Red Rose of the House of Tudor

Using a diary format, this fictional biography of Elizabeth I covers three of her childhood years, 1544-1547. As her father King Henry VIII marries one woman after another, Elizabeth feels lonely and forgotten. Elizabeth must not become involved in the intrigues of the court because it could be a death sentence for her, as it was for her mother Anne Boleyn. This addition to the Royal Diary series by Newbery Award-winning author Lasky includes many nitty-gritty details of daily life in the 16th-century royal court. Elizabeth comments on the stench in the courtyards of the various palaces as garbage and sewerage accumulate; the foods; holiday celebrations; funerals; children's games; education; illnesses; treatments and medications. Diary entries end with the death Henry VIII, as her stepbrother Edward is crowned King of England.
Bailey provides an outstanding interpretation of the voice of young Elizabeth, who narrates. The deep, gruff voices of King Henry and several other men of the court are so authentic that one thinks there may be a separate male reader also. An epilogue, a historical note and an author's note are also part of the recording. Carol Kellerman, Lib/Media Spec., Santa Fe, NM

J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.