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Nine Days a Queen: The Short Life and Reign of Lady Jane Grey
I had freckles.
I had sandy hair.
I was too short.
Would my feet even touch the ground if I sat on the throne?
These are the words of lady Jane Grey, as imagined by celebrated author Ann Rinaldi. Jane would become Queen of England for only nine days before being beheaded at the age of sixteen.
Here is a breathtaking story of English royalty with its pageantry, privilege, and surprising cruelty. As she did in her previous novel Mutiny's Daughter, Ms. Rinaldi uses powerful, evocative writing to bring to life a teenage girl caught in the grip of stirring times.
I had sandy hair.
I was too short.
Would my feet even touch the ground if I sat on the throne?
These are the words of lady Jane Grey, as imagined by celebrated author Ann Rinaldi. Jane would become Queen of England for only nine days before being beheaded at the age of sixteen.
Here is a breathtaking story of English royalty with its pageantry, privilege, and surprising cruelty. As she did in her previous novel Mutiny's Daughter, Ms. Rinaldi uses powerful, evocative writing to bring to life a teenage girl caught in the grip of stirring times.
228 pages, Paperback
Published January 31, 2006
About the author
Ann Rinaldi
57 books953 followersAnn Rinaldi (b. August 27, 1934, in New York City) is a young adult fiction author. She is best known for her historical fiction, including In My Father's House, The Last Silk Dress, An Acquaintance with Darkness, A Break with Charity, and Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons. She has written a total of forty novels, eight of which were listed as notable by the ALA. In 2000, Wolf by the Ears was listed as one the best novels of the preceding twenty-five years, and later of the last one hundred years. She is the most prolific writer for the Great Episode series, a series of historical fiction novels set during the American Colonial era. She also writes for the Dear America series.
Rinaldi currently lives in Somerville, New Jersey, with her husband, Ron, whom she married in 1960. Her career, prior to being an author, was a newspaper columnist. She continued the column, called The Trentonian, through much of her writing career. Her first published novel, Term Paper, was written in 1979. Prior to this, she wrote four unpublished books, which she has called "terrible." She became a grandmother in 1991.
Rinaldi says she got her love of history from her eldest son, who brought her to reenactments. She says that she writes young adult books "because I like to write them."
Rinaldi currently lives in Somerville, New Jersey, with her husband, Ron, whom she married in 1960. Her career, prior to being an author, was a newspaper columnist. She continued the column, called The Trentonian, through much of her writing career. Her first published novel, Term Paper, was written in 1979. Prior to this, she wrote four unpublished books, which she has called "terrible." She became a grandmother in 1991.
Rinaldi says she got her love of history from her eldest son, who brought her to reenactments. She says that she writes young adult books "because I like to write them."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
May 17, 2016
Stuck to historical accuracy while also being emotionally engaging. Poor, poor Jane.
May 31, 2019
I wish I could give this more than 5 stars. I read this aloud to my daughters in just a few sittings because we were so engrossed. I have always been obsessed with Tudor history and already knew the story of Jane Grey pretty well so yo share it through this fantastic middle grade novel was purely delightful.
Rinaldi handled sensitive issues surrounding all the unfaithfulness in marriage pretty well. My 8 year old was a bit confused with all the flirting in a few scenes but Rinaldi only hinted at more. But this is something to be aware of. My older daughter is 12 and I’d say that’s the better age for this dramatic book about a fascinating era of history.
We fell in love with Jane Grey and I’m sad for her death. Long live the Queen.
Rinaldi handled sensitive issues surrounding all the unfaithfulness in marriage pretty well. My 8 year old was a bit confused with all the flirting in a few scenes but Rinaldi only hinted at more. But this is something to be aware of. My older daughter is 12 and I’d say that’s the better age for this dramatic book about a fascinating era of history.
We fell in love with Jane Grey and I’m sad for her death. Long live the Queen.
