The Goose Girl

I just finished this book for a book club I am in with my Primary secretary and two other people. This is authored by a local Mormon girl, Shannon Hale, and is an extended adaptation of the Grimm's brother fairytale of the same name.
Ani, a crown princess, is the oldest daughter and has been given the gift of animal-speaking. She eventually is betrothed to a prince in a neighboring city and takes the long journey accompanied by guards and her lady-in-waiting, Selia. Along the way, half of the guards and Selia rebel in an effort to take charge of the princess. She escapes and is eventually forced to disguise herself in the new city and tries to figure out how to let people know who she is (and believe her!).
Along the way, she looses her dear horse, Falada, and meets many new people. She works as a goose girl for the kingdom and, unbeknownst to her, meets the prince who she was betrothed to.
I liked the book and especially loved the ending where Ani and the prince "hook up." I recommend this book to anyone, but I think teenage girls would especially enjoy this book. Shannon Hale is a talented writer who has given us, among The Goose Girl, Enna Burning, The Princess Academy, and Austenland.