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Description edit see section history

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for... read more

Characters edit see section history

  • America Singer: The seventeen year old beautiful-looking protagonist. Third child of the family. Has a beautiful singing voice, but her caste is a Five. Known for her red hair, musical talent, and kind nature. Underestimates her own abilities.
  • Aspen Leger: America's eighteen year old secret boyfriend. His caste is a Six. Really loves America but has to struggle to take care of his family. Convinces America to enter the Selection so he will not be guilty for holding her back.
  • Maxon Schreave: The compassionate prince of Illéa. He has golden hair and brown eyes. Is a little awkward with girls, having had little contact with them, but begins to fall for America.
  • May Singer: America's fourteen year old younger sister. Has a lively and bubbly personality. Has a sweet tooth. Looks exactly like America, except a 3 year late version.
  • Marlee Tames: One of the Selected, from Kent. A Four, sweet, outgoing Four who quickly befriends America. Very beloved by the others. Travels with America to Angeles.
  • Celeste Newsome: One of the Selected. Is a haughty, mean Two who is bent on winning the Selection. Travels with America to Angeles, but always tries to insult her because of America's caste.
  • Queen Amberly: The regal, kind queen of Illéa. Won the Selection in the previous generation, despite being part of one of the lower castes (Four).
  • Kenna Singer: America's older sister. Married to James who is a Four, and is currently pregnant.
  • Gerad Singer: The youngest of the Singer children. Struggles to find his artistic talents, and because of his caste, Five, he can't do the thing he wants - and thinks it is unfair.
  • Kota Singer: America's older brother. Has become a well known artist, and he betrayed his family by moving away from home in order to become a Two.
  • Lucy: One of America's maids. Has had a difficult life, and often has trouble regulating her emotional responses, especially to rebel invasions because of her worst memory about the rebellion possible compared to the other maids.
  • Mary: One of America's maids. Born in the castle.
  • Anne: One of America's maids. Was an orphan who was taken in to work at the palace when they needed staff, often the leader of the America's maids. Very eager to help America, and has leadership.
Show all 13 characters
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Quotes edit see section history

  • “35 GIRLS. 1 CROWN. THE COMPETITION OF A LIFETIME.”
  • “He stood and went to read my pin as I approached. “America, is it?” he said, a smile playing on his lips.“Yes, it is. And I know I’ve heard your name before, but could you remind me?””
    America Singer & Prince Maxon
  • ““Do you think the ability to sleep incounts as a special skill?” I asked Dad, trying to sound torn over the decision.“Yes, list that. And don’t forget to write that you can eat an entire meal in under five minutes,” he replied. I laughed. It was true; I did tend to inhale my food.“Oh, the both of you! Why don’t you justwrite down that you’re an absolute heathen!””
    America Singer & her parents
  • “"I only really ever hug my mother. Is this okay?” he asked. I laughed. “It’s hard to get a hug wrong."”
    America Singer & Prince Maxon
  • “If you don't want me to be in love with you, you're going to have stop looking so lovely. First thing tomorrow, I'm having your maids sewing potato sacks together for you.”
    Prince Maxon to America Singer
  • “America Singer, one day you will fall asleep in my arms every night. And you'll wake up to my kisses every morning.”
    Aspen Leger
  • “Your family must be very different from mine."I'd say so." I laughed. "For one, no one wears their tiaras to breakfast."Maxon smiled. "More of a dinner thing at the Singer house?” “Of course.””
    America Singer & Prince Maxon
  • “"I hit your thigh!” “Oh, please. A man doesn’t need that long to recover from a knee to the thigh””
    America Singer & Prince Maxon
  • “"Imagine your 'dear' .... Imagine that she depends on you.... She needs you to provide for her and protect her. And if it came to a point where there was absolutely nothing to eat, and you couldn't even fall asleep at night because the sound of her stomach growling kept you awake-" "Stop it!"”
    America Singer, then Prince Maxon

Setting & Locations edit see section history

Illéa

First Sentence edit see section history

When we got the letter in the post, my mother was ecstatic.

Table of Contents edit see section history

Chapters 1 - 25

Glossary edit see section history

  • The Selection: A competition to see who will be the next queen and wife of the Prince.
  • Ones: the royal family and religious figures
  • Twos: those who served in the army
  • Threes: the intellectuals, the great minds, the inventors, writers, and teachers.
  • Fours: merchants and farmers
  • Fives: lower entertainers. Artists, classical musicians, stage actors, and even the occasional clown.
  • Sixes: domestics. They did indoor work and paperwork for the upper castes
  • Sevens: manual labor. Trash collectors, ditch diggers, movers
  • Eights: Untouchables. People who had been abandoned or orphaned with no way to prove their caste.

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 1 of 4 in The Selection. (standard series)

Preceded by The Prince, and followed by The Elite.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Kiera Cass (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: HarperTeen
Country: USA
Publication Date: April 24, 2012
ISBN: 978-0062059932
Page Count: 352

Classification edit see section history

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Young Adults

13+ ... Passionate kissing between Aspen & America. As far as sex, America states "We've done everything but." America mentions that keeping your virginity until you're married is required by law, and then indicates that that is why most people marry young. Curse words h*ll and d**n are used a few times.

More Books Like This edit see section history

   
  • Wither

Books with Additional Background Information edit see section history

   
  • The Prince
  • The Elite

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