Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7604 in Books
• Published on: 2005-05-13
• Released on: 2005-04-21
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9–A full-cast production voiced by over four dozen actors brings this well-known Grimms fairy tale to life, albeit it with a modern and magical twist. In this delightful dramatization of the book by Shannon Hale (Bloomsbury, 2003), 16-year-old Princess Anidori–Kiladra Talianna Isillee, Crown Princess of Kildenree, is betrayed by Selia, her jealous and evil lady-in-waiting, and takes refuge as a goose girl while plotting how to reclaim her rightful place as the bride-to-be of the Prince of Bayern. Gifted with the ability to speak to animals and talk to the wind, Princess Anidori–now called Isi–falls in love, makes new friends, and collects allies in her quest to claim her title. This tale of courage and perseverance is a listening delight.–Cindy Lombardo, Tuscarawas County Public Library, New Philadelphia, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From AudioFile
Ani, the Princess of Kildenree, is a character in the Cinderella tradition, but her story of betrayal, strength, and resilience has several twists. When her handmaiden, Celia, plots to replace her--the resulting deception, stolen identity, and danger transform Ani into The Goose Girl. This counterpoint experience teaches her about loyalty, friendship, and eventually, love. A note of warning: The occasional violence and cruelty to animals urge caution for young listeners. Cynthia Bishop as the narrator and Erika Lustig as Princess Ani give especially good performances in this full-cast production, and musical cues add a nice accompaniment. The only distraction is the "voice" given to inanimate objects, such as the wind, which overstretches the plot. L.H. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Booklist
Gr. 6-10. She can whisper to horses and communicate with birds, but the crown princess Ani has a difficult time finding her place in the royal family and measuring up to her imperial mother. When she is shipped off to a neighboring kingdom as a bride, her scheming entourage mounts a bloody mutiny to replace her with a jealous lady-in-waiting, Selia, and to allow an inner circle of guards more power in the new land. Barely escaping with her life, Ani disguises herself as a goose girl and wanders on the royal estate. Does she have the pluck to reclaim her rightful place? Get ready for a fine adventure tale full of danger, suspense, surprising twists, and a satisfying conclusion. The engaging plot can certainly carry the tale, but Hale's likable, introspective heroine makes this also a book about courage and justice in the face of overwhelming odds. The richly rendered, medieval folkloric setting adds to the charm. Anne O'Malley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

A real treasure to read!
Shannon Hale has proven to be a real creative, original and compelling writer. I was taken in by her storytelling, and completely sold by the characters! The Goose Girl is promising to be my favorite book of 2008. I couldn't put it down and when I finished it, I definitely wished there was more!

The Real Princess
Goose Girl
By Shannon Hale

I loved the Goose Girl, for the well planned out characters, vivid imagery, smooth flow, and the continued suspense. This book had me hooked from the very beginning.

Ani was born a princess and was taught by her aunt to speak to swans. Her mother, the queen, found her to be a strange girl, who was awkward and uncomfortable with people. Her mother kept Ani inside the castle, so she could not talk to the birds and swans. Ani was not even allowed to associate with her own brother and sisters. She found solace in riding her horse, Falada, with whom she could communicate. She also enjoyed her best friend and lady in waiting, Selia. Selia had the gift of `people speaking', where Ani was best understood by the creatures.

The Queen Mother prepared Ani's brother for the throne. When confronted, she told Ani that she had prearranged her marriage to the prince of a far away kingdom.

Ani's lady in waiting schemed to take away the throne, marry the prince and kill Ani, along with all of her gurards. Ani, who had never before left the castle grounds, escaped with her life. She was exiled to live as a goose girl, taking care of the kings geese, while her lady in waiting lived as royalty.

Ani needed to disguise herself, and find allies to help regain her royal heritage and over throw the imposter, Selia.

There are bloody scenes, so the story would not be appropriate for younger children. This book will be delightful for the 6th to 9th grade level.

I highly recommend the Goose Girl and look forward to reading other books by Shannon Hale.

Good Teen Lit.
I thought this book was a bit simplistic in style, but it was still an enjoyable read. I wish it had been a bit more atmospheric. Between the updated, modern attitudes of the characters and the sparse descriptions, the book seemed much more modern that its intended setting. I liked it, but I felt like with a bit more effort, it could have been fantastic instead of just good.