March 30, 2017
This story was interesting to read because of how overshadowed Lady Jane Gray is in history compared to her relatives. I’d always heard about her reigning for a short time after King Edward, but I never realized how young she was when she died or how she had a claim to the throne. The book is written in an entertaining first-person fashion that gets the reader to sympathize with Jane and understand how she may have felt about being a pawn in several men’s ambitions for power. Overall, it was an enjoyable and fascinating read.
March 11, 2022
Maybe I just freak out over renaissance but it’s kinda scary to think a girl a year older than me was married, queen of England and executed within 12 months.
February 15, 2021
This has been my second time reading this book and it is pretty much exactly as I remembered. This novel is good for what it is, I would highly recommend it for a younger person (or any person in general) who has an interest in Tudor history. Overall, a fast short read.
September 20, 2009
Cousin to the child King, Lady Jane Grey at a young age decided she would never want to be Queen. Watching her friends, her cousins, playing with them, she always knew she was fourth in line for the crown, but even with King Edward sick and dying she always thought Princess Mary would take the throne. Amazed to discover herself 15 years old, and left without anyone she could truly trust, her parents married her to Guildford Dudley and then thrust her on the throne and declared, after King Edwards death, Jane the Queen. Queen Jane had no idea what had happened to Princess Mary and why she was now the queen instead. Mary wanted to be queen, she fought for it and she finally claimed the throne nine days after Jane had been declared queen. Jane now found herself as well as her husband, Guildford, and his family all locked in the towers for treason. Lady Jane kept hope that Queen Mary would realize that she was yet a child, a pawn, and hopefully still her friend, she knew she would be pardoned.
Based in a terrible but true story about England’s royal show of force and deceptions. Historically fairly accurate for a fictional book, sometimes it is easier to learn history with a little story embellishments. This tragic story of a 15 year old who was forced to be Queen is a difficult story to believe and hard enough for scholars to follow all the plots, at times I felt this book had too much information that was not necessary for a young adult fiction, other times I felt there was some details missing that might have helped explain things a bit better. The ending was dramatically written, with the authors notes to complete the story. The addition of the references is great for anyone who has need to check facts of this story.
Based in a terrible but true story about England’s royal show of force and deceptions. Historically fairly accurate for a fictional book, sometimes it is easier to learn history with a little story embellishments. This tragic story of a 15 year old who was forced to be Queen is a difficult story to believe and hard enough for scholars to follow all the plots, at times I felt this book had too much information that was not necessary for a young adult fiction, other times I felt there was some details missing that might have helped explain things a bit better. The ending was dramatically written, with the authors notes to complete the story. The addition of the references is great for anyone who has need to check facts of this story.
April 4, 2011
I read this novel in record speed. I literally could not put it down and am thankful that it was relatively short, or I would have readily foregone experiencing my stay in London. It was an enjoyable coming-of-age read, though I’m not sure if it was the author’s doing or if it was just a fascinating story in and of itself to begin with. I found Lady Jane to be such an interesting character--not just a perpetual damsel in distress. She had an opinion and a voice unlike her generation. Her notions and theories of the medieval world were so down-to-earth and relatable; she truly caught my heart. In fact, at times I had to question Rinaldi’s credibility, as Jane had attitudes more mature and wise than me (who is regretfully several years older). I’d like to believe that in times of such peril, I could behave as elegantly and tactful as Jane. I commend Ann Rinaldi for widening my perspective on such a misfortunate heroine that deserves the book’s favorable restoration to her name.
November 8, 2017
The English court was a dangerous place in the 1500s - lots of heads became separated from necks for what seemed like minor issues to me, and poor Lady Jane Grey was caught up in the intrigues of powerful men through no fault of her own.
I suppose growing up in this sort of environment may force someone to mature more quickly than growing up in the 20th and 21st centuries, however I couldn’t quite believe some of the maturity attributed to Jane, especially even before she became a teenager - at 9, 10, 11 years of age.
