Future Children’s Classics

One book I hope to become a future children’s classic is Shannon Hale’s Princess Academy. I read this last fall in the last days before my son was born and since he was 10 days late I got to read a few books. (Thanks, Joey.)

I don’t know what all the young(er) ones out there thought of this book, but I loved it. Maybe it’s the idea that a princess will come from this small, obscure village in the furthermost part of a kingdom or that the heroine is the protected and slightly small Miri whom, nearly, everyone overlooks.  Or it’s the idea of common girls attending an academy (because doesn’t that make it sound more prestigious) where they’ll be taught to be princesses.

But maybe, just maybe I love the story because of its unlikely hero who faces her circumstances with strength and courage, and where others back down Miri only pushes further.

Of course, there’s rivalry among girls at the school, a hint of romance, and a group of bandits who threaten all their lives. But among all these things there’s also a love of learning and exploration as the girls from Mount Eskel are opened up to a whole new world. I loved it.

That’s just my pick for a future classic, what do you think? I’d love to hear yours…

Advertisements