The Queen's Granddaughter

by Diane Zahler

Embark on a sweeping journey of self-discovery in this adventurous middle grade novel perfect for fans of Karen Cushman and Gary Paulsen.

Twelve-year-old Blanca of Castile is the granddaughter of the Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, once the wife of both the king of France and the king of England. When Eleanor comes to visit Blanca at Castile to select the girl who will marry the prince of France, all expect her to pick Blanca's older sister. But, to everyone's surprise, it's Blanca she chooses to be the princess.

Blanca, along with her best friend Suna, must set out over the Pyrenees Mountains for France. But the journey there is not easy. The group, which includes knights and attendants, and Queen Eleanor herself, is trapped by a late-season blizzard. And as they near France, they are kidnapped by one of Eleanor’s renegade vassals.

As Blanca overcomes the many perils of the journey, she will need to learn how to protect herself and those around her -- and about what it truly takes to be a queen.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Adventure, Historical, Fiction, Royalty, Young Adult

304 pages, Hardcover

First published March 24, 2026

About the author

I grew up reading children's books and never wanted to do anything but write them. I'm the author of nine middle grade novels, and my newest book is a historical novel called WILD BIRD. I live in the country with my husband and very enthusiastic dog Jinx. Visit my website at www.dianezahler.com.

Reviews

[Christine Gustin (christinebookstagram)]

Exceptionally written story for young people and all lovers of historical-fiction 👏🏽

This was my first time reading a book by Diane Zahler and I absolutely loved it!

I read this aloud with my 12 and 14 year old daughters—we were hooked from the first page until the very end! Well-written, engaging, fascinating.

This story is historical-fiction based on real people from the 12th century. The people and places come to life through Zahler’s writing!

Age recommendation: middle-grade/teens and adults. Themes of death, illness, peril, violence, loss present. Nothing explicit. No language.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an eARC of this book. All thoughts shared are my own.

[Michelle]

Thank you Roaring Brook Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The only other book I have read of Zahler's was The Thirteenth Princess and that was quite a few years back, so I went into this book with few expectations. I loved it! The medieval setting (and most historical settings, really) is difficult to get right for kids and requires some gentle anachronism to keep the story enjoyable to the modern reader. Zahler gets this balance right.

Blanca is happily living as a middle daughter and princess of 12th century Castile when her grandmother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, arrives to great fanfare, ostensibly to take her older sister back to Paris in order to marry the Dauphin and future king, Prince Louis IX of France. Spirited, clever, and wily Blanca is not happy with the idea of losing her beloved sister, and sets out to convince Eleanor that she is the wrong choice for the future queen. Her success in this mission does not exactly go to plan. Eleanor is equally spirited, clever, and wily and recognizes her younger self in Blanca, who is chosen in her sister's stead.

On the subsequent journey over the Pyrenees, to Bordeaux and eventually Paris, Blanca depends on her wise and kind best friend, Suna, a Muslim orphan with whom she has grown up, to help curb her impetuous impulses. The journey is fraught with challenges--weather, political enemies of the Queen, and the physically grueling day to day reality of travel in the period. Along the way, Blanca grows in character and finds her inner strength. Zahler portrays Blanca's interior life with great skill. She is a likable, relatable, and ultimately admirable, protagonist. Likewise, Eleanor is haughty, demanding, manipulative, and yet completely endearing.

This is a sweet, tender story of generational love and also a fascinating and fun historical adventure.

[Emily McKee]

This is a solid choice if you want to offer it to your kids or suggest it to read alongside a study of the Middle Ages. The author fills in a lot of history for readers and the main events are historical.

However, 12th century Blanca (Blanche of Castile) would be at home in the 2020s, with her awareness of gender roles and desire for religious tolerance—I would prefer to let readers pick up on these differences on their own instead of having them pointed out by the narrator. Her first-person voice felt generic and unmemorable, and the dialogue wasn’t convincing. Nods to our present day values kept me firmly in 2026, and I never felt transported to the past like we feel with the best literary historical fiction (for example, A Door in the Wall or Crispin).

[Helen Baldwin]

“No!” I said. “I don’t want to marry anyone or be Queen of anyplace. I want to ride my horse and have adventures with Suna.”

Diane Zahler’s THE QUEEN’S GRANDDAUGHTER takes you right back to the 13th century and follows Princess Blanche of Castile in the year 1200 as she travels across the Pyrenees with her grandmother, the legendary Eleanor of Aquitaine. The bond between Blanche and Eleanor of Aquitaine is the heart of the story. It’s also how Blanche grows, from fear to a sophisticated understanding of power and sacrifice. This story is historical fiction but it never feels like a history lesson and as it explores serious themes like agency vs. duty and the weight of legacy it’s so relevant for middle-grade readers today.