But despite that, it’s still a tragic story. I can’t remember why I added it to my TBR in the first place, and I don’t think I realised it was quite so YA when I added it - and that is possibly why she is more maturity in the story than I would have thought she’d have been capable of.
I suppose growing up in this sort of environment may force someone to mature more quickly than growing up in the 20th and 21st centuries, however I couldn’t quite believe some of the maturity attributed to Jane, especially even before she became a teenager - at 9, 10, 11 years of age.
But despite that, it’s still a tragic story. I can’t remember why I added it to my TBR in the first place, and I don’t think I realised it was quite so YA when I added it - and that is possibly why she is more maturity in the story than I would have thought she’d have been capable of.
April 11, 2012
"The short life and reign of Lady Jane Grey" sums up the book in one sentence. My only problem with the book, was the lack of mentioning what year they were in. I had to guess or search it on the Internet.
January 28, 2009
The dream of wanting to be a princess not so good. Little girls should be taught the truth, that it would be a nightmare.
February 2, 2009
I loved it. It was very sad though.
February 22, 2013
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.
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.
April 3, 2011
Nine Days a Queen follows the short life and reign of Lady Jane Grey. The book is told in first person as she grows up in the court of King Henry VIII and the course of events which lead her to be crowned the Queen of England. Although the first person narration makes for obvious flaws in the end of the book, it allows for genuine character connection. For being such a light, quick read, I was surprised at how deeply Nine Days a Queen impacted me. I was not expecting something so historically enlightening, interesting, or profoundly sad when I started this book. The book was small, but the story introduced to a captivating piece of history I would have overlooked otherwise. Largely, I enjoyed the way in which the book was written. The style of writing gave life to a story, which could have been told in a far less interesting manner. . I was surprised at how emotionally attached I felt to Lady Jane, a character who was not necessarily exceptional in the normal teenage literature fashion. She was royalty and a historical figure, but she felt somewhat normal in the story. I did not necessarily relate with her character or circumstances, but I still felt as though I understood her. I think one of the author’s biggest accomplishments was how badly I wanted for Jane to be all right. I found myself hoping, even until the very last page that she really would be spared from her terrible execution. I have a feeling if I read the book again, I would still build up the same hope. For myself, I enjoyed reading the story because there were small details, seemingly trivial, that shaped the story into something more interesting than I might have found in a textbook.
January 25, 2011
Nine Days a Queen
I simply could not get enough of this story and this book! I finished it in one evening, and was not ready to put it down. Young Jane Grey was just a pawn in a twisted game for power and the crown. Beaten to perfection and poise, and being betrayed by loved ones, she learned to trust no one as she grew closer in line to inherit the crown. She is forced to go to court, marry an unwanted suitor, and eventually take the crown. I became attached to Jane quickly, and found myself worrying about her each time a new order from her father or her inferiors arrived. I am impressed that Ann Rinaldi was able to take a historic account that died over 400 years ago and make it so interesting. While Rinaldi was bound to stick to the facts, she still made the story interesting. Rinaldi showed us Jane’s pure heart through her positive attitude in every awful situation she was pushed into; I loved Jane and it was fun to watch her grow and mature. Don't be discouraged by the countless names tossed around in the first chapter, because after she established all of the characters, the pages ran through my hands. I would recommend this book to any reader who wants an interesting taste of history.
I simply could not get enough of this story and this book! I finished it in one evening, and was not ready to put it down. Young Jane Grey was just a pawn in a twisted game for power and the crown. Beaten to perfection and poise, and being betrayed by loved ones, she learned to trust no one as she grew closer in line to inherit the crown. She is forced to go to court, marry an unwanted suitor, and eventually take the crown. I became attached to Jane quickly, and found myself worrying about her each time a new order from her father or her inferiors arrived. I am impressed that Ann Rinaldi was able to take a historic account that died over 400 years ago and make it so interesting. While Rinaldi was bound to stick to the facts, she still made the story interesting. Rinaldi showed us Jane’s pure heart through her positive attitude in every awful situation she was pushed into; I loved Jane and it was fun to watch her grow and mature. Don't be discouraged by the countless names tossed around in the first chapter, because after she established all of the characters, the pages ran through my hands. I would recommend this book to any reader who wants an interesting taste of history.
