Mary, Queen of Scots: Queen without a Country, France 1553 FROM THE PUBLISHER
Mary is only nine months old when she is crowned Queen of Scotland, succeeding her father, King James V. Because of political conflicts, she is separated from her mother and her country at the age of five. For the benefit of forging an alliance with France, she is betrothed to Francis, the son of King Henry II of France, and his wife, the vicious and jealous Queen Catherine de Medici. Mary is sent to France to live in their care until she is old enough for the marriage to take place. It is at their home, the beautiful Chateau St. Germaine, that we first meet the irresistibly charming Mary at 11 years old.
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - Heather Robertson
Mary, Queen of Scots was a tragic figure as an adultﾽmarried three times and widowed twice, involved in numerous plots, imprisoned in the Tower of London for many years and eventually executed by Queen Elizabeth. But what was she like as a child? Kathryn Lasky attempts to answer that question in this edition in the "Royal Diaries" series. The story begins the day after Mary's eleventh birthday in France during the year of 1553. Mary is both a young queen raised from her birth to be treated as a royal and entrusted with the executive power any queen would have, and a young girl wishing to do nothing but play with her friends and attend beautiful parties. Lasky expertly shows both sides of Mary, mixing childish dreams and complaints, like having to participate in a ballet that she feels is stupid, with more adult worries, such as her upcoming marriage to Francis, son of King Henry II of France. The book provides a glimpse into what life was like for a royal in that era. At the end of the book, there is a section with pictures and a family tree to help readers understand the era better and to tell where the fact ends and the fiction begins. All in all, it is a fascinating read, easy enough for middle readers but still interesting enough for advanced readers. 2002, Scholastic,
School Library Journal
Gr 4-8-Mary was only nine months old when she was crowned Queen of Scotland, succeeding her father, King James V. Because of the many political conflicts, she was separated from her mother and her country at the age of five. To forge an alliance with France, she was betrothed to Francis, the son of King Henry II of France and Queen Catherine de Medici. Mary was promptly sent to live in their care until she was old enough for the marriage to take place. That is where this story begins, as she chronicles her life throughout a one-year period. Life in France is filled with dances, playing with her future husband, and hawking, which is Mary's favorite pastime. However, the girl's life is made very difficult by the jealous queen. She finds comfort though in Henry's mistress Diane de Poitier, who is very much the lady and gives Mary strength and inspiration throughout the good and bad times. As with the other titles in the series, this diary is packed with facts that will give readers a wonderful opportunity to learn about a unique heroine from history. A historical note, epilogue, reproductions, and a family tree provide just enough additional information to whet the appetites of readers who may want to continue to explore the background of this ill-fated queen.-Janet Gillen, Great Neck Public Library, NY Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
In keeping with the theme of the Royal Diaries Series, one year in the life of young Mary Stuart is told as if she had kept a journal. The historical detail rings true: Mary's coronation as Queen of Scotland as an infant; her betrothal at age five to the Dauphin of France in a geopolitical effort to foil the British; her upbringing in the French court under the care of Henry II and Catherine de Medici. But it is the personal details that will keep readers' attention. Lasky (Mommy's Hands, p. 416, etc.) portrays a queen who is well aware of her power and position at age 11, yet experiences universal emotions more typical of her age: a longing for love and friendship; joy in fancy clothes and dances; a desire to be respected and "grown-up," coupled with the urge to remain childlike. Mary's yearning for her mother back in Scotland and for her homeland itself are heartbreaking, but her goodhearted intentions toward her attendants, affection toward her future husband, efforts to be ready for First Communion, perceptive comments about the other members of the French court, and her assurance that even at 11 she must conduct herself as a queen make this year in her life more inspiring than sad. An epilogue, historical note, and annotated family tree put the events in perspective and reveal the unfortunate ending to Mary's life: she was beheaded as a rival to the English throne at age 45. Mary, Queen of Scots remains a beloved figure to history buffs; this enjoyable and approachable account should serve as a springboard for further inquiry for today's readers. (Historical fiction. 9-14)
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