“At one point, Blanche thinks, “Did what a woman felt ever really matter?”

I was completely immersed in the place and time of this beautifully written story full of adventure. It’s on my 2027 Newbery Contender list! #mocknewbery

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

[Andria Potter]

A well written historical fiction middle grade novel, one that I devoured in a single sitting. 5 ⭐!

[Gwen]

Thank you to the publisher and to the author for a copy in exchange for a review.

The Queen's Granddaughter 4/5⭐

Let's take a moment for the cover🤩

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✨Plot✨

12-year-old Princess Blanca of Castile overhears her father discussing her older sister, Urraca, who their grandmother is coming to fetch to bring to France to be engaged to the Prince of France and one day become the queen of France. Blanca and Urraca had not yet been told this news, and Blanca is upset that her sister is being taken so far away, so she devises a plan: be so nice to their grandmother and tell her all the reasons she shouldn't take her sister so far away.

When her Grandmother arrives, Blanca follows her plan, but the outcome isn't what she expected. Her grandmother announces that she will not be taking Urraca to be engaged but instead will take Blanca.

They travel over treacherous mountains, face thieves, sickness, and terrible storms as Blanca learns what it means to become a Queen.

✨Characters✨

👑Blanca👑
I really liked Blanca, even though she was written as a middle-grade main charecter she was an interesting character. She was twelve years old, so she was not the smartest at times, but neither were any of us at that age lol.

👑Queen Elenor👑
Queen Elenor, Blanca's grandmother, was such a girl-power type role model for Blanca. I think it was really cool that all the cool stuff she did was real and actually happened in history, too. She was the first woman to be in a crusade, apparently.

♟️Suna♟️
Suna was such a good friend to Blanca and the perfect foil to Blanca; they leveled each other's personalities out. She was dealing with everyone looking down on her because she was the only one everywhere they went who wasn't a Christian.

🤺Lord Marshal🤺
This dude was not a huge part of the story, but when he was, he was pretty cool.

✨Writing Style✨

Not my favorite writing style, but definitely interesting enough to keep me engaged and interested! I sped through this book in just two days!

✨⚔️Action⚔️✨

Not much action, but when there was, it was interesting and had me on the edge of my seat.

✨Would I Recommend It?✨

Yes! I really liked the historical fiction aspect, and it was definitely a book focusing on a journey/road trip. If you like fantasy, historical, or middle grade, I definitely recommend it to you!

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews]

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Ever since the first time I saw Katharine Hepburn as Eleanor of Aquitaine in The Lion in Winter, I’ve been slightly obsessed with the real-life queen that has inspired so many books and plays and people. The Queen’s Granddaughter is the fictional story of one of Eleanor’s granddaughters, and it was a delight.

Naturally, what I liked the best about The Queen’s granddaughter was the interactions between Eleanor and her granddaughter, Blanch of Castile. The story is very 2026 coded, for Blanche is a very independent kid who bristles at a very restrictive life. Through Eleanor’s teachings, Blanche learns more about the needs to sometimes sacrifice for the greater good. She also learns a thing or two about wielding power.

The historical parts of the 13th century and Eleanor are woven through the story in a way that it doesn’t feel like a history lesson being jammed down the throat. The book’s narrator was pretty good and made the listen enjoyable. Would recommend to anyone whose kid is studying the time period.

[Mildly Mad Hatter(Semi Hiatus)]

I liked the history and how the story followed it. I wasn’t a fan of Queen Eleanor, she annoyed me so much. She would literally tear couples apart like it was no biggie. Blanca was okay, she would be a sweet 12 year old girl at times and at others, a bit selfish. A big part of this is a 12 year old getting married but that’s what happened at the time. There was some language that was pretty surprising to me. Also a lot about Christianity and Muslins, how it was for them back then. Honestly, I wasn’t too much of a fan of that part because of how everyone acted and treated the others. I liked the history note at the end that told what was true and what wasn’t. All in all, some of it was good and some of it wasn’t good. It’s history, would I choose this book to give to one of my siblings to read? Probably not. Someone else out there would probably like it much better than I did though.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book.

[emyrose8]

It's been a while since I read a historical fiction novel. It's been even longer since I read one where the main character actually existed in history.