May 14, 2009
This just reinforced my belief that it would stink to be royalty, only now that includes anybody in line for the throne.
I feel so sorry for Jane Grey. She was just a year older than I am now, when she had her head chopped off, and my age when she was forced to take the throne. Her entire life she was used, manipulated. She was abused constantly. The only real kindness she ever got was from Catherine Parr (who, by the way, I really like) and King Edward. However I don't think King Edward was really all that nice at times. Ok, every encounter you had between the two of them was good, for the most part. I guess King Edward was just used by those evil, evil men that are out there. I don't think he really did anything by himself without prompting first. Or at least very little.
It was a great book though! FANATASTIC! Although many of :Ann Rinaldi|11162]'s work is great. She is a great author!
I feel so sorry for Jane Grey. She was just a year older than I am now, when she had her head chopped off, and my age when she was forced to take the throne. Her entire life she was used, manipulated. She was abused constantly. The only real kindness she ever got was from Catherine Parr (who, by the way, I really like) and King Edward. However I don't think King Edward was really all that nice at times. Ok, every encounter you had between the two of them was good, for the most part. I guess King Edward was just used by those evil, evil men that are out there. I don't think he really did anything by himself without prompting first. Or at least very little.
It was a great book though! FANATASTIC! Although many of :Ann Rinaldi|11162]'s work is great. She is a great author!
December 20, 2012
This novel is a historical young adult fiction novel about the short reign and life of Lady Jane Grey. It is written as a journal, with the story told by Lady Jane. It follows her ascension to the throne, her reign of nine days, and then her eventual execution.
I really enjoyed this novel, but I did not enjoy some of the characterizations and the ending. I felt that Rinaldi may have taken too many liberties with the personalities portrayed, and I did not think it was at all realistic to have it end with "Ahhhhhh" from Jane.
While I recognize that many historical fiction novels must taken liberties with unknown facts, I felt this novel did so too often because the sources and references were not as directly listed as I would have hoped.
I would suggest this novel to a middle school audience. I think seventh and eighth grade students could benefit greatly from Jane's story and this rather captivating read.
I really enjoyed this novel, but I did not enjoy some of the characterizations and the ending. I felt that Rinaldi may have taken too many liberties with the personalities portrayed, and I did not think it was at all realistic to have it end with "Ahhhhhh" from Jane.
While I recognize that many historical fiction novels must taken liberties with unknown facts, I felt this novel did so too often because the sources and references were not as directly listed as I would have hoped.
I would suggest this novel to a middle school audience. I think seventh and eighth grade students could benefit greatly from Jane's story and this rather captivating read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2014
I have read a few Ann Rinaldi books, but this was not one of my favorites. I can't tell if it's because this is the first one I've read outside of my childhood or because I no longer care for her writing style. It has been a while since I've read anything of hers. I finished it through because this subject fascinates me, but the writing was just so-so and this was the first time that I didn't consider Jane Grey interesting at all. I think her narrative voice, the way Rinaldi wrote it, was very bland and forgettable. It was also quite choppy, but I felt this might be more to make it seem as if a fourteen year old was actually writing it (because it is written from a child's perspective) or that Rinaldi just writes that way. Either way, it wasn't very enjoyable and I will probably just stick to biographies about her, then.
November 9, 2009
Maybe a 3.5 - a really good book about life as an heiress to the throne in the 1500s. I enjoyed her self-perception (I think Rinaldi has a penchant for writing strong female leads) and esp. enjoyed expanding my knowledge of history. Names, etc, are so much more meaningful and memorable to me in this setting. Still a short book so not as much detail as one might want but definitely a good place to start to discover if you have an interest in this period. Follow up book by Rinaldi: The Redheaded Princess, Lady Jane's cousin (about Elizabeth the First, who ruled England for 45 years, as opposed to Jane's 9 days.). A GREAT book to help develop an interest in history with a pre-teen or teen.
