Isabel: Taking Wing

Girls of Many Lands

by Annie Dalton, Mark Elliott (Illustrator)

London, 1592

Girls must always be good and stay at home. But when you are a boy, the whole world can be your home. Men build houses and ships and sail off to discover strange new lands. But women must stay indoors, sewing stitches so fine that no one will ever see them. Our work is only visible if we do it badly. Aunt Elinor says I must be ladylike, like Sabine. But I will never be like Sabine in a thousand years...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult, Historical, British Literature

178 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

Annie grew up as an only child in the English countryside during the 1950s. Her father was not always around but when he was, he would tell her fantastical stories, often with her as the principal character. Annie missed him and his stories, which led her to the fantasy section at her local library, thus sparking life-long love of fiction.

After undertaking jobs such as waitressing, cleaning and factory work, Annie went on to study at University of Warwick and soon started writing.

Annie lives in Norfolk. She has three children, Anna, Reuben, and Maria (the inspiration for the first “Angels Unlimited” book, “Winging It”) and two grandchildren, Sophie and Isabella.

Reviews

[Julia :0 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I PICKED THIS BOOK UP RANDOMLY AT THE FREMONT BOOK STORE AND IT WAS SO BUST.
the main character is rly likable and is such a girl boss. and the book is set in the 1500s but the protagonist questions why men are able to be more reckless and free spirited compared to girls. SO MUCH FEMINISM AND SHIT AND ITS RLY BUST 100% RECOMMEND

[Kade Gulluscio · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to start this off by saying I'm simply not a huge fan of historical fiction, and that's a huge part of why my rating isn't higher.

This book follows our FMC Isabel in London in 1592.
Isabel was sent to stay with her Aunt, because her father did not like that was a tomboy. She is being told she needs to be "lady-like".. and she isn't the biggest fan of this lifestyle. She wants to be able to go out and adventure like the boys do. The book is her journey through these thoughts and struggles. We follow her as she DOES adventure and get to enjoy life as she wants. Once she gets to her aunts, she realizes that her Aunt doesn't believe in the same "lifestyle of a prim and proper lady' like her father does.

Overall, it was a quick and easy book to read.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The great AG marathon expands! As usual, reading for the first time as an adult, inspired by the American Girls podcast.

Catherine, Called Birdy has been on my mind lately because the pod recently did a Patreon episode on another medieval Karen Cushman book, The Midwife's Apprentice. While Catherine and Isabel are separated by 300 years, I can’t help thinking that they would have been thick as thieves – two spirited, educated young women chafing against the limits of their time and place.

I also found myself thinking about Samantha and Nellie, and wondering if Isabel and Meg might be a more realistic version of that pairing. Like Sam in the lilacs, Isabel takes one look at Meg and sees a servant girl as a potential friend – but where Nellie goes for the gingerbread right away, Meg holds onto the divide between their classes and roles for quite a while. Eventually, she does melt over the sugar pigs, of course, and then there’s a wonderful excursion to The Rose theatre in Southwark. Isabel manages to take the fall for that alone, but it effectively ends their friendship anyway.

I’m a huge fan of Renaissance drama, so the sections with the actors were high points of the book for me, even if they also felt a little contrived. Kit sure has a knack for showing up at all the right moments. If this were written for readers just a smidge older, that would have been a crush plotline, but as is, it isn't. Which is refreshing, honestly.

For that matter, a lot about this book is Highly Convenient, from the rescue by Meg’s uncle to the rescue by Meg’s brother to the aunt who provides exactly the role model Isabel has been longing for. And of course the final convenience is that Isabel is able to successfully nurse her little sister through her not-the-plague illness with little more than a cold bath and a lullaby. We have to lose someone to the plague to show that it’s serious, though, so like Troubles for Cécile, that means we say goodbye to the maid. Sorry, Meg.

Despite that, I really enjoyed the book - it kept me turning pages, and I know if it had been around when I was 10-12, it would have been in the rotation of things I reread a lot.

[Alexia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like how American Girl explored time periods and countries other than America. Isabel reminds me of Felicity in the fact that they're both strong willedand want to do activities that aren't considered proper for girls to engage in during that time. isabel makes friends with servants, loves to learn Greek and Latin and longs to see a play. When she sneeks out to see one, she is banished from her house and sent to live with her Aunt in hopes that she'll turn Isabel into the lady everyone expects her to be. I really like how she grows from a young girl to a women and her family learns to except her as she is.

[Isabelle✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Also loved this because the main character kind of has my name (I know, I know... but such is the mind of a middle schooler)

But otherwise a great story from what I remember.

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is about a girl in 1592 London named Isabel, sort of a tomboyish girl who does not fit her father's image of a "proper" girl. She makes friends with a servant (a definite no-no), and even has the audacity to watch a play at the theater.

In response, her father sends her away to stay with an aunt for a while to learn how to behave in a proper manner. Along the way she ends up in a situation with robbers, is rescued, then has to disguise herself as a boy to join a group of theatrical performers.

She has a really good time doing that but eventually makes it to her aunts, finding out that her aunt's idea of what a "proper" young girl should be like doesn't exactly match the image that her father had.

