Princess Academy

 Princess Academy by Shannon Hale, 314 pages.

Time for another childhood favorite that I got the sudden urge to reread. Miri lives on Mount Eskel, in a small village who's entire business is quarrying precious linder stone, just like they have been for generations. Miri is dealing with her usual problems: herding the goats, catching feelings for her childhood best friend, and trying to convince her father she's not too small and useless to work in the quarry. All of that changes when a big, important government man comes to the village and announces that the priests have ordained that the prince's bride will come from Mount Eskel, and that since there are no noble families there every girl aged 12-17 must spend a year at Princess Academy learning vital skills for being a princess, such as diplomacy, commerce, and dancing (also, how to read). At the end of the year the prince will come and carry off the girl he chooses to be his bride.

Something about this book has always felt extremely timeless to me. It feels like a classic children's book, even though it was only published in 2005. Miri's challenges are sometimes very big and sometimes very small, but they always feel important. The little song snippets at the beginning of each chapter are also a treat, and I was surprised at how many I remembered from years before. There is something very comforting in rereading this book, and it is definitely deserving of its Newbery Award.  I would definitely recommend it for anyone that hasn't read it yet, doubly so for children.