April 29, 2018
This short read had me engaged throughout the entire book. Right from the title we know that the main character only lives a short life so from the beginning I was anticipating how and when. I was on the edge of my seat the whole book and loved the mystery of trying to figure out why she died. The character is also a young girl who is forced to live a life she does not want simply because of the adults around her. This book has so many different layers to it and I enjoyed digging deeper and deeper.
April 3, 2018
What an awful way to grow up, a pawn or piece in a game of chess! I admire writers who make such long-ago history come alive.
August 13, 2019
Quick read but a rough subject. I really enjoyed this book despite knowing the ending. I really feel for Jane and the position she was placed in. What would I have done?? Probably exactly what she did. She was just a child. Tragic.
November 27, 2017
4.5 stars
It was refreshing and interesting to read a book based on Lady Jane Grey. She had been so overshadowed in history, and her sad nine days reign as queen was so overlooked, with no one even flinching over the fact of how she was so cruelly disposed of by her cousin Mary for a throne she never desired. What I really liked about this book is how the story and life of Jane were told through her perspective, and how every historical fact was portrayed through Jane’s own thoughts, making the book historically accurate, while at the same time not make it seem like just another history textbook. Because of this format, I believe this book; and books written with perspectives like this would be a great way for students to learn about history, because it is similar to a primary source, while at the same time it’s modified to a format where modern readers can understand easily.
The first thing I did after I finished reading the book, and was about to start the review, was to check the book’s bibliography. Because this is not a history textbook or encyclopedia whatsoever, I was curious to check Jane’s portrayal accuracy through the author’s sources. The first thing I noticed was that every single one of her source was published before the year 2002.[1] In other words, many of them are more primary sources than an actual encyclopedia. This means that the author, instead of focusing the facts provided on Jane through the atlas and Wikipedias, spent her time in looking at primary sources so she can actually get the scenarios and facts through her perspective, in order to improve the accuracy of her writing this book as her. I believe this greatly improved the accuracy of the book because instead of just writing inaccurate facts, the author used the primary source to know when to put in false biased facts, due to the scenarios. This creates a situation of dramatic irony for the readers because when the reader read the bias that would’ve been in Jane’s perspectives, they would know the truth while the book doesn’t. Examples of these would be when Jane believed Elizabeth I (not yet crowned queen, was still a princess) had witch blood in her, because her mother Anne Boleyn was executed of witchcraft, and was believed to be a witch. The readers today know for certain that it was not true, but how Jane was wary of Elizabeth due to this fact is an excellent example of how the writer wrote in false facts that would’ve been believed as truth in that time, hence fore increasing the credibility of the book.
Jane’s tragic fate made her, in a very strange way, almost the Marie Antoinette of England. Both never really had a choice in their fates, because they were put in positions of power most likely against their will, without ever truly knowing how to explicitly use that position of power. Not to add on the result of both the women’s tragic fate was not a direct cause of their actions or choices, but more of a result of the other’s misdoings. I, as a reader, found myself more and more weary as the book progressed. I came into the book having absolutely not a single care in a world, or an ounce of compassion for Jane whatsoever, and left it feeling like a broken-hearted person living only on the false hope that maybe it wasn’t as bad as it truly was. This book by putting in Jane through the perspectives of a story’s heroine really made me feel compassion for her. She was so naïve, and her life was a stepping stone for all the power-hungry people around her, and her death was a direct cause of that. I would definitely recommend this book to…all readers actually. It would not only be a more fun way for students to learn about historical figures, but it can also almost give the exact same effect as reading a primary source, only more interesting.
