Elizabeth I, the People's Queen

Gr 4—8—Elizabeth I is a towering figure in both British and world history, and this book does a good job of explaining why. Although she has an era named after her, and is credited with forging a new identity for her people, Elizabeth herself was shaped and directed by circumstances beyond her control: religious conflicts, political machinations, and a new colonial impetus. Hollihan investigates all of these factors, with the changing religious landscape given the greatest prominence. Elizabeth's own story is often explained in religious terms; the description of her life of service to her country sounds very much like a nun's devotion to the Church. And despite constant references to Shakespeare, the most prominent and complex relationships portrayed are those that the queen had with her half sister Mary Tudor and her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots. The writing is clear and suited to readers with no previous knowledge of the topic. The activities vary in difficulty, from reading The Faerie Queen, to creating a family coat of arms, to growing a knot garden. The book is well illustrated with black-and-white reproductions of portraits, engravings, and paintings depicting major events in the Tudors' lives. A list of resources includes books, websites, and even tourist sites. This well-organized book succeeds at being interesting and scholarly at the same time.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA