Alison Reads

This is a wonderful retelling of the Grimm fairy tale about a princess who becomes a goose girl and eventually regains her crown. At the age of 17, Princess Anidori-Kiladra (Ani for short) is betrothed to the crown prince of the neighboring kingdom. She and her servants set off on a four-month journey through the mountains to the kingdom of Bayern. As they approach Bayern, her lady-in-waiting stages a coup and takes her place. Ani flees for her life and is given a job tending the royal flock of geese. Beautifully written and delightful, though it doesn’t soft-pedal hardships and violence (nor did the Brothers Grimm). By the author of Princess Academy, this book is recommended for middle and high school readers.