Nine Days a Queen : The Short Life and Reign of Lady Jane Grey

From School Library Journal
Grade 7 Up–Great-granddaughter of Henry VII and cousin to King Henry VIII's children Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth, Lady Jane Grey was fifth in line to the throne but never wanted to reign. At age nine, she was sent to court to be a companion to Katharine Parr, Henry VIII's last wife, and, after the king's death, she continued to live with Katharine and her new husband Sir Thomas Seymour. Lady Jane became a pawn in the complex game of political maneuvers, until, with the death of King Edward VI, she was forced to accept the throne as a move to block Mary and her Catholic supporters. When Mary's right to the throne was recognized, she had 16-year-old Jane beheaded. This story would be an interesting companion to Carolyn Meyer's Mary, Bloody Mary (1999) and Beware, Princess Elizabeth(2001, both Harcourt), which relate similar history from different perspectives. Rinaldi tells Lady Jane's story in the first person, but the narrative reads more like a catalog of events than an intensely dramatic novel. Readers who are familiar with the time period will appreciate the treatment that this little-covered piece of history receives, but other readers may be confused by the multitude of characters, all of whom come and go rather quickly. The author's note states that she fictionalized some events for the sake of the story and interpreted others to tighten her plot. Readers would benefit from a note to explain more of the facts and perhaps clarify what was fictionalized.–Cheri Dobbs, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI

From Booklist
Gr. 6-8. Lady Jane Grey speaks from beyond the grave to tell her convoluted story, which Rinaldi does her best to simplify. Jane, related to the Tudors through her mother, becomes third in line to the throne following the death of her cousin, King Edward. Unfortunately, Jane is betrothed to the son of a nobleman who is determined to keep Mary, who is Catholic, from assuming the throne. Finagling puts Jane on the throne for nine days--after which she is beheaded. This well-known end to Jane's story takes up a small part of the book; a greater part recounts her life of privilege; her friendship with her cousins Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth; and happy times spent away from her cruel parents. Numerous details about food, clothing, and amusements decorate the story. Knowledge of English history will certainly be helpful to understand the politics, but this works well as the story of a young woman buffeted by events, whose few moments of happiness are her most valuable possession. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"The combination of pageantry and maneuvering will likely appeal to fans of historical romance."

Book Description

I had freckles.
I had sandy hair. I was too short.
Would my feet even touch the ground if I sat on the throne?

These are the words of lady Jane Grey, as imagined by celebrated author Ann Rinaldi. Jane would become Queen of England for only nine days before being beheaded at the age of sixteen.

ANNOTATION

Lady Jane Grey, who at sixteen was Queen of England for nine days before being executed, recounts her life story from the age of nine.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

I had freckles.
I had sandy hair. I was too short.
Would my feet even touch the ground if I sat on the throne?

These are the words of lady Jane Grey, as imagined by celebrated author Ann Rinaldi. Jane would become Queen of England for only nine days before being beheaded at the age of sixteen.

Here is a breathtaking story of English royalty with its pageantry, privilege, and surprising cruelty. As she did in her previous novel Mutiny's Daughter, Ms. Rinaldi uses powerful, evocative writing to bring to life a teenage girl caught in the grip of stirring times.

About the Author:

Ann Rinaldi is known by her many fans for her richly satisfying historical fiction. Eight of her novels have been named ALA Best Books for Young Adults, including Time Enough For Drums, The Last Silk Dress, A Break With Charity, and Wolf By the Ears. Author of more than thirty books for young readers, including a book in the Dear America series, she was awarded the National History Award by the Daughters of the American Revolution. She lives in Somerville, New Jersey.

FROM THE CRITICS

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-Great-granddaughter of Henry VII and cousin to King Henry VIII's children Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth, Lady Jane Grey was fifth in line to the throne but never wanted to reign. At age nine, she was sent to court to be a companion to Katharine Parr, Henry VIII's last wife, and, after the king's death, she continued to live with Katharine and her new husband Sir Thomas Seymour. Lady Jane became a pawn in the complex game of political maneuvers, until, with the death of King Edward VI, she was forced to accept the throne as a move to block Mary and her Catholic supporters. When Mary's right to the throne was recognized, she had 16-year-old Jane beheaded. This story would be an interesting companion to Carolyn Meyer's Mary, Bloody Mary (1999) and Beware, Princess Elizabeth (2001, both Harcourt), which relate similar history from different perspectives. Rinaldi tells Lady Jane's story in the first person, but the narrative reads more like a catalog of events than an intensely dramatic novel. Readers who are familiar with the time period will appreciate the treatment that this little-covered piece of history receives, but other readers may be confused by the multitude of characters, all of whom come and go rather quickly. The author's note states that she fictionalized some events for the sake of the story and interpreted others to tighten her plot. Readers would benefit from a note to explain more of the facts and perhaps clarify what was fictionalized.-Cheri Dobbs, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews