''The Redheaded Princess'' is a young adult

historical fiction Historical fiction is a literary genre in which a fictional plot takes place in the Setting (narrative), setting of particular real past events, historical events. Although the term is commonly used as a synonym for historical fiction literatur ...

novel by American author Ann Rinaldi, published by

HarperCollins HarperCollins Publishers LLC is a British–American publishing company that is considered to be one of the "Big Five (publishers), Big Five" English-language publishers, along with Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group USA, Hachette, Macmi ...

in 2008.

Plot

The book tells the story of the young

Elizabeth I Elizabeth I (7 September 153324 March 1603) was List of English monarchs, Queen of England and List of Irish monarchs, Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death in 1603. She was the last and longest reigning monarch of the House of Tudo ...

, from age nine until she becomes Queen of England in 1558, at the age of 25. Most of the novel takes place after the death of her father,

Henry VIII Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is known for his Wives of Henry VIII, six marriages and his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. ...

, during the reign of her older sister,

Mary I Mary I (18 February 1516 – 17 November 1558), also known as Mary Tudor, was Queen of England and Ireland from July 1553 and Queen of Spain as the wife of King Philip II from January 1556 until her death in 1558. She made vigorous a ...

. The book dramatizes Elizabeth's flirtations with Thomas Seymour and her relationship with childhood friend and suitor Robert Dudley.

Critical reception

In a starred review, ''

Booklist ''Booklist'' is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. ''Booklist''s primary audience consists of libraries, educators, and booksellers. The magazine is ...

s Anne O'Malley praised ''The Redheaded Princess'''s "rich scene-setting and believable, appealing heroine." Deborah Stevenson, writing for ''

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books ''The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books'' is an academic journal established in 1945 by Frances E. Henne ( University of Chicago Graduate Library School).Wedgeworth, Robert. ''World Encyclopedia of Library and Information Services''. C ...

,'' claimed the novel contained some historical inaccuracies and underplayed biographical details such as Elizabeth's Protestantism.

References

External links

Teenreads.com
2008 American novels Novels by Ann Rinaldi American young adult novels Children's historical novels Novels depicting Elizabeth I HarperCollins books 2008 children's books Children's books set in England Children's books set in the 16th century Fiction set in the 1540s Fiction set in the 1550s {{2000s-child-hist-novel-stub