It's the story of a girl leaving her family to travel with her forbidding grandmother to a new country and a new life, learning lessons along the way. The story was pleasant to read, but honestly the end notes were most interesting to me- the ones that explain Queen Eleanor and Blanche's places in history. I wish we would've gotten a bit of that in the book, but I do understand why the author ended the book where she did.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

[Yapha]

In this immersive historical fiction journey, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine brings her granddaughter Princess Blanca from Castille to France to marry Prince Lois in the year 1200. Told from Blanca's point of view, we see her grow from a child into the queen she will become through the many difficulties of their travel. Blanca her best friend (and servant) Suna survive a blizzard, a kidnapping, and more on their journey from Castille to Paris. There are great lessons here about what it means to be brave and also a life-long learner. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.

[Fiona]

Fairly standard middle grade historical fiction with the modern twist of a Muslim secondary character, allowing for discussion of racial and religious persecution in mediaeval Europe.

[Christine Rosa]

I really enjoyed this book. Our seventh grade students study the middle ages and I’m excited that there’s a recently published book that I can recommend. I love that it was based on real characters. Be sure to read or listen to the author’s note at the end of the book.

[Michelle M]

Thank you to netgalley and Macmillian for the eARC.
I think I’ll give it a 3/5

I love history, and I'm especially facinated with Eleanor of Aquitaine which is why I requested this book in the first place.

Final review (as opposed to my rantings further down lol). I thought it was a good story about a girl coming of age and coming to terms with the decisions made for her and how her life would be. As a princess in the 1200s, so had little autonomy over her life, decisions (big ones) were made for her. I’m not a historian, just a lover of history, so I don’t really know exactly how much is known about Blanche’s (Blanca’s as she’s known to her Castilian family) life before she marries into France. But in this story, she’s portrayed as a willful girl who gets into trouble, is stubborn, and generally embarrasses her self from time to time. Her parents, the King and Queen, don’t seem to actually stop her or punish her in any way for her behavior. Or if they do, it’s not enough of a deterrent to keep Blanca from continuing her mischief. I think this is a way to make Blanca more relatable to modern girls and to compare her to her grandmother, Eleanor of Aquitaine who was known to be strongwilled. I think this would be a good stepping stone for a child who is kind of into medieval history and likes adventure stories (for many things happen in this story that might have happened or might not have, but it made for a good story and a good way to show Blanca’s growth).

Suna, the original character, was a great addition to the story. Suna is a Muslim girl who is Blanca’s best friend. Suna is also deaf, as caused by an illness. She, Blanca, and Blanca’s eldest sister developed a sign language so that they could communicate with each other, which ends up helping the travelling party out of a precarious situation! I thought it was also great to see that Suna’s differences (religious and disability) did not in one way make Blanca treat her as less than or other. However, they were used as a way to help Blanca grow as she finally notices how the stares and hostile looks make her friend feel on their journey away from the more “tolerant” Castile and into Christian France. And Blanca makes the decision to allow her friend to go home at the end of their journey (which is what Suna wants) instead of ordering Suna to stay with her.

I was surprised that the story ended not with Blanca’s wedding to the dauphine, but slightly after she and her grandmother parted ways on the road to France. Blanca stays on the path to Paris, and Eleanor breaks off to go to Frontevraud Abbey where she ultimately ends her days. But this leavetaking was as good a place as any to end the story, as Blanca is full of hope for her future.


Now to my angry rant at 77% through that book that made me lower my rating to the GENEROUS 3 Stars (truthfully I think the book deserve 1 star just for the slander thrown at my fave, but I can be an adult lol Plus this is an ARC, so it deserves a fair review as a whole story. Had this NOT been an ARC…)

So! A decent story! Especially for a middle grade novel. And had I read this book without having any knowledge of the time period and some of the key characters, I would have liked it more than I did. Oh, I didn’t know anything about Blanche (Blanca as she is known is Castile and to her immediate family) and to be truthful, though I have read a few books about Queen Eleanor of England and France (Eleanor of Aquitaine) I didn’t know of her bringing a granddaughter out of Spain to France to marry the prince. And Blanche’s wiki page was so pitifully small that I didn’t have much prior knowledge to draw on. So Blanche and Eleanor’s characters were fine. However! My favorite “character” of this time period is William Marshal and sadly, I found out that he wasn’t part of this adventure…. In real life he wasn’t anyway, but he was here in this story.

I'm writing this part of my review after reading a part in the story that, as a fan of William’s, has my blood boiling lol. There’s a part where Eleanor, Blanche, William, and Suna (Blanche’s friend) claim sanctuary as William is hurt and they’re being chased by Hugh DeLusignan. While in the church, a girl claims to be a healer and checks out William’s leg wound. Fine, acceptable. WHAT I WONT ACCEPT, HOWEVER, is Blanche and Suna seeing “a tenderness bloom between William and Marguerite”. WHAT????? NO!!! William is AT LEAST 53 here(at this time in real life) and the girl can’t be older than 20! AND William has been happily and fruitfully married to his wife Isabel for AT LEAST 10 years!!! I will not accept this SLANDER against William! In real life at least 5 of his 10 children are born and Isabel would’ve been pregnant with number 6!

