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98th out of 350 books
—
905 voters
The Redheaded Princess
by
Ann Rinaldi
Growing up, Elizabeth fears she can never be Queen. Although she is the King's daughter, no woman can ever hope to rule over men in England, especially when her mother has been executed for treason.
For all her royal blood, Elizabeth's life is fraught with danger and uncertainty. Sometimes she is welcome in the royal court; other times she is cast out into the countryside....more
For all her royal blood, Elizabeth's life is fraught with danger and uncertainty. Sometimes she is welcome in the royal court; other times she is cast out into the countryside....more
Hardcover, 214 pages
Published
January 29th 2008
by HarperCollins
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May 11, 2008
Jennifer Wardrip
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
trt-posted-reviews,
trt-gold-star-award-winner
Reviewed by The Compulsive Reader for TeensReadToo.com
In Rinaldi's spectacular new book for young adults, she's moved beyond American history to British, and the tale of a young redheaded girl who yearned to be queen.
Despised by her father and sister, shoved aside by the nation's leaders, and motherless, young Elizabeth I grows up at her country estate where she learns from a young age the dangers of crossing paths with monarchs. She realizes that even though her sister and her brother stand be...more
In Rinaldi's spectacular new book for young adults, she's moved beyond American history to British, and the tale of a young redheaded girl who yearned to be queen.
Despised by her father and sister, shoved aside by the nation's leaders, and motherless, young Elizabeth I grows up at her country estate where she learns from a young age the dangers of crossing paths with monarchs. She realizes that even though her sister and her brother stand be...more
This was the first book I have read by Ann Rinaldi. I liked it. The redheaded princess being Elizabeth I, Queen of England. This is a historical fiction about her early life as the princess. Again, I was reading aloud with my 11 year-old daughter, and we both enjoyed the story. It wasn't as captivating as I had hoped. It was good, but not great.
I did find myself cringing at one part in the book. Sir Thomas Seymour loved Elizabeth enough to propose to her, but once she refused, took little time t...more
I did find myself cringing at one part in the book. Sir Thomas Seymour loved Elizabeth enough to propose to her, but once she refused, took little time t...more
The whole time I was reading The Redheaded Princess, I kept thinking I had read it before. But no, that didn't seem quite right. Why was it so familiar? I do not read a lot of historical fiction so what had I read that dealt with this time period? I was flummoxed - until Lady Jane Grey became Queen. Ah, yes, I had read the 'story' from her perspective. After finishing the book, I read the Author's Note and discovered that Rinaldi had also penned that version of events. Ok. Now, it all makes sens...more
As far as historical fiction for young adults is concerned, this is one of the best books I have read in quite a while. I actually have read extensively about Queen Elizabeth I’s reign, as I have a fascination for this particular time in British history. I found the book to be very well-researched and richly detailed. It is undoubtedly a good introduction to the historical fiction genre for the middle grades and above. I feel that the author, Ann Rinaldi, was able to capture the compelling and c...more
Sep 28, 2012
Kayla
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Any young teenager that like historical fiction
I read this for a book report in 8th grade. We had to go this thing where we had to find an adult to read the book with us and I read it with my mom. I just picked and I didn't quite understand. When I was 13, I was quite ignorant to the Tudor era. I didn't even know Elizabeth I was Henry VIII's daughter.
This book is the starter of a long standing 3 and a half year long obsession I've had with Edward VI. Honestly, he was my favorite character. I loved him so much. He's probably one of the least...more
This book is the starter of a long standing 3 and a half year long obsession I've had with Edward VI. Honestly, he was my favorite character. I loved him so much. He's probably one of the least...more
Nothing doing. I just have to say it, I've read quite a few Elizabeth books (both before and after she was crowned) and this one just didn't connect.
Okay, this may just be wrong and I'm completely off my rocker, but in every other version of history I've heard, Elizabeth did not spend her whole life thinking about what she would do "when she was Queen." It just felt like the author was trying to bring across the fact that she was "born ready to rule" or something, and it just felt off. Elizabet...more
Okay, this may just be wrong and I'm completely off my rocker, but in every other version of history I've heard, Elizabeth did not spend her whole life thinking about what she would do "when she was Queen." It just felt like the author was trying to bring across the fact that she was "born ready to rule" or something, and it just felt off. Elizabet...more
I pretty much read this in one afternoon. I really like Ann Rinaldi's books even though I'm feeling I've begun to outgrow them. This was similar to her others. A strong female narrator. Characters that are enjoyable and you can understand their positions. There is something to think on. This is set in England though, unlike most of her books that are set in the United States.
I was interested in reading an alternative view of Elizabeth, to The Virgin's Lover which was so horrible. I was a little...more
I was interested in reading an alternative view of Elizabeth, to The Virgin's Lover which was so horrible. I was a little...more
First person retelling of Queen Elizabeth I, beginning when she was nine years old and subject to the whims of her father, Henry VIII, who was ill and dying. Her mother, Ann Boleyn, has been beheaded. Elizabeth and her half-sister, Mary, are in conflict over who is next in line for the throne after their half-brother, Edward.
