In A.D. 595, Princess Sondok was the daughter of royalty living in South Korea. She was a bright young girl who enjoyed the life of luxury, but she also knew that someday she would be heir to the throne. Sondok wanted to learn the things that would make her a good and responsible ruler but, as in many ancient countries, girls were not given the opportunity to learn beyond what was needed to run a household.

Koreans believed in the power of the moon and stars and felt those heavenly bodies could bring prosperity to their lives. They also believed their ruler was responsible for controlling the heavens, so Sondok wanted to learn all she could about astronomy but her tutor strongly opposed it. When he and Sondok clash over a new calendar, the tutor convinces her father to listen to him. In fact, the tutor's influence becomes so strong that Sondok fears for her own future and the welfare of her country. In this fascinating novel of letters to her grandmother, readers will learn about Sondok's struggle to become a strong leader and open the door of opportunity for other women in her time.

   --- Reviewed by Ann L. Bruns