Read the original review: http://anneclarence.wixsite.com/thereadinglife/single-post/2017/11/26/Book-Review-Nine-Days-a-Queen-The-Short-Life-and-Reign-of-Lady-Jane-Grey-by-Ann-Rinaldi
It was refreshing and interesting to read a book based on Lady Jane Grey. She had been so overshadowed in history, and her sad nine days reign as queen was so overlooked, with no one even flinching over the fact of how she was so cruelly disposed of by her cousin Mary for a throne she never desired. What I really liked about this book is how the story and life of Jane were told through her perspective, and how every historical fact was portrayed through Jane’s own thoughts, making the book historically accurate, while at the same time not make it seem like just another history textbook. Because of this format, I believe this book; and books written with perspectives like this would be a great way for students to learn about history, because it is similar to a primary source, while at the same time it’s modified to a format where modern readers can understand easily.
The first thing I did after I finished reading the book, and was about to start the review, was to check the book’s bibliography. Because this is not a history textbook or encyclopedia whatsoever, I was curious to check Jane’s portrayal accuracy through the author’s sources. The first thing I noticed was that every single one of her source was published before the year 2002.[1] In other words, many of them are more primary sources than an actual encyclopedia. This means that the author, instead of focusing the facts provided on Jane through the atlas and Wikipedias, spent her time in looking at primary sources so she can actually get the scenarios and facts through her perspective, in order to improve the accuracy of her writing this book as her. I believe this greatly improved the accuracy of the book because instead of just writing inaccurate facts, the author used the primary source to know when to put in false biased facts, due to the scenarios. This creates a situation of dramatic irony for the readers because when the reader read the bias that would’ve been in Jane’s perspectives, they would know the truth while the book doesn’t. Examples of these would be when Jane believed Elizabeth I (not yet crowned queen, was still a princess) had witch blood in her, because her mother Anne Boleyn was executed of witchcraft, and was believed to be a witch. The readers today know for certain that it was not true, but how Jane was wary of Elizabeth due to this fact is an excellent example of how the writer wrote in false facts that would’ve been believed as truth in that time, hence fore increasing the credibility of the book.
Jane’s tragic fate made her, in a very strange way, almost the Marie Antoinette of England. Both never really had a choice in their fates, because they were put in positions of power most likely against their will, without ever truly knowing how to explicitly use that position of power. Not to add on the result of both the women’s tragic fate was not a direct cause of their actions or choices, but more of a result of the other’s misdoings. I, as a reader, found myself more and more weary as the book progressed. I came into the book having absolutely not a single care in a world, or an ounce of compassion for Jane whatsoever, and left it feeling like a broken-hearted person living only on the false hope that maybe it wasn’t as bad as it truly was. This book by putting in Jane through the perspectives of a story’s heroine really made me feel compassion for her. She was so naïve, and her life was a stepping stone for all the power-hungry people around her, and her death was a direct cause of that. I would definitely recommend this book to…all readers actually. It would not only be a more fun way for students to learn about historical figures, but it can also almost give the exact same effect as reading a primary source, only more interesting.
Read the original review: http://anneclarence.wixsite.com/thereadinglife/single-post/2017/11/26/Book-Review-Nine-Days-a-Queen-The-Short-Life-and-Reign-of-Lady-Jane-Grey-by-Ann-Rinaldi
June 5, 2020
The epic tale of a young girl with no ability to decide or change her fate.
October 28, 2020
3.5 stars
I would put this at a middle-grade reader age...? Nothing new here if you know the story of Lady Jane, but it's a solid novelized retelling of her story.
I would put this at a middle-grade reader age...? Nothing new here if you know the story of Lady Jane, but it's a solid novelized retelling of her story.
April 10, 2012
Rinaldi does a good job of conjuring up the atmosphere of the period in this retelling of the sad story of Lady Jane Grey. She tells the story from Jane's perspective, and keeps by-and-large to the historical facts, with necessary embellishments and invention given that this is a novel, not a history book. Not to say that students of the period wouldn't benefit from reading this book. Dry historical accounts rarely do a good job of putting you in the mind of those who lived at the time. It takes a novelist's touch to give you the sense of being there, watching events unfold.
