Princess Academy

Shannon Hale is an American author known for her work in children’s fiction, young adult fantasy, and graphic novels. She grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she edited her high school’s literary magazine and participated in theater productions. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Utah in 1998 before attending the University of Montana, where she got a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing. 

Hale is best known for writing the Princess Academy series, the first book of which won a Newbery Award, as well as the Books of Bayern series, beginning with The Goose Girl. She also wrote Austenland, a novel for adults that was adapted into a film starring Keri Russell. In collaboration with her husband, Dean, Hale has co-authored multiple works, including two Squirrel Girl comics for Marvel, the Princess in Black series, and the Rapunzel’s Revenge series. The couple has four children.

A defining characteristic of Hale’s writing is her portrayal of strong, resourceful female characters. In The Goose Girl, Ani, the determined protagonist, harnesses her deep connection with nature to help the kingdom of Bayern. In the Princess in Black series, Princess Magnolia—who is named after Hale’s daughter Magnolia—embodies bravery as she secretly fights monsters disguised as the Princess in Black.