Editor's Note: Patch on occasion prominently features blog postings from its community of bloggers. Today, we're experimenting with featuring some evening reading in the top spot. Los Altan Freya Hooper reviews children's books on her own blog, called One Great Book, and will appear regularly in our 'Local Voices' section at the beginning of each week.

Ok, I admit it.  I was thrilled when I had a daughter that I could revisit all the princess stories I loved so much as a child. What's more, she loved the princesses as much as I had at her age.

But all the messaging I was getting as a parent now was that girls shouldn't be victims to the princess mindset.

"It limits their imagination"  

"They will think they need to be rescued"

And, "We want girls to know they can be anything."

I also fear that Disney has created a princess mentality which caters to a very young audience, and turns girls off to the princess theme as babyish. Princesses are simply marketing to a preschool set, instead of the complex characters and stories of the original fairytales, which often times did not have a happily ever after!

The authors whose books I have profiled in this week have created princesses who are intelligent, funny and human.  These princess are limited only by their own aspirations, and if they get to wear a tiara at the same time, more power to them! I hope some of the magic of the original princess fairytales are not lost in our current environment, and these books are a great start!

Too see the full selection of books, visit my blog at www.onegreatbook.com

Book: Princess Academy

Author: Shannon Hale

Target: Grades 5-8

Series: No 

Newbery Honor Book

What this book is about:

The story is set in the fictional territory of Mount Eskel, a mountain village that revolves around a quarry. When the prince of the land declares he will chose a bride from their village, all the eligible girls are sent to attend a special academy to learn the customs of the “lowlanders.” It is here they discover the freedom that education can provide for them. They also confront what it means to be selected by the prince, the effects of friendship, the power of competition and the ability to lead

Why I love it:

Don’t let the title of this book put you off, because it is the only flaw in this story.  It is not a fluffy book about girls becoming stereotypical princesses. It is a complex story about girls discovering their values, defining home, their relationships and the value of education.  

It took a few chapters for me to get into the story. The main character, Miri, didn’t appeal to me at first, but  stick with it, as my appreciation of her grew tremendously throughout the book. The book has enough action and suspense to keep the reader engaged through the larger life lessons.  

Who this book is for:

Girls will appreciate the characters in this book and also enjoy the fact that it has plenty of action!

Final thoughts:

A true surprise of a book!

To see my other book recommendations, visit my blog at www.onegreatbook.com