Should I have expected true historical accuracy from this book? No, I guess I shouldn’t have. But there should be at least SOME! If you’re going to add characters, move historical figures around, at LEAST keep them SOMEWHAT close to their real life counterparts! William is supposed to be a knight known for his chivalry, and as far as I know, there weren’t any bastards attributed to him while he was married, or before, which would break faith with his wife, which William would not do.

[Heidi Malagisi]

When a medieval princess married, most of the time, she had to take an arduous journey to their new country. For many of these royal ladies, they had an idea that this would be their fate at a young age, but for others, it would come as a complete surprise. Take, for example, Blanca (Blanche) of Castile. She was the granddaughter of the indomitable Eleanor of Aquitaine. When it is time to create a marriage alliance between Castile and France, Blanca believes that her sister Urraca will be the one who will become Queen of France. However, Eleanor has other plans. How will the journey change Blanca and get her ready to rule a nation? Diane Zahler tells the tale of Blanca’s journey to the throne in her middle grade novel, “The Queen’s Granddaughter.”

I would like to thank Roaring Brook Press and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I tend to read books tailored towards young adults and adults, but I wanted to see how middle grade books handle historical figures. My love of history started with a middle grade book, so I wanted to see how middle grade books are for the next generation of history nerds.

We are introduced to Blanca of Castile when she was twelve years old. As the daughter of Alfonso VIII of Castile and Eleanor of England, Blanca realizes that she will have to marry one day, but she wants to stay with her family in Castile. With the arrival of her grandmother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, from England to discuss a match between Castile and the French dauphin Louis. Blanca believes that the intended bride will be her elder sister Urraca, but she doesn’t want her sister to leave. Grandmother Eleanor has a different plan and says that the bride to be is Blanca.

To say Blanca is shocked will be an understatement, but after spending time with her best friend Suna and her family, who are Almohads, Blanca decides that she will go to France. Suna, grandmother Eleanor, and Sir William Marshal join Blanca in her journey over the Pyrenees Mountains to France. The journey is arduous as they encounter a snow storm that lands the party in a cave while grandmother Eleanor recovers from an illness. They also face off against Hugh de Lusignan, a man who is seeking vengeance. Throughout the journey, Blanca learns that a queen must make difficult decisions and say the hardest goodbyes for the good of her new kingdom.

This was a great novel to get younger future history nerds interested in history. It was well researched and even gives Zahler’s readers mini biographies about the main characters so that they can begin their own journey into medieval European history. If you want a book for a young history lover in your life that focuses on medieval Castile and France, I recommend you check out “The Queen’s Granddaughter” by Diane Zahler.

[Christine Sturman]

Just about every little girl wants to be a princess. In “The Queen’s Granddaughter” by Diane Zahler, we follow the journey of Princess Blanche of Castile to Paris where she is to marry the French Crown Prince, Louis. She has been selected for this honor by her grandmother, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Eleanor travels to Castile to select one of her granddaughters to marry Louis and then accompany her on the journey for this great honor. While traveling they encounter many hardships that are typical to 12th century Europe. This is a journey not just to go from one place to another; it is a journey of development and maturing of a princess.

I have always enjoyed historical fiction and this book was no exception. Women in medieval Europe had very little say in their lives. This was especially true of the royal women. They were raised to marry whoever their father arranged for them to marry, usually to help secure some political advantage. These princesses were often very young when the matches were made and the marriage ceremonies performed. When they became of age, usually somewhere between the ages of 13-16, they were expected to have as many children as possible to secure the heredity line of the prince they married. I think that Diane Zahler has done a good job of portraying what a typical princess’ life could be like. The interactions between Blanche of Castile and her grandmother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, are very touching as they get to know one another. Blanche learns many life lessons from her grandmother as they travel together. At the end of the book there are historical snapshots of the lives of the main characters that I enjoyed reading. I would recommend this book to any middle schooler or older who wants to know about royal life in medieval Europe from a female prospective.

