THE QUEEN'S DAUGHTER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author (last name first):
Coventry, Susan
Publisher, Date of Publication: 
Henry Holt and Company /2010
Grade Level/ or Age Level: 
9th and Up
Classification: 
Fiction  

 

Joan of England is the daughter of King Henry II, one of the most famous military leaders of the 1100's, and Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, who was considered to be the most beautiful woman in the world. Joan is forced to choose between her parents and becomes a political pawn in their war against each other. King Henry II throws her mother in prison when he believes she and their sons are involved in plots against him. One night the King allows her brother Richard to visit her. Joan is asked to find out were King Henry II hid their mother, but she is caught and taken to her mother's prison. As the years go on Joan began to lose faith that her father would ever forgive her. 

In 1179 in order to strengthen an alliance with Sicily, eleven-year-old Joan was told that she would marry the king of Sicily, a man ten years her senior. Joan was unable to conceive children. She soon finds out a dangerous secret that has to do with King William and his aunt Princess Constance that kills any hope she has of a romantic relationship with her husband. During her marriage to King William she feels alone and abandond. When her husband dies, she is sent to live with her brother Richard who became King of England eventually.When Joan refuses to marry Prince el-Adil, Richard condemns her to her room and treats her cruelly. After a trip from Egypt King Richard is thought to be dead; and Joan makes a life changing decision to seek refuge with her lost love Lord Raymond of Toulouse. While she is there, they rekindle feelings for each other. When Lord Raymond is suddenly betroth to another by his fathers orders all hope seems to be lost. Will Joan and Lord Raymond ever be together? 

 

There is a map that shows all the places Joan and her family travel through out the book. There is also an author's note stating what is fact and fiction about Joan's life. This book would be good to use during a lesson in English history. There is a AR test available for this book.

 

Reviewed By: Lila Davis (Night Circulation Manager at Midwestern State University's Moffett Library)