Princess Academy is a pretty straightforward title for a book about a bunch of girls who have to go to an academy to become potential princesses. But even though their stated goal is to win the affection of the prince and become princess, the princess academy comes to represent so much more. The girls—especially Miri—aren't just learning their lessons so that they can marry some dude; no, they're learning for themselves, so that they can become more knowledgeable individuals who contribute more to their communities. Who needs a prince anyway?