Bibliography
Lasky, Kathryn. 2000. Marie Anoinette: Princess of Versailles. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc. ISBN 04390766678
Plot Summary
Marie Antoinette is a 13 year old girl with many more problems than typical teenage girls. She is set to be the queen of France and has much to learn before that happens. Not to mention she has a proposal from Dauphin Louis XVI coming her way. The princess Diaries gives us a peek into Marie's life as she learns everything from reading and writing in English and French to how to dance and gamble. We watch her grow from a young child of 13 to a young woman at the age of 15 as she gets to know her Dauphin and learns the ins and outs of prepping to be a Queen.
Critical Analysis
This tale introduces the reader, intended to be a 5th-9th grader, to a headstrong, independent Marie Antoinette. While Marie grew up in a different time, country and is on track to be a queen, she is a character that the reader can relate to. She argues with her mother, has a love/hate relationship with her siblings, dislikes her lessons and is nervous about meeting the boy she is promised to.
While dealing with the ups and downs she is presented with, Marie grows from a young girl to a young woman. She struggles with the cultural changes she faces while she prepares herself for life in the French Court, a very different atmosphere than that of the Austrian lifestyle she has grown up in. While some of the new adventures excite her, she must deal with those that scare her as well.
Written in the style of a diary, the reader is introduced to the history of the time period in a way that a middle school aged student can understand and enjoy. Terms and situations are broken down and described as to keep the reader from feeling overwhelmed. With this writing style, readers are sure to learn more than expected about 18th century Austria and France and the etiquette of the French Court.
At the end of the novel, the reader will find an epilogue and historical note which gives a peek into Marie's reign as Queen of France. This also helps to feed our appetite for more informationon the decadance of Marie's life. The author has also included a detailed Habsburg-Bourbe Family tree and images of Marie Antoinette throughout her life, including a portrait of her done while being led to the guillotine for her execution.
Review Excerpts
"Lasky takes historical fact and weaves it into a sympathetic account of an adolescent Marie Antoinette." -School Library Journal
"The descriptions of the fantastic hair styles and dresses and the elaborate rituals and etiquette required at the Court of Versailles should fascinate today's young adults. The author's depiction of the political and dynastic reasons for the marriage of the young royals establishes the historical context of the novel that engages young readers learning about this period in history." -VOYA
"This book entertains and teaches at the same time. It's great for a study of the French Revolution, and it's a fun book to read as well." -Parent Council Reviews
Connections:
Other books by Kathryn Lasky:
-Lost Tales of Ga' Hoole
-Elizabeth I: Red Rose of the House of Tudor
-Mary, Queen of Scotts: Queen Without a Country
-Use novel as a jump start on research of Marie Antoinette
-Read other novels in the series to compare and contrast the women
No comments:
Post a Comment