Forest Born (Shannon Hale)

Author Biography

Shannon Hale is the Newbery Honor-winning author of Princess Academy, as well as the four Books of Bayern. She lives in South Jordan, Utah.


Published By: Bloomsbury U.S.A.


Year: 2009


ISBN-13: 978-1-59990-167-1


ISBN-10: 1-59990-167-6


Reading Level: Grades 9 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

Ashamed of her secret power to manipulate others, Rin goes through life repressing all desires and hiding her true self, except from her beloved trees. But when the royal family faces a terrifying threat, Rin’s true self just might save the kingdom.

Plot Summary:

Fifteen-year-old Rinna lives in the Forest with her widowed Ma and many relatives. But none of them really know her. At age seven, she cruelly manipulated another child with powerful words, and Ma’s anger left her racked with guilt. Since then she’s imitated others, playing the charming sister and sweet, selfless daughter, terrified of losing Ma’s love if her true, “bad” self is revealed again. Her secret source of comfort is the trees, whose inner feelings and peace she finds she can sense. But then one day she breaks her own rules, once again uses powerful words and manipulates someone. From then on, the trees seem to reject her.

When her brother Razo, close friend to King Geric and Queen Isi, goes back to the capitol after a visit, Rin runs from her guilt and fears by joining him. At the palace, she idolizes the charm and confidence of the queen and her companions Enna and Dasha. When a lethal skirmish occurs near a neighboring land’s border, Isi and friends set forth to investigate… and Rin tags along. This perilous journey will reveal the truth behind her power of manipulation. A terrible power, known to corrupt all who use it: people-speaking.

Critical Evaluation:

This forth and last of the Books of Bayern is possibly the most poignant book of the series. Once again, it’s a distinctly different work from its predecessors: in contrast to the fairy-tale of The Goose Girl, the fiery war drama of Enna Burning and the mystery-adventure of River Secrets, here we have the moving character study of a shame-filled young girl’s journey toward self-acceptance. This journey is set against the backdrop of a threat to Bayern posed by an old enemy, long believed dead but now more frighteningly powerful than ever. Through confronting this enemy, Rin is forced to confront her own inner demons as well.

Rin’s struggle with her “evil” power of people-speaking and with the self-loathing that stems from it will resonate with any young reader who knows insecurity and shame. Especially girls who feel pressured to hide all flaws and be sweet, docile and selfless. Above all, readers on the autism spectrum or with personality disorders will find her profoundly relatable. Afraid to show her real feelings or desires, Rin goes through life mirroring other people. To her mother she’s a hardworking nurturer, to Razo a scrappy, funny sibling, to Isi a confident, ladylike friend, etc. But to save both Bayern and herself, she needs to embrace the true Rin: a girl of down-to-earth kindness, empathy and fierce courage, who knows her own capacity for cruelty, but realizes that she’s not doomed to act on it and that her powers can be used for good instead of evil. Her second inborn power, tree-speaking, becomes her key. Like mindfulness meditation, connecting to the trees’ solid serenity keeps her grounded and at ease, but only when she lets go of guilt. By watching her achieve self-acceptance, young readers will hopefully learn to find in themselves.

Curriculum Ties:

•Fantasy worlds

Challenge Issues:

•Violence

•Disturbing imagery

•Sexual harassment

•Suicide

Why This Book?

Effortlessly blending fantasy-adventure with its heroine’s moving, relatable inner journey, Forest Born is a truly beautiful conclusion to the Books of Bayern.