Some critiques have pointed to the fact that Rinaldi minimizes the extent to which religion played a part in the story, and I think that's a fair criticism. As I understand it, Lady Jane Grey was as much a staunch Protestant as Queen Mary was a staunch Catholic. However, I think it says something about their characters that despite these very real (and potentially deadly at that time) differences between them, they remained close. And even though Mary signed Jane's death warrant, she sent her chaplain to her in the Tower to try to convert her to Catholicism--which I believe was the only way Mary thought Jane's life could be spared. She needn't have done this, and I think this speaks well of Mary--at least in this instance. I believe Mary was in a bind. The wisdom she was receiving said that since Jane was the favorite of Protestants, as long as she lived she would always be a threat to the throne and the stability of Mary's Catholic revival. Mary had to choose: the stability of the kingdom and peace with her co-religionists (and the Pope) vs. the life of her cousin. We may not agree with the choice she made, but I don't think it was a decision she made easily. Her last minute effort to save Jane's life through conversion (something that, for some reason, Rinadli doesn't mention) demonstrates her struggle, I think.
Anyway... a good read, and not a long one, either. It took me as long as it did to get through it due to Easter weekend, work, etc. In consecutive hours, it probably took me less than a day to read this book.
Some critiques have pointed to the fact that Rinaldi minimizes the extent to which religion played a part in the story, and I think that's a fair criticism. As I understand it, Lady Jane Grey was as much a staunch Protestant as Queen Mary was a staunch Catholic. However, I think it says something about their characters that despite these very real (and potentially deadly at that time) differences between them, they remained close. And even though Mary signed Jane's death warrant, she sent her chaplain to her in the Tower to try to convert her to Catholicism--which I believe was the only way Mary thought Jane's life could be spared. She needn't have done this, and I think this speaks well of Mary--at least in this instance. I believe Mary was in a bind. The wisdom she was receiving said that since Jane was the favorite of Protestants, as long as she lived she would always be a threat to the throne and the stability of Mary's Catholic revival. Mary had to choose: the stability of the kingdom and peace with her co-religionists (and the Pope) vs. the life of her cousin. We may not agree with the choice she made, but I don't think it was a decision she made easily. Her last minute effort to save Jane's life through conversion (something that, for some reason, Rinadli doesn't mention) demonstrates her struggle, I think.
Anyway... a good read, and not a long one, either. It took me as long as it did to get through it due to Easter weekend, work, etc. In consecutive hours, it probably took me less than a day to read this book.
March 19, 2020
The fiction text, “Nine Days a Queen” by Ann Rinaldi defines the unstable government of the United Kingdom’s past. From her first breath Lady Jane Grey was bred to be a royal. She was taught how to act, and was very educated. Even though she was groomed to be a royal, she didn’t want to be one. She knew that her parents didn’t really care about her and only wanted power for themselves. Jane becomes a pawn for her parents' jurisdiction. This leads to a lot of pain and heartache for her. All she wants is for her parents to truly see her for who she is and not just a puppet in their sick game. Jane learns that in her corrupt world, she can only fully trust herself and no one else.
I loved that Ann used little marks on the book pages to describe that time had passed. It’s nice because as a reader you already know that it’s a little later in the plot. If you’re not expecting time to pass then it’s a nice warning so you won’t be confused.
I also enjoyed that she used words that were very true to the time period that this book takes place. You really get a feel for the history and you can almost hear the British accent as you’re reading the book.
The one thing that I don’t really like about this book is that the main character, Jane, is never truly happy. There are small instances where she is happy but it never lasts. The unhappiness really looms over this book and takes the fun out of it. If Jane is ever happy you know it’s not going to last for very long and something tragic is going to happen very soon. Even if you’re unsure of what appalling situation is next you know it’s coming.
