June 2009: Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

The secret

Were you surprised when you learned about Britta's secret? How did you feel about Prince Steffan's final choice?

The Hawk

Miri treasures the carved linder hawk that Peder gave her when they were small. In a fateful twist, it helps her escape from the bandit Dan, though she loses it as it falls down the mountain. What do you think the hawk means to Miri, and to Peder?
What do you think is the symbolic significance of the hawk?

Helping Gerti

At a critical moment in the mountain girls' training at the academy, they must all pass an oral test in order to attend the ball with the prince. At one moment, Miri notices Gerti struggling to answer the question. Convinced it would be unfair for the girls to be banned from the dance if they can't pass the test, Miri finds a way to help Gerti get the answer through quarry-speech. Do you think Miri did the right thing or not? Why?

Miri flower

Miri's father tells her that her mother named her "after the flower that conquered rock and climbed to face the sun"( page 14). How is Miri like the flower she is named after?
Do you know why you were given the name you have? Did it hold special meaning for your family?

Lessons

How did the lessons in diplomacy, conversation, and courtesy help Miri and the other academy members?

Asland

How did Miri's visit to Asland change the way she thought of her Mount Eskel home?

The better match

Who seemed like a better match for Kiri: Prince Steffan or Peder? In what ways?

Olana

The girls disliked and feared her, but was there anything about Olana that made her a good choice to be their tutor?

Quarry-speak

What did you think of "quarry speaking"?

Making friends

What qualities does Miri have that helped her to make friendships with the other girls, even the more difficult ones like Katar?

To be a princess... or not

As you read the book, were there times you wished for Miri to be chosen as princess? And times when you hoped she would not be chosen?