I wish to thank Roaring Book Press of the Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the complementary eARC of this book and for selecting me to review it on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

#TheQueen’sGranddaughter
#RoaringBookPress
#MacmillanChildren’sPublishingGroup
#NetGalley
#MiddleSchoolHistoricalFiction
#LifeOfAPrincess
#MedievalEurope

[Emily]

In The Queen's Granddaughter, Diane Zahler offers a window into the life of Blanche (Blanca) of Castile as she leaves her home to travel with her forbidding grandmother, the legendary Eleanor of Aquitaine. For readers who enjoy history, the relationship between these two women is the heart of the book. It is a touching exploration of a young princess learning life lessons from a woman who saw a reflection of her own strong-willed nature in her granddaughter.

Blanche is portrayed as a willful, stubborn girl whose mischief might feel more relatable to modern readers than a typical 13th-century princess. However, the book doesn't shy away from the stark realities of the time. Women in medieval Europe, especially royalty, had very little autonomy. These girls were raised to be political pawns, married off young to secure alliances, and expected to produce heirs upon reaching adulthood. Zahler does a commendable job of showing how Blanche must come to terms with these massive life decisions being made for her.

While the story serves as a good stepping stone for middle schoolers interested in medieval history, I found the pacing to be quite slow. Historical fiction can often be a hard sell for kids, and the "slow-going" nature of this narrative makes me feel that it would likely see minimal circulation in a library or classroom setting. I was particularly fascinated by the endnotes and historical snapshots provided at the conclusion of the book; learning about the real Eleanor and Blanche’s places in history was a highlight, and I almost wish more of that historical weight had been woven into the main narrative. Overall, it’s a decent recommendation for those specifically looking for a female perspective on royal life, but its pacing limits its broader appeal.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Macmillan Children's in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Darla]

They had me at ELEANOR OF AQUITANE.

A story about when 77-year-old Eleanor escorted her granddaughter over the Pyrenees to become the dauphine of France. This book had adventure, politics, religion, family, and more in the mix.

Here are some things I really loved:

👑Queen Eleanor is an amazing woman to read about. She was queen of France and then later England. Richard the Lionhearted was one of her sons. Eleanor went on crusades. She was held prisoner by husband Henry for years. Still at 77 she is making sure her family is still connected to French royalty.

🫅Princess Blanche (Blanca in Castile) is just thirteen when she makes the journey over the Pyrenees. There is peril around every turn from weather, rival landowners, and more. It is no wonder Eleanor's own personal knight is with them at all times.

✝ To show the complex history between the Christian and Muslim faiths, Zahler includes a companion named Suna for Blanche. Suna's people are currently able to practice their Muslim faith in Castile, but travelling to France is more complicated -- especially when Templar Knights are needed for additional protection.

📜Let no one be slow to seek wisdom when he is young nor weary in the search of it when he has grown old.~ Epicurus
Blanche studies philosophy with her father before leaving for Paris. She tucks some meaningful quotes like this one in her bag and shares them when appropriate. Read the book to find out who gets this particular nugget.

📚A few years ago I read Daughter of the White Rose by this author and loved it. What a delight to discover this new release!

Happy Publication Day - March 24, 2026. Thank you to Roaring Book Press and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[Mary]

As an infanta of Castile, twelve-year-old Blanca has always known she was being trained to become a queen. When her grandmother, the revered Eleanor of Aquitaine, comes for an unexpected visit, the entire court expects Blanca’s older sister to be the focus of their grandmother’s attention. But when Queen Eleanor announces that Blanca will be marrying Louis, the dauphin of France, everything begins to shift, and Blanca must learn to accept a life and a future she never expected. This historical fiction novel introduces readers to the life of a young princess through the eyes of a character who feels contemporary and approachable. Blanca is impetuous and stubborn, and her strong emotions clearly reflect the variability of one’s demeanor as a preteen. Historical elements are embedded within the plot, describing not only the expectations of royalty but also the political and societal relations prevalent during this time period. Additionally, the incorporation of a character with limited hearing and a worldview different from that of Blanca’s family enhances the diversity of the storytelling. A note at the end of the book defines the line between history and fiction, giving readers a clearer idea of the real people behind the story. Written in a way that is accessible and relatable, the narrative invites young readers into the past through a novel that will resonate with contemporary audiences. A strong choice for youth who enjoy tales featuring historical fiction, royalty, and the challenges of embracing one’s duty, this is a positive addition to library collections for confident middle grade readers.

[Lola B]

Thank you to author Diane Zahler and Roaring Brook Press for an ARC to review. All expressed ideas, thoughts, and content hereafter are my own.