The author conveys the complexities of these dangerous times and how easy it was to be sent to the Tower for beheading, even if you were a princess. Danger was everywhere an...more
The author conveys the complexities of these dangerous times and how easy it was to be sent to the Tower for beheading, even if you were a princess. Danger was everywhere an...more
This book was a pure delight! I loved this much more than I expected I would. It was interesting to find out how the bid for power was so important is those days. You had to choose your alliances carefully and loyalty was constantly changing, going back and forth. I loved that even at a young age Elizabeth knew exactly what she wanted and what she needed to do to get there. The author did a great job making her seem like a real girl but at the same time a girl who would grow up to one of the mos...more
This book was a very quick read that covered Elizabeth’s life before she became queen.
My main qualm with the book is how Elizabeth behaves. She was 25 when she became queen yet still acts like a teenager even when she is 25. When she is a teenager, I could understand the behavior to some degree, but I believe she would have been raised to handle her emotions and feelings better. From what I have read about Elizabeth, she is a calculating and clever woman who was probably aware most of her life...more
My main qualm with the book is how Elizabeth behaves. She was 25 when she became queen yet still acts like a teenager even when she is 25. When she is a teenager, I could understand the behavior to some degree, but I believe she would have been raised to handle her emotions and feelings better. From what I have read about Elizabeth, she is a calculating and clever woman who was probably aware most of her life...more
Cover Blurb: I don't mind the person on the cover of this book because it's a side profile, she's not staring at me, and it's done in the style of a portrait.
What I Liked: Rinaldi has always been good at breathing new life into historical figures. I think that it must be harder to do so with famous historical figures - such as Queen Elizabeth I. But she did a remarkable job. She paints a very interesting and entirely believable picture of a young Elizabeth: mature for her age, but flawed, and re...more
What I Liked: Rinaldi has always been good at breathing new life into historical figures. I think that it must be harder to do so with famous historical figures - such as Queen Elizabeth I. But she did a remarkable job. She paints a very interesting and entirely believable picture of a young Elizabeth: mature for her age, but flawed, and re...more
The year is 1542. Nine-year-old Elizabeth is aware of her destiny: she will one day be Queen of England. Her father Henry VIII alternately accepts and rejects her in court. The motherless Elizabeth is brought up by her nanny Catherine Ashley. An entire household of servants lives with her. Elizabeth is brave, intelligent, industrious , and scholarly; at age four she learned Latin! Elizabeth also learns to be wary and distrustful of people in court; their loyalties change quickly. Elizabeth watch...more
Mar 04, 2011
Lydia
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
romance fans, people who can stand slow-moving plots
I don't know what to expect from this author. I didn't know, I should say. I got it out because we're studying Queen Elizabeth right now in History, and I thought that this might be nice. I like historical fiction, usually. It captured my attention because of how amazing the picture on front is. Yes, yes, the girl is cute, but I was intrigued by how life-like the picture was, and you could literally imagine that this picture, this imagination was actually a real girl. Wow. So, I never saw that c...more
A student gave this a high recommendation, so I was let down by this book. I felt that the story dragged on and on rather than having clear episodes with highs and lows. This is probably due to the fact that it was about a real person and real life is structured however it turns out, but still, it impacted my enjoyment of the story. I didn't feel motivated to keep going. I was surprised that the story covered such a large span of time. If I didn't have any prior knowledge about the royal family,...more
This story is about the childhood and early adulthood of Elizabeth I. I enjoyed the characterization of Elizabeth, but, overall, I felt like this book fell prey to that historical fiction problem where the author tries a little too hard to make the story historically accurate. I feel like I could've gotten about the same experience reading a nonfictional account of Elizabeth I's life. In fact, this almost could've been a nonfictional account itself! There just wasn't much exploration beyond the...more
Rinaldi, Ann. 2008. The Redheaded Princess.
The Redheaded Princess. What can I say about this one? It's a fictional novel--for teens--about Princess Elizabeth. The novel opens when she's a child and she's still estranged from her father, King Henry VIII. The novel closes with the death of her sister, Queen Mary, a.k.a Bloody Mary. In between, there are many ups and downs along the way. Her semi-reconciliation with her father and his newest and latest wife, Katharine. Her relationship with her hal...more
The Redheaded Princess. What can I say about this one? It's a fictional novel--for teens--about Princess Elizabeth. The novel opens when she's a child and she's still estranged from her father, King Henry VIII. The novel closes with the death of her sister, Queen Mary, a.k.a Bloody Mary. In between, there are many ups and downs along the way. Her semi-reconciliation with her father and his newest and latest wife, Katharine. Her relationship with her hal...more
Jul 15, 2008
Sarah
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
grades 6-9
Recommended to Sarah by:
7/8 list
Shelves:
children-historical,
ya-historical
This story begins in England in the year 1542, when Elizabeth is nine years old. Although she is the daughter of King Henry VIII, she is not officially recognized as a princess because she, along with her other half-siblings Edward and Mary, have fallen out of their father’s favor. Instead, she lives as Lady Elizabeth, head of the household at Hatfield with her nanny. Throughout her childhood she rarely visits her father at the palace.
