Summary: Beast, a girl who doesn’t realize she’s human, is about to experience something new. Is it possible that she can learn to be a human? Or will she go back to her old life? 

Notes: didn’t realize that this was an allegory until I was about halfway through. Once I did realize, everything clicked into place. Chawna Schoeder has woven a story of true worth, adoption, and redemption. The girl, Beast, thinks that she is just an animal until the King’s daughter shows her differently and names her Sarah. She resists, thinking that it is impossible that anyone would love her. This book is a journey, in every sense of the word. I especially love the name that she is given. “Sarah” means “princess.” The King and his daughter are determined to take Sarah out of the darkness and into the light. If I say much more, I will spoil the story. 

Age of Main Character: around twelve 

Violence: scourging, mistreatment of the main character. 

Romance: None. 

Scary Themes: Slavery, abuse, self-doubt, betrayal. 

Genre: Allegory