Ani speaks the wind... and animals. She is a victim of mutiny and sudden poverty but learns to fend for herself, and learns how much potential she really has...

Hale, Shannon. The Goose Girl. 2003. Bloomsbury: New York.
Genre: Fantasy and Utopia
Themes: Goose girl, speaking to animals, special powers, war, princess, queen, magic, marriage, lady in waiting, foreign land, corrupt
Age/grade appropriate: ages 10-16 grade appropriate for middle school and high school
Awards: A New York Public Library "100 Titles for Reading and Sharing", A Texas Lone Star Reading List Book, A Josette Frank Award Winner, A Utah State Book Award Winner, and A Utah Speculative Fiction Award Winner.
Censorship Issues: I don’t see any censorship issues for this book. It is perfect for the classroom
Plot summary: Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kildenree, is raised by her aunt. Her aunt teaches her how to communicate with animals. Anidori aka Ani’s mother is still alive she just lets other people take care of her children. When her aunt goes away Ani is left with another caretaker. Ani’s mother hates the fact that her aunt taught her to speak with animals. She tries to keep Ani away from as many animals as possible. Her mother realizes that her daughter is not suit to be a Queen so she sends her off to be married at age 17, to the prince of a neighboring kingdom-mainly to keep peace. Another girl in waiting steals Ani’s identity and marries the prince. Meanwhile, Ani dodges attempts on her life, is looked after by an older woman in the Forest, and finally makes it to Bayern, to be hired in the palace as a goose girl. Only when she develops humility, a sense of justice, a talent for peacekeeping, an ability to command the wind and the gift of 'people speaking can Ani reclaim her place as the future queen of Bayern.
Critique: This book is great. I loved reading it. It is perfect for young adults. I would recommend this book for anyone. It is such a great read anyone could enjoy such a story. It is kind of predictable but it is great to read something easy and fun sometimes.
Curriculum: This book could definitely be used in the classroom. The plot of the story is great for young readers. I could see this book in the public library as well as the school library. ( )

In this retelling of the fairy tale, Ani is raised as the Crown Princess of her kingdom. Even though she knows being queen is her destiny, she is acutely aware of how the role doesn't suit her. She lacks the charismatic people-speaking gift of her mother, and her natural gift for speaking with animals only frightens those around her. Fortunately, her lady-in-waiting has the gift of people-speaking, and Ani is relieved to have her company as they set out for the distant kingdom where she is to wed her betrothed. But is all is not it seems: her lady-in-waiting is not her friend, and uses her gift to arise a mutiny against the Crown Princess. Ani flees into a strange new land and is forced to hide the bright hair that labels her as an outsider. She soon becomes the goose girl, and plots to stop the impostor from wedding her betrothed - and bringing the two kingdoms into war.

The first half of the book proceeded very slowly. It wasn't bad reading, simply slow. However, once the suspense kicked in, I could barely set the book down. I'm familiar with the fairy tale and knew what to expect, but the suspense still held me. That's good writing. Even for those who don't know the original tale with probably find the plot predictable, but not in a bad way. Just as with another of Hale's books, The Princess Academy, there is a certain coziness to her writing style. Sure, I knew what was coming, but I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. I probably would have read this book to tatters if it had existed when I was a twelve-year-old. ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed this rich, lovely fairy tale. The bare outline of a familiar nursery tale is fleshed out complex interesting people and subtle natural magic. The circumstances through which the princess finds herself tending the geese is plausible and tragic, and her adaptation to her new life, and the friends and allies she makes are all-important in the dramatic conclusion. Well-written, captivating, can't wait for the next in the series. ( )

I first read this book when it was newly published and fell in love with Shannon Hale and the Bayern universe. The writing style is just lovely and very evocative of the soft, semi-historical, fantasy setting. And the universe - well, one of the things that really grabbed me with this book is how well-fleshed-out everything seems to be, from the politics to the local mythology and folklore.

Since that first reading (way back in 2003), I've reread the story several times, but it has never grown old or tedious on me. (Why I waited until late 2008 to actually buy a copy for myself, I don't know - it seems like I always had one from the library.)

There must be some negative aspects of the book, but the only thing I can think of is that it's slow-paced. Or maybe it isn't really, but it feels like a sort of calm and serene story rather than something exciting or adventuresome, even though there are some very exciting and/or frightening scenes. Of course, even saying that it's a negative isn't much, since I really like that kind of story as much as I like crazy adventure books like Bloody Jack (I borrowed both books for the first time on the same day, and I adore them both to pieces).

It's really nice that though The Goose Girl is part of a series, it stands on its own very well as a complete story without the need for a continuation. That there is a sequel is nice, but those who don't like to start in on series needn't worry that they'll have to read it to have a sense of closure. ( )