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1 Hawthorne Children's Young Adult- General

More copies of this ISBN:

The Goose Girl

by Shannon Hale

The Goose Girl Cover

ISBN13: 9781582349909
ISBN10: 1582349908
Condition: Standard
All Product Details

Only 1 left in stock at $5.95!

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
A Utah Speculative Fiction Award Winner

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kildenree, spends the first years of her life under her aunt's guidance learning to communicate with animals. As she grows up Ani develops the skills of animal speech, but is never comfortable speaking with people, so when her silver-tongued lady-in-waiting leads a mutiny during Ani's journey to be married in a foreign land, Ani is helpless and cannot persuade anyone to assist her. Becoming a goose girl for the king, Ani eventually uses her own special, nearly magical powers to find her way to her true destiny. Shannon Hale has woven an incredible, original and magical tale of a girl who must find her own unusual talents before she can become queen of the people she has made her own.

Review:

""In this affecting debut novel, Princess Ani, the shy, sensitive, first-born daughter to the king and queen of Kildenree, embarks on an adventure-filled journey to learn the many lessons that will make her a true queen. With the help of her aunt (the queen's sister), Ani discovers that she was born with the 'gift of animal speaking.' But her gift frightens others. The narrative's leisurely pace plays up Ani's sense of isolation; at a ball hosted by her parents, for instance, the nurses hold Ani's siblings close and whisper of 'men and secret things. Every word they spoke seemed to empty Ani more, like buckets dipped into a shallow well.' Considering Ani unworthy of the crown, Ani's newly widowed mother sends her off, at age 17, to be married to the prince of a neighboring kingdom-mainly to keep peace. On the way to 'the other side of the mountains,' her lady-in-waiting steals her identity and wrests control of the guards so she may enter the kingdom of Bayern as the Kildenree princess. 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. In an attempt to weave all of the elements of the original tale, the novel at times bogs down in detail. But those who enjoy getting lost in an enchanted world will discover here a satisfying and richly embellished retelling of a classic that communicates values still pertinent to contemporary readers. Ages 10-up." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"[An] affecting debut novel." Publishers Weekly

Review:

"Enchanting. [Hale] adds such depth and scope..In layer upon layer of detail a beautiful coming-of-age story emerges." The New York Times Book Review

Review:

"This YA novel will appeal to readers of fantasy and to all who enjoy seeing classic stories transformed by a creative author." KLIATT

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About the Author

Shannon Hale received a Newbery Honor for her book Princess Academy. She is the author of The Goose Girl and Enna Burning, companion books to River Secrets. She and her husband are working on a graphic novel together, and live with their son in Salt Lake City, Utah.

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 3 comments:
Cioccolata16, October 29, 2009 (view all comments by Cioccolata16)
Susan Hale definitely knows how to weave a fairy tale. As a loyal fan of fantasy novels, this first book of the trio satisfied my craving. It's your typical story of a princess in disguise, trying to get back her stolen crown from her corrupt lady in waiting. There is magic, mystery, and a bit of livestock to keep things fresh. Draws you in and then keeps you tied to the pages until you are done!
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Michelleyevshky, May 30, 2007 (view all comments by Michelleyevshky)
I'm a sucker for modernized mythology and fairy tales (Mother Goose with morality, essentially). This book is easily one of the best. In the strain of Ella Enchanted it covers the fairy tale of the goose girl. When starting out I was expecting this book to follow the old tired plot "princess doesn't want to marry prince but falls in love with him despite her feminist leanings." This was a welcome twist on that unfortunate plot line, with the main character Princess Ani, kicking serious butt.

The queer, shy, swan and wind whispering Princess Anidora of Kildenree is sent to a neighboring country in marriage. After en-route betrayal Anidora is reduced to goose girl, herding the flocks for the royal she was meant to marry.

A book like this doesn't come along often. I was elated at the finishing page, completely transported to the mystical lands Shannon Hale created. I wish I could wipe my mind free of the plot and read it all over again, completely fresh, welcoming the thralls of a perfectly executed story.

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(10 of 16 readers found this comment helpful)
Swmr1189, August 26, 2006 (view all comments by Swmr1189)
It is a great book. You can't put down. It is almost amazing as Harry Potter. If you like adventure your sure to like this book. It has some fight and love scenes but their pg scenes so parents don't worry about your kids!
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(4 of 12 readers found this comment helpful)
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Product Details

ISBN:
9781582349909
Author:
Hale, Shannon
Publisher:
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Subject:
General
Subject:
Royalty (kings queens princes princesses knights etc.)
Subject:
Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic
Subject:
Children's 12-Up - Fiction - Fantasy
Subject:
Fairy tales
Subject:
Human-animal communication
Subject:
General Fiction
Subject:
Fantasy & Magic
Subject:
Princesses
Edition Description:
Trade Paper
Publication Date:
May 2005
Binding:
Paperback
Grade Level:
- Up
Language:
English
Pages:
383
Dimensions:
7.74x5.28x1.17 in. .73 lbs.
Age Level:
12-UP

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