The Pirate Meets the Queen

by Matt Faulkner

As captain of her own crew of pirates raiding ships on the high seas, Granny O'Malley has become a legend in her time until the Queen of England gets word of her deeds and imprisons Granny's son--forcing the fierce pirate to accept a face-to-face meeting where the most unexpected events occur.

Genres: Picture Books, History, Childrens, Pirates

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Matt is married to author and children’s librarian, Kris Remenar, and lives with their children in Michigan.

Reviews

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

We chose this book for our fifth grade Battle of the Books at our public library, and it became a favorite of the kids. The writing and illustrations are excellent, and the author was amazing when he spoke to the kids. Love this one!

[Esther Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This exciting tale tells the story of the real life Pirate Queen Grace O'Malley who was a feared corsair all her life and respected by everyone she met – even Queen Elizabeth! Born in Ireland in the 1500's, Grace quickly carved out a reputation for herself that was unmatched in that part of the world for centuries. Young readers will delight in the captivating true story paired with stunning illustrations that bring to life the seas of 16th century Ireland in vivid detail.

I've loved this book ever since I first saw it on the shelves of my local library, and it's stuck with me all these years, when many other picture books have long since faded from memory.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tale of Irish Pirate Queen Granny, or Granuaile (grahn-wale-eh), O'Malley (aka Grace O'Malley) and her efforts to rescue her son, Toby, from the English. She travels to London to meet the Red Queen, Elizabeth I, to negotiate for his freedom. A timely find as one of our local high schools is currently performing a musical, The Pirate Queen, based on this story.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story about Grace O'Malley meeting Queen Elizabeth.
I have a whole bunch of Grace O'Malley books I got from the library. I don't think there are many resources on her so it's nice to read a bit about her. She seems pretty cool. Tough time period and she fought hard against English culture. (Haven't the Irish always been doing that?) Worth a read.

[Isabel L · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was awesome, but yet the telling of it felt flat. And the illustrations were meh. My kids a read it and liked it though.

[Kami · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was awesome, but yet the telling of it felt flat. And the illustrations were meh. My kids a read it and liked it though.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basic Plot: The true story of pirate Granny O'Malley and her meeting with Queen Elizabeth.

What's not to like in this book? We have a feisty Irish woman, unwilling to give up her freedom and her pirate ship for a poor husband. She finds happiness on the sea and eventually finds a good husband. Her son turns out to be just as feisty as she, then gets himself captured. Granny heads to England to talk to the queen and get her to release her boy, then returns to piracy (but not English ships, because she promised). Even better? It's all true.

The art was good, and full of interesting details. I loved it. I'm pretty sure my son was starting to tune out by the end, though, so it's a bit longish for the littler ones and lacks the rhyming silliness that extends attention spans.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastically illustrated work of historical fiction with a bit of Irish blarney mixed in. Granny O’Malley is not your typical girl and becomes an even less typical woman when she becomes captain of her own pirate ship, robbing the English merchant ships that are unfortunate enough to pass by. In doing so O’Malley has made an enemy with Queen Elizabeth, a person who later may hold all that is valuable to O’Malley in her royal hands.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the few picture books that I've read recently that I actually wanted to own. This is a longer book, more a picture storybook, but it's about Grace O'Malley, and the illustrations are brilliant. So is the language.

[Kristy Mcghee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for 5th grade! Illustrations are awesome. Really tells the story and correlates well. Children can retell story using pictures only or create own story by telling it using pictures and technique used by illustrator

[Lillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought pirates were only boys until I read this book. I thought it was a really good book.

[SARAH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based (though exaggerated)on the true story of an Irish woman pirate called Granny who held an audience with Queen Elizabeth of England

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

revisted this book today - it's an old favorite. The artwork is such a great compliment to the storyline, and I love the expressive qualities of the characters.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it all... until she didn't keep her word at the end. BUT.. since it was historical fiction, I'll let it slide!

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

The amazing storyof Granuaile O'Malley, pirate in the Irish sea, who met Queen Elizabeth to free her son. A story of a brave and valiant woman in the 1500s.

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

When the son of notorious Irish pirate queen Granny O'Malley is captured by the English, Granny tries to meet with Queen Elizabeth I to negotiate for his freedom.

[Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Irish lady pirate!