The novel also shows some of the fear that existed over the various plagues that struck Europe during that time. Most of the "doctors" of that time were not really doctors by our present-day standards. Indeed, many of the "wise women" of the times, knowledgeable in the study of herbs, were better able to handle sickness than the so-called doctors who believed that illness was caused by "bad blood" and who would bleed those who were ill, in effect lowering their chances for survival.

Overall a pretty good book.

[Betty Strohecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

England 1592. This book in the American Girl series of Girls of Many Lands is a great look at life for girls in this time period. I think this entire series would be enjoyable and educational for all girls.

[Jasmine M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabel is a 12 year old girl living in a wealthy house in London. We come to find that she doesn't like her life as a proper lady and wants something more from it. This book is more of a historical fiction from the view of a young girl in the late 1500’s. The book emulates what life was like for a young wealthy girl.
The first few chapters give an overview of her life as it is. It doesn't have too much action and the book starts off quite slow. I was not very engaged in the beginning. The first 5 chapters are getting the reader comfortable with the setting and getting to know our main character. While this helped me understand what was happening, it was hard for me to stay engaged. However, Chapter 6-12 was refreshing and was the main reason as to why I love this book. The adventure our main character was seeking came to her. It was very satisfying to know she got to change settings from where she was.
One thing I love about Isabel is how relatable she is, especially in the beginning. Her longing for an adventure and almost fear of growing up is very realistic. Personally, I feel that she was rushed to grow up by her aunt. I think that kids these days want to grow up faster or feel like they are growing up faster due to technology. I feel like this character is very realistic and that's what I love about her
I also love the perspective we are given. We get not only a story but a learning experience. We get to learn about life in the late 1500’s. Isabel’s story was placed in an exciting time. We are given a little information about what was actually happening in real life during this time period. I love that as a reader I learn about real life events while being entertained by a story.
Isabel taking wing by Annie Dalton was definitely a good book to read in my free time. It was fun and interesting. However, it was not the best book if you want to be immediately taken through a journey. I overall enjoyed the book and the story. I have read this book multiple times and still continue to love it. If you enjoy books that have a realistic story and a bold main character then I highly recommend this book.

[LobsterQuadrille · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Isabel: Taking Wing has a strong beginning and some nice prose, but gets derailed by the rushed second half and the hamfisted theme. I would have preferred to have the brigand attack and Isabel's time with the theater troupe cut out completely, since they contributed almost nothing and took away time from more potentially interesting things. I found some of the characterization weird too. Isabel's doting father does a 180 and becomes borderline emotionally abusive in a massive overreaction to her doing(as far as he knows) one disobedient thing. Her sneaking out and coming home with dripping wet clothes hardly seems to justify making her miss her sister's wedding.

As for the theme, I am fine with Isabel and her aunt being proto-feminist because there have always been people who defied social conventions. The way the message is delivered is the problem for me. It didn't feel authentic to the setting at all because it's too over-the-top. Aunt de Vere is not only an independent and forward-thinking woman, but she also has advanced medical knowledge and spends her time healing every sick and injured peasant in the vicinity. She even gets letters from male doctors all over England asking her advice because she is just so ahead of her time! This stuff is no doubt meant well, but it's clumsily done and not believable at all.

This wasn't an awful book; it would be fine for young kids, I just think that the uneven structure and rushed third act kept the story from reaching its full potential.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I remember this being one of, if not my favorite girls of many lands book when I read them originally in middle school. I can see why I liked it. A lot happened. And I think it was written well for the targeted audience. As an adult I feel the beginning was slow. Which I also think I must've thought when I was in middle school. And that the most eventful parts of the story such as Isabel's time with the traveling actors was too short and I wanted more. But that's coming from an adult reader. I think it is enough for younger readers. I liked reading about her time with her aunt in the country. It was nice to see her live happily and comfortably for the first time in the novel. As a character she seemed like a great person and I think she deserved that. I would've liked the ending to bring her family in London together with her aunt living in the clean and pretty county so that Isabel could continue to care for her family and be with her family but also pursue her dreams of learning medicine and working with her Merlin. I also think after reading someone else's review that it would've been nice to know if she and kit ever saw each other again.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable book and there were parts I didn't want to put the book down. I love how natural the historic bits were weaved into the story, and Isabel had such a fun personality that made everything around her exciting.

My one complaint is the character Meg. I thought more was going to be done with her. Not to say she isn't super important, as none of the rest of what happens to Isabel would have been the same, but I was hoping for more closure on her character arc with Isabel. Still, I can't really fault the book for it, as it's more of what I wanted versus what the story gave me.

Also, things did slow down some once the aunt came in. I think it's because there wasn't a lot of tension to carry that part of the book.

Overall, though, it was a really fun read, and the historical facts weaved in well with the story and with the character of Isabel.

