Goose Girl

    The book I read was The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale. This book is Fiction and takes place in medieval times. It teaches about to fight for the right to be yourself. The main character, Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Islee (Ani) is a princess and lives in a kingdom named Kildenree.

     As a child, Ani is taught about the 3 languages that some people speak. They are the gift of people-speaking, the gift of animal-speaking, and the gift of nature-speaking. These gifts, as it would be today, are thought of as unnatural and as a curse and not a gift. Ani is taught the gift of animal speaking as a child by her aunt. When her mother, the queen, discovers her gift, Ani is forbidden to ever go outside as to not talk to the animals. She lives a life of seclusion and of a longing to become the person her mother wants her to be. Ani waits until her day to become queen. However, a month after her father's death and her sixteenth birthday, she discovers she is to be betrothed to the first born prince of another kingdom half a year's journey away. Ani is shocked and realizes all her hard work to become queen was useless.

     Ani sets out on her journey to the kingdom where her betrothed awaits called Bayern. Along the way, Ani's lady in waiting, Selia, overthrows Ani and seeks to become queen of Bayern instead. Half of Ani's guard side's with Selia and Ani is forced to flee and find her own way to Bayern before Selia is betrothed instead of her. She finds her way to the city and spends her time trying to find a way to the king and convince him that she is the princess and not Selia. She finds work as a goose girl. The goose girl is the girl who tends the geese with the goose boy. Because of this opportunity, she is able to go on a wonderful journey and gain a new perspective.

     I loved this book. It was really great  and very entertaining. The book has many themes that express the author's opinion. First, is to always fight for what you believe. Ani's perspective changes during the book, so what she fights for is different as well. However, she never gave up and always fought. Also, the book tells you to discover who you truly are. Don't let others decide what you're fate will be. Work for what you think is best for you. Ani is told she is destined to be a lowly goose girl but she never gives up and becomes a queen. I agree with what the author believes. I agree with everything she says and I believe she has a great outlook on life.

     In a nutshell, this book was incredible. I give it a definite A. It brings up many great themes. I suggest that everyone read it.