Even after all of this, I rated this book five stars because I was able to be apart of this history without being wrapped up in it’s precarious schemes and plots. I would recommend this book to other students who want to delve into the United Kingdom’s corrupt government of the past.
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October 5, 2016*SPOILER ALERT* Lady Jane Grey was a nine year old girl living with her parents, who were the Duke and Duchess of Suffolk. She also had two little sisters, Catherine and Mary. Her life was always criticized by her mother. Jane loved to read, and was a very smart girl for her age of only nine, but the way she was taught was the way she had to do things. She was not treated very well, her parents were the ones that harmed her in any way. One day the messenger came to give her parents something from the King, and she kept thinking that if she kept looking at him, she would be in trouble for looking at the young man. Her mother was very strict on the rules and the way things were done. Lady Jane Grey was soon called to court. She begged her parents not to make her go, but her mother slapped her and she knew that she had to go. Jane had known exactly what to do for court, she just did not want to go. Once she had arrived she had gone into the apartments to freshen up for the dinner with the King. The King was very impressed with how well Jane had done, he knew she meant well. After the dinner was over Katherine Parr, the King's wife, had taken Jane along with her to talk, show her around the castle, and to feed her hounds. Katherine had asked Jane to live with her and the king. She explained how she knew that Jane had been treated horribly, without hesitation Jane said yes and it was official that Jane would be living there. Jane had lived inside the castle walls with the king and his wife. Years passed, and King Henry the eighth dies. Soon after his death King Edward the sixth had become the King of England. After King Edward died, Jane became the queen of England. There were many doubts, and lots of trouble, for her reign of only nine days. She was crowned queen when she was sixteen and was executed nine days later.
September 26, 2009
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.
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.
June 10, 2011
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.
February 1, 2019
I adore Ann Rinaldi and I adore some of her YA books more than others. "Nine Days a Queen" is now one of my favorites. What a way to learn about the sad plight of Lady Jane Grey. She was a pawn for her greedy parents to move up in the royal lineage and had no power in any decisions in her life.
Lady Jane was bookish, quiet, somewhat plain and really wanted a life of peace and learning. Yet behind this, she was used throughout her brief life, with few choices. Her parents wanted her to marry King Edward VI(yes, she was a tween at the time) and then when the young King died, was forced to marry Guildford Dudley when Princess Mary(soon to be known as "Bloody Mary") began amassing forces against those she called the usurpers. Lady Jane's mother was a Tudor through her mother, Mary Tudor, King Henry's sister and his best friend, Charles Brandon. And Jane's mother...well, let's say she wasn't a nice person in the least. All she cared about was power and prestige.
What I loved about this book is that Rinaldi simplifies a very complicated story, brings the characters to life and made me want to read more about the life of Lady Jane Grey. Although she was Queen, against her own will for nine days, her life ended abruptly. "Uneasy lies the head that wears the Crown" says Shakespeare. And so it was.
An excellent read!
Lady Jane was bookish, quiet, somewhat plain and really wanted a life of peace and learning. Yet behind this, she was used throughout her brief life, with few choices. Her parents wanted her to marry King Edward VI(yes, she was a tween at the time) and then when the young King died, was forced to marry Guildford Dudley when Princess Mary(soon to be known as "Bloody Mary") began amassing forces against those she called the usurpers. Lady Jane's mother was a Tudor through her mother, Mary Tudor, King Henry's sister and his best friend, Charles Brandon. And Jane's mother...well, let's say she wasn't a nice person in the least. All she cared about was power and prestige.
What I loved about this book is that Rinaldi simplifies a very complicated story, brings the characters to life and made me want to read more about the life of Lady Jane Grey. Although she was Queen, against her own will for nine days, her life ended abruptly. "Uneasy lies the head that wears the Crown" says Shakespeare. And so it was.
An excellent read!
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