Many people say that she is very much like her father; this p...more
Many people say that she is very much like her father; this p...more
I loved every page of this book from beginning to end. It gives one a good glimps into life as a princess during a time of turmoil. I'm so glad I decided to buy this book instead of leaving it at the store, and borrow it from the library instead. I loved the characters, the setting, and the plot -This was a GREAT book! (I'm sure english history fans will find it enjoyable, though it's not going to be completely accurate, obviously since no book ever is.)
The Redheaded Princess was excellent. I love anything to do with the Elizabethan era. She is one of the most interesting historical figures. This book does not disappoint with the details of her life. However, it will take a very special kiddo to read it. It is marked for 9 -12 year olds. I think I will have a hard time encouraging most kids to read and finish it. It is very wordy and the average 10-year-old won't have the patience for it.
I enjoy the writings of Ann Rinaldi and this one is no exception. This was a quick read on a day when I was low energy. It is obvious the author did a lot of research regarding Elizabeth I. Rinaldi packed a lot of information into the pages without making it boring, or melodramtic.
A delightful, easy read which is a good example of historical fiction that can prompt the younger reader into learning more regarding this subject.
A delightful, easy read which is a good example of historical fiction that can prompt the younger reader into learning more regarding this subject.
Honestly I couldn't handle this book. I had to stop. IT wasn't really about the writing, which was fine. I couldn't handle the story which much of it is historical fiction and it horrifies me how much of it maybe true. I just couldn't handle the manipulation of this young girl and the selfishness of those who should have watched over and guided her. If you have a stronger stomach then me I think it was well written.
I always love a good story about Queen Elizabeth (especially her childhood). I gave this one a high rating because it was well written but...if this was the first historical fiction book i'd ever read about these characters, Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Thomas Seymour, etc, i would have been very confused. The author threw in random details that i found interesting but might be confusing for someone beginning to explore this topic. I will remember that when recommending it to patrons.
I honestly don't know why I decided to read this book! I just picked it up at the library one day because it sounded interesting and I loved the front cover. I ended up finishing it in a day, and I loved ever word of it. I'm not going to lie, I usually don't read these kinds of books. However, I'm glad I gave this one a chance. It was well written, kept me interested, and gave me new insites into history!
This is the story of Elizabeth, daughter of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. Rinaldi captures the intrigue, danger, and crazy world of English politics in this story of a young girl who grows up preparing to be queen. This book was interesting to read after having read the story of Jane Seymour, one of Henry's wives. It is good reading and has great insight into this mixed-up world of royalty.
Jul 27, 2011
Medina
added it
After taking over two weeks to finish the last book I read "Lucifer's Hammer" it was nice to slide back into the land of the young adult book and knock out a fun litle read in a couple of hours. It was light and fun and yet still informative enough that I would and will recomend it to the girls in my history class that are enchanted with the tales of the Tudors.
May 08, 2009
Jennie
added it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Highly recommended.
Recommended to Jennie by:
Carol Blake
A historical novel about Elizabeth I as a princess in living in exile while her father, her brother and her sister are in power. Elizabeth, the daughter of Anne Bolyn must learn to face
situations with courage and diplomacy and becomes a tough, precocious heroine. Ann Rinaldi’s story is engaging and leaves the reader wanting more on the subject. Grades 3-7.
situations with courage and diplomacy and becomes a tough, precocious heroine. Ann Rinaldi’s story is engaging and leaves the reader wanting more on the subject. Grades 3-7.
An easy read of a period of Elizabeth I's life not often studied. The book begins when Elizabeth is a child and ends when she is made Queen. In between, we learn of how she was a Princess one day and a "mere lady" the next, only to have her title and her place in the line of succession to England's throne returned to her, all at the whim of her father, Henry VIII. We hear of how she was treated when her brother Edward was King, and when her sister Mary was Queen, and how she observed the reigns...more
What an amazing woman! Rinaldi did a great job of telling her story, of setting the stage, of noting important differences b/n she and her sisters and brother. I enjoyed reading this tale of the making of a queen, someone who wanted it for noble reasons, someone who had a vision her whole life of the kind of queen she would be. A good book to read after 'Lady Jane Grey.'
The Redheaded princess was a really exciting book to read, in my personal opinion. I thought that the way Elizabeth's character was portrayed added a nice layer of sympathy and emotion for her when something bad happened. Even though there was a good story line and interesting characters, the book lacked the ability to completely suck you in, and not let you stop reading until you finished. It seemed like the language was a little to simple for my reading level, but I'm not sure if it was becaus...more
This novel is from queen Elizabeth 1 perspective. It tells the story of how she spent her early years. Princess Lizzie's possibility for the crown become slimmer and slimmer. Ann Rinaldi captures the perfect moments and creates real characters even from a simple housemaid. And when there seems to be no hope Rinaldi's suprises jump right at ya!
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Ann Rinaldi (b. August 27, 1934, in New York City) is a young adult fiction author. She is best known for her historical fiction, including In My Father's House, The Last Silk Dress, An Acquaintance with Darkness, A Break with Charity, and Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons. She has written a total of forty novels, eight of which were listed as notable by the ALA. In 2000, Wolf by the Ears was lis...more
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