[Melissa -Crazy Lucky Book Nerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabel lives during the time of explorers and playwrights, and she wonders, as a woman, what her path will look like.
It was quite refreshing to read a story set in Elizabethan times. This era gets overlooked too often. It was exciting to see that Dalton showcased the historical facts while still storytelling.
I do love Isabel's character growth during the story. In the beginning, she was a dreamer and quite naive to the world beyond her house. She gets into trouble when she and the servant Meg go out one night to see a theatre play. In anger, her father sends her to her estranged aunt's estate. Along the way, she is robbed by thieves but manages to find support with a traveling band of theatre performers. She grows more and becomes more independent. Then, when she finally gets to her aunt, she learns from her aunt that a woman can dream, but they must find a way to become more than just dreamers.
Overall, it's a good introduction to the Girls of Many Lands series.

[vy (laufey’s version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was pretty goddamn entertaining for a children’s book, i’ll give you that. i think i just really liked it because isabel was a feminist theater kid who might be bisexual or bi-gender (probably not the author’s intention, but i’m a representation-starved gay teenager so let me have this.) very women empowering? sure there was the ‘i’m not like other girls’ but it was ‘i’m not like other girls, I’M DRAMATIC’ and that is the only time i will accept this trope. but honestly. meg and izzy had something fruity going on. i won’t accept anything else. justice for meg. they were already burying the gays in 2002 😭 but best friend’s brother future romance cross dressing trope has potential i guess even if it’s pushing heteronormativity

[Danielle Routh · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the "big three," in addition to Spring Pearl & Kathleen, Girls of Many Lands books that I've always enjoyed. Very similar to the Lady Grace mysteries (minus the mystery, of course) because of the Elizabethan setting and the protagonist who wants more from life than what is expected of young women. The plague is a good backdrop for the main impetus of the book and also rather timely, unfortunately. I've seen other reviews lamenting the fact that Isabel doesn't see Meg before she dies and also wishing that Isabel's relationship with Kit was more defined, but I think the way Dalton wrote both situations works and is more nuanced. A quick and enjoyable read.

[Katie Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

In some ways, this is a grab bag of the best parts of Elizabethan England: spices, ships, Shakespeare, and Shropshire (actually the country estate doesn't begin with an S, but it's important). It would be annoying if it weren't so well done. Isabel encountering all these things is actually plausible. Plus, she finds her way from 21st-century feminism to 16th-century feminism through the events of a meaningful and satisfying plot. In other words, the Girls of Many Lands series has started off on the right foot, and I'm even more excited to dive into the rest of these beautiful and diverse tales.

[Lydia Therese]

The feminism was very on-the-nose, but women really didn't have many freedoms back then, so I understand the point the author was trying to make. I appreciated the character arc of Isabel throughout the book. The author also didn't shy away from describing the hardship and suffering of the plague -- one of the MC's best friends even passes away. The book was also obviously well-researched. The different herbs used to cure sickness are described and there is a cameo from Willam Shakespeare. I enjoyed the book.

Book 1/264

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe I have tried to read this once before. I found it quite dull, but this time around I enjoyed it. The beginning is rather slow, but it picks up. It is a gentle view of some dark topics. I love the mood of the book. The slight dreariness of the Elizabethan times comes out very well.

Spoiler: I was quite upset that there was not a scene where Kit comes back at the very end. That would have been a sweet romantic ending.

[Courtney Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me feel so independent and brave when I was 10 and read it for the first time. I still can see that in the story! I 100% enjoyed this as an adult, and I’m surprised if my 10-year-old self understood everything that was going on in the story for the level it was written at. A wholesome book by American Girl Company; I wish they’d explore other cultures more like they did with the Girls of Many Lands series!

[Erythor Silvertip · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty good (wanted to give it 4.5 stars but that's not an option); Isabel has some real and believable character growth through the course of the story, and the book wasn't afraid to kill off major characters - which, given that it takes place during a wave of Plague, is realistic. It felt historically authentic and was a good, fast read.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of multi author series describing life for different girls in different time periods from different countries, looked good, and was easy to read, but was pretty forgettable in content and not that interesting over all.

[Sunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book, but I think the author should include more story of Isabel's journey about being a boy that she's disguised herself as Master Robert with the theater boys 'cause I remember she really wanted to be one of them. But so far, it's not boring.

[Grace J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read better books. This was an ok book but I felt like the ending was rather abrupt. I do wish that Meg wouldn’t have died or at least Isabel got to see her one last time and apologize. It was quite redeeming in the end!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a 3.5. I loved the glimpse into Isabel's world and this period in history, but I felt like some of the time skips glossed over things I was really interested in reading more about. Unfortunate that this happened, but overall an enjoyable, quick, read.

[Maureen S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Checking out the first in the AG-international-spin-off-for-slightly-older-girls (?) series. Hard to rate intermediate fiction like this, so I’ll stick with three for introducing a few concepts that would have been new to me as a young girl. Interested to see what Lyd thinks.

[Little Seal]

This book wasn't bad, but there was times that I wanted it to be over sooner than it was. I felt the book both dragged on and was too quick, which I know makes no sense. Isabel regardless is a pretty good character, and her aunt de Vere is great.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rated—PG (my personal opinion based on content)

[dailyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine. But it meandered. And the dad’s characterization was so inconsistent. I don’t expect to read this one to my own daughter, not for any content. Just historical without really engaging.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super interesting!

[Leia Skywalker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed it. I will continue with this series