I was interested in this book because I haven't read a good historical fiction novel in awhile, the cover art caught my eye, and I've always been fascinated with Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. It seemed serendipitous timing, too, as I'd been doing research into King Charlemagne, Robin Hood, and the Magna Carta. The writing is very approachable (seeing as it's middle grade, it should be), but still challenging enough maybe for someone who is not yet widely read. Following Blanca's growth from a young girl to a young woman was pleasurable, though I do wish the novel had continued on a bit more before stopping where it did (refraining from specifics here to avoid spoilers). I loved that Blanca had a best friend (Suna), and that Eleanor presented a decent role model. For a younger me, this book would also have been a joy to read. This is the first novel I've read from this author, and I'm curious to see if this one becomes a series. Slight nitpicks I have with it are certain words and/or place names that seemed odd, and upon looking them up, were not used or did not exist until a few hundred years after the novel takes place. Other than that, a fun, beautiful read.

[Grace]

This middle grade historical fiction novel was exceedingly well researched. For some reason I thought it would be a fantasy when I requested it, but it was not. It takes place in and around what is now Spain in the year 1200 CE, when Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine came to Spain to choose a granddaughter to marry the prince of France to unite the various nations. The book follows 12-year-old Blanche of Castille as she journeys with Eleanor and her dear friend Suna to Paris to marry the prince. One change from history that the author made was the existence of Suna. She was by far my favorite character. Suna is Muslim and partially deaf, and there are multiple discussions about acceptance (and lack thereof) between the Christians and Muslims, including about the Knights Templar who slaughtered Muslim people. Because of her deafness, Suna and Blanche use their own sign language to communicate. The diversity in this book was one of my favorite aspects. However, I didn't enjoy the writing style, as it felt basic even in its descriptions of the grand settings and adventures. I also felt like the pacing was slow even though the book itself is short. For these two reasons I dropped the rating from four to three stars, but I would still recommend it for anyone interested in this time period or to any young reader wanting to read an account of a real life princess.
*Netgalley ARC review*

[Bethany Swafford]

When twelve-year-old Blanca of Castile is unexpectedly chosen by her grandmother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, to marry the prince of France, she must leave her home in Castile and embark on a perilous journey across the Pyrenees. Accompanied by her best friend Suna, Blanca faces blizzards, kidnappers, and other dangers that test her courage and resourcefulness. Through every challenge, she learns what it means to protect those she loves and discovers the qualities needed to become a queen.

I don’t know much about Eleanor of Aquitaine, beyond the fact that she was an influential queen, so I was intrigued by the blurb. For the most part, this was an interesting tale. I appreciated how the author kept to the facts of the betrothal of Blanca of Castile, though I was disappointed that the story didn’t extend to her life in France and her growing up.

Blanca came across as generic child. By the time I reached the end, I didn’t feel as though I knew her at all, which is what I look for in a historical fiction story. The details of the time seemed spot on, though, and the writing was good.
Overall, it was an easy and interesting read. I would recommend it to readers looking for fictional stories based on historical fact. I received an advance reader copy via NetGalley and all opinions are my own.

[Lily]

In this entertaining new historical fiction novel, readers follow twelve-year-old Blanca of Castile, the granddaughter of Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine and the daughter of an English princess and Castilian king, as she struggles with her grandmother’s arrival to choose which of her granddaughters will marry the prince of France. Expecting her older sister to be chosen, Blanca is unprepared for her grandmother to choose her instead, so Blanca and her best friend Suna head out with the queen, her knights, and her attendants over the Pyrenees Mountains to France on a journey faced with incredible dangers that teach Blanca to protect herself and her people -- skills she will need as the Queen of France. Entertaining, emotional, and adventurous, the novel is packed with details and incredible characters, and readers will relate to Blanca’s emotional journey over the course of the novel. She is a fiery and entertaining protagonist who is deeply loyal to her loved ones, and her growth over the course of the book offers glimpses at who she will grow up to be. The historical details really capture the twelfth century political game her grandmother plays, making this new novel a great introduction into history for young readers.

Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and Roaring Brook Press for the advance copy.

[Alison Q]

3.5 ☆
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book to read and review!
I really enjoyed reading the majority of this book, and I loved the fact that a lot of the story is based on real people and real events.
In The Queen's Granddaughter, Blanca of Castile, an infantana, is suddenly being forced to go to Paris with her grandmother and marry the young Prince Louis. Blanca is furious at first, because all she wanted was to discourage her grandmother from picking her older sister, not choose her instead. On the journey from Castile to Paris, Blanca must sort through her feelings and learn what it really takes to be a good queen.

I only have two complaints: 1, a lot of the chapters, especially in the beginning, felt very long (my kindle often showed a chapter would take me 14 minutes to read). 2, the ending felt a little odd to me. I was expecting the book to end with Blanca in Paris at her wedding, or just after her wedding. Maybe there is meant to be a sequel book in the future? Either way, the ending left me feeling as if I was missing extra information or a cliffhanger.

