Kearsten says: This is an interesting story - all of the teenage girls in a small mountain village are sent to a princess academy for training, as the priests of the kingdom have predicted that the Prince will choose a bride from the village.

Young Miri is unsure as to whether she wants to be a princess, but when she finds an affinity for learning within herself, she's thrilled to finally find something she's good at, after years of insecurity over being unable to work the village's quarry, like all the others of her village.

Miri is a strong and sensible young woman, struggling with finding her strengths and overcoming her weaknesses. The big showdown is very weak, compared with the rest of the book, but overall, this is a sweet story about a young teen overcoming difficultly with dignity and humor.

Recommended. ( )

This story is about a girl named Miri, she is a poor girl who lives on a hill. One day the kings messanger comes to the hill to make an important notice stating that all girls are to be sent to an academy to learn how to be a proper princess wh is worth of the Prince. When all of the girls go to the academy they find that they have a cruel teacher who does not like Miri. Miri is a brave and strong willed girl, and that gets her in trouble. One day the academy is attacked, and the only thing that saves them is Miri's strong will and courage. At the end of the academy session the Prince chooses Miri to be his bride, but she refuses because she is in love with her childhood friend. But her best friend, on the other hand, knew the Prince and they got married and lived happily ever after.

I thought this book started out slow, but as i kept reading i got drawn into the storyline more and more. I admired Miri's strong will and courage, and looked up to her for those things. Miri showed girls, in my opinion, that they do not need a man to survive in life, but can do so with their own will power and drive.

This story can help children about courage, and to not judge somebody just based on their differences. It also encourages girls that they can be heroes just as much as boys can.

This is a really good YA read. The notion that the girls of the province must be suitably educated to be acceptable to society, is turned on its head. The girls find that the skills and knowledge they already possess have value and the "civilized" provinces can gain from their presence.

This is a good message for teenage girls. What you are is worthy. Look to your own strengths for your sense of self. Recommended. ( )

When a royal request falls upon a small mountain quarry village, the girl take on a difficult responsibility. Despite their situation, they are able to strengthen their community and learn to love their heritage. ( )

A very sweet story about a quick-witted girl -- what a pleasure to read a story set in a lovely and fully-realized fantasy world, in which the heroine's math and reasoning skills save the day. ( )