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Description
A middle-grade biography follows Mary, Queen of Scots, a six-foot-tall ruler whose life was ruled by political intrigue and a string of hopeless husbands. From being kidnapped by a murderous lord to battling the ambitious nobles of Scotland and England, her short reign was fraught with danger and betrayal. Drawing on Mary's secret diary, the narrative offers a vivid, personal look at her struggle to keep her crown and ultimately face her fate.
Quick Summary
If you've ever thought history class was boring, this book might change your mind. Margaret Simpson tells the story of Mary Queen of Scots in a way that feels more like hearing gossip about a dramatic royal family than reading a textbook the title really sets the tone, since Mary gets involved with some pretty hopeless husbands, and Simpson doesn't sugarcoat how ridiculous and dangerous her love life was. Kids who think they don't like history will find themselves flipping pages, especially those who enjoy a good story about power, betrayal, and really bad decisions. Parents should know that while the writing is witty and accessible, Mary's actual life was pretty dark she was beheaded after a political conspiracy, and the book doesn't shy away from murder and scheming among the Scottish and English royalty. It reads almost like a funny friend explaining the wildest parts of European history to you, which makes it a great stepping stone for kids who might later tackle more serious biographies. If your kid loves snarky, personality-driven history like the "I Survived" series or similar middle-grade nonfiction, they'll probably devour this one.