Aside from all that, this was a great book! I always love a good fiction book based on something from history that really did exist.

[M.L. Bennett]

Writing of 13th century Europe poses many challenges by any standard, much less from the perspective of a 13 year old royal. The vast differences of gender and sexuality cannot compare to modernity. Diving into this novel, I was curious to read how Zahler broached the subject of marriage between (what we now consider) children for a middle grade audience. And I have to report that it was done tactfully and elegantly. While this novel follows Blanca’s literal and figurative path towards adulthood (aka marriage to the king of France), it really focuses less on the end of the road and more on the deep connections between the women of this tale. Between mother and daughter, sisters, friends bridging religious practices, and of course, granddaughter and grandmother. Despite being written during a time when women were purposely left out of the narrative, Zahler focuses on the agency and empowerment of each female character in her societal role. Blanca becoming queen. Suna traveling the [Christian] world. Eleanor of Aquitaine continuously asserting her power of family matriarch even across country borders. This is a beautiful coming-of-age novel, filled with action-packed scenes of travel from Castile to Paris. More than anything, I enjoyed the historical immersion.

[Laura]

The Queen’s Granddaughter by Diane Zahler was a delightful surprise for me. I don’t typically read middle grade fiction, but the moment I saw that the story centered on Eleanor of Aquitaine and her granddaughter Blanche of Castile, I was immediately intrigued and I’m so glad I picked it up.

Zahler’s research shines through on every page. The historical details are woven in with such a light touch that young readers (and adults!) absorb a wealth of information without ever feeling lectured. I especially appreciated the subtle learning embedded throughout the narrative--facts, context, and cultural nuances that enrich the story rather than slow it down.

What stood out the most was the portrayal of Eleanor. Zahler captures her intelligence, political savvy, and larger-than-life presence in a way that feels both accessible to a younger audience and satisfying to readers who know her historical significance. Blanche is also rendered with great care, making her development engaging and believable.

While it’s clearly written for a younger demographic, the story has enough depth, charm, and historical richness to appeal to adults as well. For anyone interested in medieval history or strong female figures, and especially for readers looking to introduce these topics to younger audiences, this is an excellent choice.

A strong four stars, and a book I’m glad I didn’t miss.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Sarah]

Twelve-year-old Princess Blanca of Castille is determined to keep her beloved older sister from marrying the French crown prince and moving far away. But her efforts to dissuade her grandmother from taking Urraca away lead to an unexpected—and unwanted—result: Blanca is chosen as Louis’ bride instead. Now Blanca must leave almost everyone she knows for an arduous journey to her new home. Along the way, she will encounter dangers natural and manmade; meet strangers full of unexpected kindnesses and prejudices; and come to terms both with her formidable grandmother and her own future.

Like the group’s physical journey across the Pyrenees Mountains, the narrative pace rises and falls throughout The Queen’s Granddaughter, with stretches of daily life and introspection periodically interrupted by action sequences. Themes include the costs of growing up and queenship, which are inextricably intertwined for Blanca, and Blanca’s broadening perspective on class, religion, and privilege.

The primary characters in this book are all women: Blanca; her best friend, Suna; and her grandmother, the famous Eleanor of Aquitaine. Relationships between these characters are the heart of the story. Secondary characters include Blanca’s mother and siblings, Suna’s aunts, and the famed English knight, Sir William Marshall.

A solid pick for middle grade historical fiction fans who don’t mind a meandering narrative. This book is reminiscent of several Karen Cushman titles, though it is simultaneously longer and less intense than Cushman’s works.

Back matter includes an author’s note that discusses the real history.

Recommended as an optional purchase for ages 9-12.

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Content Notes:

• Strong Language: Almost nonexistent.

• Violence: Kidnapping by force and threats of greater violence. A secondary character suffers severe wounds but recovers, and a primary character is briefly very ill. A battle occurs between unnamed characters that Blanca is able to watch, and minor (usually unnamed) characters die.

• Suspense: Mild to medium. Although characters are intermittently in grave danger, it is always quickly resolved—generally within a few paragraphs to a few pages’ time.

• Drugs and Alcohol: Characters drink wine, as is period-appropriate.

• Authority Figures: Blanca’s parents, grandmother, and Sir William are all portrayed as meaning well and usually correct, but are fallible individuals who must learn and grow in the same way Blanca does. Likewise, Suna’s aunts are shown as wise and kind people who are worthy of respect. As is typical in coming-of-age stories, Blanca is starting to transition from a more subservient position to one of equality with (or, in Blanca’s case, significant social superiority to) the adults around her.

