Rating: My Bookshelf

Reading Level: Mid-late Elementary, Middle School, High School

If you liked C.S. Lewis’s Voyage of the Dawn Treader or Screwtape Letters, you might really enjoy the lost princess story. MacDonald expertly captures the thoughts of two young girls with very different but incredibly heinous vices. As I read, I identified with each and from her story saw new insights into ways my own thinking needed God’s touch.

Although God is not explicitly referenced, the “wise woman” is the picture of genuine love, forgiveness and divine sovereignty in each of their stories. And, just as in our own journeys, attempts to cure ourselves without the power of the Devine are futile.

Possible Concerns:

  • Magic, etc. There is certainly magic and fantasy elements, and the “wise woman” can transform her shape- but if that doesn’t bother you I think there are rich spiritual lessons in this one. I’d let my kids read it unsupervised, although discussion would enhance the lessons even more.

Discussion questions:

  1. Which princess’s weaknesses do you identify with more with?
  2. What would you see when you look in the wise woman’s mirror? What does God see when he looks at you?
  3. Do you think the shepherd princess will be saved too? Why or why not? What about her mother, the shepherdess? What do you think helped the shepherd see the wise woman?
  4. How do you think blindness will help the king & queen? Do you think it will help the princess too? How? Have you ever had any hardships that helped grow your character? What does the Bible say about hardships?
  5. The princess isn’t successful until she asks the wise woman for help. Have you ever struggled with something until you asked God for help? Did He help you a little bit like the princess or was it a fast & full recovery? Are you struggling with anything now that God can help you with?