Princess Academy

Content Ratings

Mild Romance

Miri develops feelings for the prince and a friendship with another young man from her village; the romance is gentle, age-appropriate, and sweet.

Light Themes

The novel celebrates the transformative power of education, the value of marginalized communities, and the discovery of self-worth through learning; themes are warm and affirming.

No Violence

There is no meaningful violence; the academy's strictness and a brief threatening incident are the main sources of tension.

Synopsis

When a decree sends all the girls from a mountain quarrying village to a strict academy to learn proper behavior before the prince makes his selection, fourteen-year-old Miri discovers an unexpected magic in the quarry stone and uses her education to empower her village community. A Newbery Honor book celebrating literacy, community, and the transformative power of learning. Warm and beautifully written.