Pran of Albania by Elizabeth Miller (published 1929) is a Newbery Honor book about a teenager in Albania whose world is changing as war comes to her region. After the author gives us a glimpse into the unique lifestyle of mountain-dwelling people, Pran and her family become refugees as the women and children flee the mountains to go to the city. Although the beginning of the book feels rather slow as the setting is being established and the characters are being introduced, by the end of the book the reader feels invested in Pran’s story and finds the end result satisfying.
The author gives the reader an insight into the regular routines of Pran’s mountain life in the beginning scenes so there is a contrast. In the first chapter, we discover that Pran is alert, interested, and aware of the conversations of the men as she figures out current events. She shows her leadership and care when she does errands/chores on the mountain with her twin brothers. It is out on the mountainside that Pran meets Nush, a somewhat mysterious boy who also lives in the mountains. He proves to a consequential character as she repeatedly meets him throughout the book in various locales.
As even these first scenes displayed, Pran is a very likeable main character. She’s very resourceful, and when she and her family are living in refugee circumstances, she’s able to keep people going and find ways to earn money so they can survive. She proves herself to be brave when she takes things to her father, who is at the border of Albania fighting for their land. She shows her strength as she treks down the mountain with a sick baby in order to save his life. She bravely makes decisions that show her virtuous and honest character.
In some respects, Pran of Albania dragged on. For example, returning to her home after the battles felt significant, but Pran’s story was not yet over. Now there is another twist to the story: Pran’s father gives Pran an offer for an arranged marriage, but she realizes she really loves the Nush, and so doesn’t want to marry anybody else. This gives the reader a glimpse into the unique situation of a girl who takes on a “virgin vow” to never marry and thus is able to mingle into the world of the men in a unique setting. She helps orchestrate peace among the various family groups because of her unique position as a woman among the men. She convinces them that the generations-long blood feud is futile.
That is not all there is to the story, but I’ll leave it there. My main frustration with this book was the lack of context. Is this based on a particular war? Is it contemporary to 1929, or is it a historical look at a dying culture? In what year did Pran’s story take place? We’ll never know. I did like Pran’s story, but I wish it was more concise. It is not a book likely to capture the attention of most young readers today, even though it presents a completely unique setting and characters unlike any other book for children and teens.
Pran of Albania was a Newbery runner-up (now called Honors) in 1930. It’s “PRETTY GOOD” and I say read it “MAYBE IF YOU HAVE TIME”
Newbery rating scale: FANTASTIC | REALLY GOOD | PRETTY GOOD | OKAY | BLAH
What to do with this Newbery: KEEP IT AND READ IT | MAYBE IF YOU HAVE TIME | DON’T BOTHER
