Shannon Hale is an American novelist and young adult fantasy writer, best known for her rewarded books ”The Goose Girl” and ”Princess Academy”. Shannon Hale was born in the year of 1974 on January 26th in Salt Lake City in the state of Utah. She had four siblings, two older sisters, and a younger sister and brother. Shannon attended elementary school in Salt Lake City, when at the age of 10 she started writing books, most of which were fantasy stories, with her as the main protagonist. Shannon’s talent for writing was natural – her mother used to say that she was a storyteller from birth. Thankfully, her talent was spotted by her elementary school English teacher, who introduced her to writing, as well as fiction, which will prove to become her field of work, which Shannon Hale is best known for. Apart from writing, acting was another passion of Shannon’s – she used to write in secret for years, while pursuing her career in television, improvisational comedy and even stage.
In the meantime, she was able to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of Utah, but was forced to come out of the closet as a writer when she earned her Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Montana. Before earning her Bachelor’s Degree in English, Shannon Hale, being a true scholar and artist willing to nurture her talent, has spent time studying in Mexico and United Kingdom, and also got a chance to help as an unpaid missionary in Paraguay for a year and a half before returning back to the United States. After that Shannon has spent some time working as an instructional designer, for Avaltus and Allen Comunication, before finally becoming a full time writer. Although being a full time writer has proven to be rather difficult and challenging, even after multiple rejections Shannon has not given up and had continued to pursue her dreams which was proven worthwhile in 2003 when she finally published her first and award-winning book, ”The Goose Girl” which she is best known for. By the time her book ”River Secrets” was released, she had already won numerous awards for her 2005 release, ”Princess Academy”. Her husband Dean Hale, with whom she has four children, has proven himself as great support and inspiration for her two graphic novels. Her bestseller have been supported by Matell’s doll line as well as animated series. Shannon Hale’s numerous books have been translated into many languages, and are read and studied all across the world, from elementary schools to numerous universities where her books are treated with the utmost respect. Today, Shannon Hale resides at her home near Salt Lake City, as a stay-at-home mom for her four beloved kids, while at the same time continuing her work as a fantasy writer.
Description of two books by Shannon Hale:
The Goose Girl
This book is the first one Shannon Hale published, and is the first book in the”Books of Bayern” series. It is based on a fairy tale of the same title which was written by the Brothers Grimm.Story follows a young princess named Anidori-Kilandra Talianna Islee from a mysterious land of Kildenree. Ani has a very unusuall and powerful gift – she can speak to animals. She spends a lot of time with her animal friends, and is becoming increasingly more mysterious to people around the kingdom. When her father, the king, suddenly dies from falling off his horse while riding with Ani, the queen decides to send off Ani to the Kingdom of Bayern to be the princess bride for the Bayern prince. She obeys her mother, although reluctantly because she is terrified, but finally decides to make the most of it. Unfortunately, she never makes it to Bayern, as her maid in waiting, best friend named Selia and guards decide to steal her crown, clothes, as well as her identity and end up killing anyone who stands in their way. Terrified, Ani runs away through the woods and puts her powers to good use, asking the animals for help. She comes across a cabin where a woman named Gilsa and her son Finn live, and they finally take her to Bayern, where she planned to explain to the king who she actually is. Her plan does not work, and Ani decides to work as a goose girl. Ani misses her old life, but meets new friends, amongst others Geric, the palace guard, who she falls in love with. Unfortunately, Geric leaves her a note saying that he cannot love her. After a while, Ani learns that Bayern is planning on attacking her kingdom, Kildenree, because Selia needs to eliminate any evidence of her not being a real princess. With the help of her friends Enna, Razo and Conrad, Ani tries to tell the king who Selia is and what she did, and with the help of Geric she manages to convince the king. Selia is captured, and Ani returns to her pallace, where she uncovers some good news – Geric is not just a guard, he is the prince of Bayern. The two of them get married, and live happily ever after.
Princess Academy
”Princess Academy” is the second most successful book published by Shannon Hale, and is a part of the ”Princess Academy” series.Story takes place on Mount Eskel, which is a territory in Danland, where the local villagers harvest precious stone called Iinder which is hidden deep inside the mountains. Main protagonist is a fourteen-year-old girl Miri who is of small stature, and is not allowed to work in the quarries with everyone else. One day, it is announced that the new princess will be selected from Mount Eskel, and Miri with other girls is sent to a Princess Academy where they are taught ladylike manners, and are trained to become proper princess brides. At the Academy girls uncover her true talents as their minds expand, and Miri finds herself surrounded by books, and chooses knowledge and reading over being a princess. Miri wants to see the world more than getting married, and with their newfound knowledge Miri and other girls are able to make important changes. They renegotiated with the traders, demanding more supplies, gained respect of the lowlanders and finally created conditions and terms for their education. Miri discovers that she is good at teaching and decides to dedicate her life to it. She goes on a journey of finding herself, and realizes who and what is the most important thing in her life, and that kind of knowledge cannot be bought not even with all the jewels in the world.
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