<h3>Book of a Thousand Days</h3>

Hale, Shannon. (2007). Book a Thousand Days. New York: Bloomsbury. ISBN: 9781599900513

Plot Summary: Dashti is an orphan within the “mucker” social class who is hired as a maid to serve Lady Saren, a weak, lonely and unlearned teenage girl of the noble class. When Dashti arrives at the palace, she learns that Lady Saren is condemned by her father to live seven years in a tower for refusing the romantic overtures of Lord Khasar, ruler of a neighboring realm, in favor of a childhood penpal, Khan Tegus. Dashti agrees to stay even when others have fled and they are locked in a tower with only a small flap open to the outside world.

Out of a sense of duty and kindness, Dashti reluctantly agrees to speak to others through the tower flap as Lady Saren commands. After 932 days, Dashti discovers a way to escape, only to discover that Lady Saren’s castle has been destroyed by Lord Khasar. They find their way to Khan Tegus’ kingdom and secure work in the palace kitchen under different identities. Lady Saren’s constant fear prevents her from revealing who she is and repeatedly begs Dashti to impersonate her while she remains hidden.

Dashti’s knowledge and healing skills become apparent, as she is promoted to serve Khan Tegus himself. They develop a personal connection and fall in love. When her impersonation of Lady Saren is discovered by others, she must sacrifice her pride in order to save the kingdom. In the end, the truth emerges in a series of plot twists, Dashti is declared as family by Lady Saren and allowed to marry Khan Tegus. Lady Saren finds the courage to save Dashti from criminal judgement and she gains confidence from her experiences, just as Dashti transcends her own limiting self-image and finds inner strength to become nobility.

Critical Evaluation: As a contemporary retelling of a Brothers Grimm tale, this story transports the reader into another time and place. Dashti is an irrepressible heroine with her endless patience of Lady Saren and her sense of ingenuity that saves their lives. During their journey, Dashti remains earnest and humble, yet overcomes her insecurity about being a low-class maid. In the process, she also develops her talent for healing through songs and memories of her family. The transformation of her character, and that of Lady Saren, are glowing examples for today’s teens struggling with their own strengths and weaknesses. This novel, presented as diary entries, is suspenseful, eloquently written, adventurous and filled with lessons about the power of friendships and being true to yourself.

Reader’s Annotation: What would you do if you were locked in a castle tower for seven years with only a lazy friend and a cat to keep you company? What would you do if your friend asks you to speak for her because she is painfully shy? What would you do if you lived in an ancient time far away and are caught between warring nations? What would you do if the prince is in love with you but you cannot reveal your true identity to him? Watch Dashti, the main character, somehow cope with all these questions and still remain a good-hearted and heroic teenage girl.

Information About the Author: Shannon Hale has written several books that capture the essence of fairy tales, yet retells them in a uniquely contemporary way. She has been praised for her lyrical style of writing and for developing likeable, wholesome and often feminist characters. A Mormon author living in Salt Lake City, Utah, she has studied English Literature at the University of Utah and Creative Writing at the University of Montana. She is married to Dean Hale and is the mother of two children. She has become very popular among teen girls during the past 5 years and is a friend of fellow Mormon YA author, Stephenie Meyer, of the Twilight series. Included among the awards and recognitions she has won for her novels are the ALA Top Ten Teen Book Selections, the Josette Frank Award for Fiction, Humpty Dumpty Chapter Book Award and the Newberry Medal Honor Book Awards.

Genre:
Teen Issues: Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Problems, Crime and Criminals, Physical and Emotional Abuse, Outsiders, Homelessness and Foster Living
Contemporary Life: Coming of Age, Romance
Adventure: Survival, War
Fantasy: Fairy Tales
Heroes and Heroines: Magic
Historic Novels: Unique Settings
Alternative Formats: Diaries and Journals

Curriculum Ties: English Class, Book Clubs, Social Clubs, Social Studies Class, History Class, Recommendations for Young Adult Female Readers

Booktalking Ideas:
1.) Class Struggles in ancient times to present
2.) The effect of domestic violence and parental absence upon teen perspectives
3.) What it takes to be a good friend, despite challenges and mistreatment
4.) Spiritual healing through human touch and vocal expression
5.) Impersonations and revealing true identities

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 13-21

Challenge Issues/Defenses:

Potential Challenges: Shannon Hale books would probably be considered acceptable by many watchful communities, as they present relatively wholesome characters, traditional plots and take place outside of harsh contemporary life. Her novels are assumed to be aligned with Mormon values, though these issues are not apparent within novel content. If any issues were challenged, perhaps it would be these:
• Depictions of domestic abuse and punishment
• Portrayal of characters with psychic powers
• Teens living without parental supervision
• Presents situations that involve deception and lying

Defense Strategy:
• Provide our Collection Development Policy (which includes Young Adult scope): http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/library/collection.asp

• Refer to book reviews and awards earned by this book:
Deliciously Clean Reads blog: http://cleanreads.blogspot.com/2007/11/book-of-thousand-days-by-shannon-hale.html

Good Reads Forum: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/248484.Book_of_a_Thousand_Days/248484.Book_of_a_Thousand_Days
Amazon.com Reader Reviews: http://www.amazon.com/Book-Thousand-Days-Shannon-Hale/dp/1599903784/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259993619&sr=1-1

Why This Book Was Included: Shannon Hale is a newly emerging author with great appeal for young adult readers. Her novels offer an alternative to harder-hitting topics within today's teen novels and it's interesting how she revisits fairy tales long forgotten. Her style of writing is captivating and her characters are memorable, particularly for their strong and spirited approach to life. I will read anything this author writes, though I prefer her young adult novels over her adult books.