kandicez's review against another edition
3.0
I'm pretty sure I would have really enjoyed this as a 12 year old girl. I read it in anticipation of [b:Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles|16033|Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles|Margaret George|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255700770s/16033.jpg|1022583]. That one is such a brick, I thought it would be good to have an outline. This one was just that- an outline. I'm sure dates and names were fairly accurate, there just wasn't enough detail to make me care about Mary.
diamontique's review against another edition
4.0
I actually thought that the idea of having the majority of Mary Stuart's life as told by a close confidante was a very clever idea. What was also more clever was how the confidante in question knows next to nothing about court, and as with most of the readers, learns more about court and its intrigues as the book goes along.
plattin's review against another edition
3.0
This is a young adult novel telling the story of le Jardiniere, the fool of Mary Queen of Scots. Le Jardiniere was a real person, but virtually nothing is known about her, save her position and name. Yolen and Harris have created an Italian girl of unusual candor and humor to fill this role. Yolen is a veteran YA writer and I would recommend pretty much anything by her. Fool begins in France where may was also queen by virtue of marriage, it follows Mary and her entourage through political intrigue to Scotland and eventually through Mary's imprisonment in the tower. I would recommend this to any of your students who might be interested in the time period. The language is pretty easy, but the book itself is not low level, so it would especially be appropriate for a struggling reader interested in historical fiction.
misslupinelady's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
nae1226's review against another edition
2.0
Just okay YA Queen Elizabeth setting. Tthe narrator is a young girl who is the Queen's Fool. Jane Yolen a co-author.
amyripley's review against another edition
Just randomly remembered this book I read as an 11 year old. Maybe I'll read it again someday.
lemon_drop's review against another edition
3.0
Fictionalized account of the turbulent young adulthood/queenship of Mary, queen of Scots as seen through the eyes of a peasant girl turned jester.
Good for those who like Ann Rinaldi or Carolyn Meyer; strong historical women rock!
Good for those who like Ann Rinaldi or Carolyn Meyer; strong historical women rock!
psam17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
A light teenage historical fiction readÂ
flyingsails's review against another edition
5.0
I found this book a couple years ago, and have reread it probably once a year since. It is so good; it's almost a history of Mary I, but 'tis so much it's own original story, too, that it's never dull. I love the characters and remember them very well.
ninetreats's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting retelling of the a portion of the life of Mary, Queen of Scots. The plot bogged down a bit in the middle and didn't hold my interest. But worth reading if you have any interest in this period of Scottish history.