Warrior Queens: True Stories of Six Ancient Rebels Who Slayed History

by Vicky Alvear Shecter, Bill Mayer (Illustrator)

The true life stories of six little-known fierce ancient warrior queens are told with humor and vivid detail by an award-winning writer.

For young readers seeking to be inspired by stories of strong women, this riveting book shines a light on six powerful ancient queens. Highlighting women warriors who ruled in ancient eras, like Hatshepsut in 1492 BCE Egypt, and Zenobia in 260 CE Palmyra, the stories span the globe to reveal the hidden histories of queens who challenged men and fought for the right to rule their queendoms. Award-winning author Vicky Alvear Shectar's lively text and acclaimed illustrator Bill Mayer's witty illustrations showcase these stories filled with history, power, and humor.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Middle Grade, Biography, Childrens

160 pages, Hardcover

Published September 10, 2019

About the author

Vicky Alvear Shecter wishes she had a time machine to go back to the glory days of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. Until she can find one, she writes about the famous and fabulous lives of the ancients and their gods instead. She is also a docent at the Michael C. Carlos Museum of Antiquities at Emory University.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyment Rating: 3🌟
Writing Quality: 3🌟

In this non-fiction, middle grade read, we learn of six ancient queens. Each fierce and intelligent and seemingly fearless. Each fighting for their people and doing so in such a powerful way that they beat the odds and carved permanent names for themselves in the pages of history. I had known of two of them before - Boudica and Zenobia - but the names of the others had never before crossed my path, and so I'm glad this book fell into my hands. The writing was definitely meant for younger readers. It's tone was not formal and stuff, if anything it had maybe a few too many puns. If this had been an adult book that would have irked me, but I think it makes sense when trying to inspire and intrigue the younger folk.

[Dennis Steussy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This easy to read book has such great warrior queens as Boudicca or Britian, Hatshepsut of Egypt and The Trung Sisters of Vietnam. It is a short biography of six remarkable warrior queens from world history. It includes side notes about each queen and the times they lived in. At the end of each section you get some chapter note at summarizes and recaps highlights of each biography If you are looking for an easy to read and informative book about some of th great warrior queens of history, I think you will find this book very enjoyable.

[Kie Frost · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
This book was a really good introduction for people around the age of late middle school. I personally felt it was too young for myself, and wasn't a fan of all the puns, but if I had a niece/nephew who was maybe thirteen and interested in female warriors who were queens, I would definitely recommend the book.

[Tee Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book its super inspirational. I see myself in every one of these women! Women have been running countries for centuries. We are the bringers of life, why wouldnt we be able to?
This is a true gem.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I loved learning about the kickass women in this book, most whose stories I had never heard of before, sadly. There were MANY groan-worthy puns sprinkled throughout the book though, and that kind of dampened the enjoyment of it.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book about some of the women warriors of history. A good middle school read.