About book Nine Days A Queen: The Short Life And Reign Of Lady Jane Grey (2006)
Just the other day, this little book on Tudor England in the juvenile fiction department of the library called out to me. It’s not a genre I particularly read, but since I was on the heels of having completed Bring Up the Bodies, what was I to do?!It’s a sad, often times, heart-wrenching story about the young, tragic life of Lady Jane Gray, who inherited the throne after King Edward’s death. Jane was his second cousin and she tells the story.She ruled England for nine days at the age of fifteen. Bloody Mary, the first daughter of Henry VIII, hot for being bypassed to the crown by her own brother to preserve Protestant rule, gauged support by the region along with a large militia. Soon after she was seated to the throne, Mary had her cousin, Jane, executed for treason. She was sixteen years old.It’s a very good educational read for young readers. Given the context of the story - Tudor England after the death of Henry VIII, it’s full of escalating tension and terribly depressing. It also presents a valuable way to introduce the lessons of the era to students through Rinaldi’s first-person approach. This was a bloody time, yet Rinaldi does not overwork the graphic nature. She is sensitive and Jane’s depiction of her life is told as a young girl in turbulent times trying to comprehend it all. Sadly, she’s in the middle of it. During my read, I even learned the fate of many of Thomas Cromwell’s contemporaries. Sadly, of course, Master Cromwell was not in this book and I'm anxiously waiting for the third book of that trilogy. But, I digress…Growing up, I read a lot of biographies. This book reminded me just a little of the Young Americans biography series I absorbed as a child. Ann Rinaldi is a wonderful author for young readers of historical fiction. She has a wide range of periods she explores through the eyes of the youth, so it can very engaging for all readers.I may now pick up Alison Weir's Innocent Traitor, the grown up's version.
Lady Jane Grey, who was Queen of England for nine days at the age of fifteen before being executed for treason, narrates her story beginning at age nine. Unloved by her parents, young Jane had an unhappy and lonely childhood. Sent to court at age nine, she finally gained happiness as a maid of honor to Queen Katharine, wife of King Henry VIII. After the king dies, Jane remains a member of Katharine's household, but even that happiness is lost when Katharine dies in childbirth after remarrying. Returning home, Jane must once again endure her parents' cruelty, as they scheme to arrange a marriage for her that will bring them wealth and power. But when the young King Edward, Jane's beloved cousin, dies, Jane is unprepared for how far they will go. Staunch Protestants, Jane's parents are determined that Edward's Catholic half-sister Mary will not become queen -- and so they force their daughter to accept the crown of England in a plot that is doomed to failure.This was an excellent historical novel for teens that tells the tragic story of Lady Jane Grey. I was really looking forward to reading this book, because I love historical novels about royalty, and Ann Rinaldi is one of my favorite authors. I am happy to say I am not disappointed at all. Ann Rinaldi brings Jane to life as an intelligent girl, observant and wise beyond her years, who against her will became a pawn in a power struggle she wanted no part in. This makes the inevitably sad ending even more tragic. Teen readers who are interested in the Tudor era, or who enjoy historical fiction, should definitley read this book.
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For me, this was going to be just another amazing Ann Rinaldi book to read. I was right, but I also learned a lot. After watch the movie, "The Other Boleyn Sister", I was kind of fascinated about the Tudors. I didn't know women could have such power over men that long ago. I had already learned about Henry VIII, and his many wives in school, but didn't know the real story about the beheading of Anne Boleyn. I also already knew about "Bloody Mary" and the great Queen Elizabeth I. This book helped learn about another girl who made an impact, not a big one, but some impact on the country of England during her time. When I first saw the title of this book I was like "what? there was a queen who ruled nine days?" and immediately was hooked on reading it. I learned about the rough life of Jane Grey, who's life abruptly ended at the age of sixteen. I thought it was interesting about the line of royalty in England's royal family, and of the great competition of wanting much power in the English court. Every girl wants to be a princess or queen, but I now believe it would be very dangerous and that you have to be a very strong willed person to hold such power. Rinaldi gives great detail of Grey's life and what it would have felt to be in her postition. I like how Rinaldi keeps the accuracy of the historical element in plot line. I'm now getting ready to read "The Red Headed Princess" next.
—Alissa
This dramatic novel of historical fiction opens in 1537. Lady Jane Grey, the great-granddaughter of King Henry VII, is fifth in line for the English throne. Jane grows up in luxury, but her politically ambitious parents (the Duke and Duchess of Suffolk), make her life miserable;they are predators who pursue wealth, power and successful people.Jane is asked to the court of King Henry VIII (married to his sixth wife, Katherine Parr). Katherine makes Jane feel welcome.After King Henry's death, Jane is sent home to her dismal life where her mother continues to beat and and berate her. Eventually, Jane is sent to live with Katherine Parr and Parr's current husband, Sir Thomas Seymore. Katherine dies in childbirth(or was she poisoned by Thomas?). When the young King Edward VI dies, England is in political chaos with different factions forming armies and vying for power. Jane is declared Queen, a role she never wanted. As Mary Tudor becomes more powerful, Jane is removed from the throne and cast into the Tower to await her fate----
—Sharon
Ann Rinaldi's Nine Days A Queen is a wonderful book that captures a real-life story on a very personal level. It is told through the eyes of Jane Grey, a young woman who lived as the Queen of England for just over a week. The story includes her personal beliefs, views, worries, and troubles as she watches all around her fight for power and use her in their struggle for the Kingdom. Executed at just 15, Jane is a Queen who has always had sympathy from those who know her story. However, what she was actually thinking can only be guessed. Rinaldi does a fabulous job at capturing a possible mind-set for a young girl going through the trials that she was. I highly recommend this book to historians, fiction readers, and journalists alike. While it is unappetizing to think that one must grow attached to a character whom you know is going to tragically lose, it is also rewarding to think that such a good and noble mind prevailed during such a greedy time.
—Kaylee
