomers are awake. I have not had a chance during the festival season to sit at my favorite stargazing spot. It is here where I feel most alive. Here inside eh grand mystery of the stars…
How can I help myself, Grandmother? During the day, everything is chaotic in Kumsong. Men rush around the palace, merchants hawk their wares. The city is jumble of oxen and horses and children and slaves, all bellowing and laughing and d tripping over one another to get where they are going. But at night, all is still and peaceful. I can look up into the heavens and find order…
My roots are here, Grandmother. My roots are in the stars ( )

Sondok is interesting because she is struggling with typical adolescent issues while struggling with her father and her coming into power as the first female ruler of her country. Some portions of the book seemed like forced culture lessons, though they were interesting nonetheless. Sondok's greatest passion is her astronomy, and she remains true to this in the end. ( )