• Race & Ethnicity: Suna and her family are coded as non-white. All other characters read as White.

• Disability & Mental Health: Blanca’s best friend, Suna, is Hard of Hearing; they often use a sign language they created to communicate. As the journey goes on, Queen Eleanor begins to experience more physical difficulties due to her old age.

• Sex & Sexuality: Mild. Blanca is reluctantly trapped in an arranged, heterosexual betrothal with a man she has never met. Side characters are in established heterosexual relationships that do not feature prominently. Blanca and Suna believe Sir William has a chaste, heterosexual crush on a minor character.

• Religion: Suna and her family are Muslim, while Blanca, her family, and Sir William are Catholic. Both Suna and Blanca are mentioned as praying at different points in the book, though never in any detail. Anti-Muslim prejudice against Suna from side characters is a recurring issue, but is always acknowledged by the narrative.

• Other: N/A


Thanks to HarperCollins for the copy via the Southern Ohio Young Adult Media Group.

[Rachel]

Gr 4 & Up – In this richly imagined historical novel, Diane Zahler brings to life the later years of Eleanor of Aquitaine as she journeys to her daughter’s court and selects a granddaughter to marry the French king. Readers follow Blanca (also known as Blanche), the unsuspecting granddaughter suddenly chosen for this royal duty, and her best friend Suna as they travel to France and face the realities of political marriage. Blanca’s perspective provides an accessible window into the world of arranged alliances, courtly expectations, and the heavy responsibilities of leadership. Zahler’s portrayal of Blanca is engaging and relatable, balancing pluck and vulnerability as she navigates friendship, duty, and identity. The immersive medieval setting, woven with vivid details of court life and society’s rules, adds depth and authenticity. VERDICT: A strong purchase for middle grade collections. Both a captivating coming-of-age tale and an introduction to Eleanor of Aquitaine’s legacy, this novel will appeal to historical fiction fans and readers drawn to stories of courage, growth, and navigating destiny.

[Sarah]

Bianca is an infanta in the kingdom of Castille, year 1200. Her grandmother is the formidable Eleanor of Aquitaine, once married to the king of France, and then to King Henry II of England. Bianca's mother is Eleanor's daughter. Eleanor comes to visit, and, much to Blanca's dismay, chooses her to be married to the dauphin of France.

Blanca is an imptuous 12-year-old girl who doesn't want to be married to anyone, at least not yet. She has her friend Suna and her life in Castille. But when Grandmother Eleanor commands, all must obey.

This story is mostly set on the journey from Castille to Aquitaine. It's got insights into a culture that most middle school students may have only briefly learned about - courtly love and chivalry, knight and jousting, infidels and crusades. Suna is Muslim, whose people could live relatively freely in some parts of Spain but not much in the rest of Europe. The author's notes at the end are great for explaining what really happened in history and where she has taken liberties with the historical record.

[Martha Meyer]

Oh! I loved this one! Eleanor of Aquitaine is a thrilling person about which to write a novel as is her brave granddaughter, Blanche of Castille, the future Queen of France. Based on true stories. Empowering! Ms. Zahler includes a compelling Muslim main character, which gives us all a chance to learn about that time in Spain when 3 faiths lived together well.

Blanca (later Blanche) is a rough and tumble Infanta in Castille when we first meet her, rescuing her brother from scrapes and running away when angered! But Eleanor of Aquitaine, despite being 77, is a great if sometimes testy teacher and, as an infanta, Blanca's been preparing all her life for being an educated and accomplished ruler; she just thought she'd have more time to get ready.

A wonderful medieval historical for young readers 8 - 12 (grades 3 - 7) with lots of thought provoking experiences on Eleanor and Blanca's journey from Castille to France.

[Savannah]

As a fan of medieval history, I really enjoyed reading this middle grade title. Many stories have been told about Eleanor of Aquitaine and her famous family, but this was one I had not encountered before. The main character, Blanca, is a Castilian infanta and granddaughter of the indomitable Eleanor of Aquitaine. She is headstrong, vivacious and maybe a little bit spoiled and when she meets her legendary grandmother, her life changes forever. Her grandmother has plans for her future that Blanca wants nothing to do with. But an infanta doesn't get to say no to a queen like Eleanor. Blanca embarks on a literal and emotional journey with her best friend Suna, her cranky grandmother and the legendary William Marshal. Blanca learns many lessons about humility, friendship, bravery, prejudice and what it means to be a leader.