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The Royal Diaries
Kristina: The Girl King, Sweden, 1638
Carolyn Meyer, author of best-selling ROYAL DIARIES Isabel and Anastasia, now brings to the series this compelling story of Kristina, The Girl King, from 17th-century Sweden.
Upon discovering that their newborn infant was, in fact, female and not male as first thought, Queen Marie Eleonore wailed inconsolably and King Gustavus Adolphus declared, nevertheless, that the child be raised as a prince. At age six, upon the death of her father, the child Kristina, was proclaimed King of Sweden, with regents assigned to council until she assumes the throne at age eighteen. And indeed, her life followed her father's plan. We meet Kristina when she's almost twelve years old and eschewing feminine practices but reveling in the study of military tactics,
Upon discovering that their newborn infant was, in fact, female and not male as first thought, Queen Marie Eleonore wailed inconsolably and King Gustavus Adolphus declared, nevertheless, that the child be raised as a prince. At age six, upon the death of her father, the child Kristina, was proclaimed King of Sweden, with regents assigned to council until she assumes the throne at age eighteen. And indeed, her life followed her father's plan. We meet Kristina when she's almost twelve years old and eschewing feminine practices but reveling in the study of military tactics,
176 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2003
22 people are currently reading
3219 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Meyer
112 books1,088 followersCarolyn Meyer is as versatile a writer as you will find. Along with historical fiction and realistic novels for young adults she has written nonfiction for young adults and books for younger readers on topics as diverse as the Amish, the Irish, Japanese, Yup'ik Eskimos, a rock band, rock tumbling, bread baking, and coconuts. And ten of her books have been chosen as Best Books for Young Adults by the American Library Association. In her most recent historical novels she has dealt with the young lives of Mary Tudor, Princess Elizabeth, Anastasia, and Isabel of Castilla, Spain.
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December 7, 2019
”She'll be clever, she has made fools of us all!”- Gustav Adolf
Growing up, Kristina has been preparing to become the next ruler of Sweden, As her parent’s only living child, she is expected to take her father’s place on the throne of the massive Swedish empire. However, instead of preparing to be the next queen of Sweden, her father has instructed her teachers and advisors to prepare her to be the next king. Yes, you read that right; king. Unfortunately for her, she is thrust into this role far too soon when her father dies when she is six. Too young to rule by herself, her trusted advisors and counselors rule in her stead. All the while, she is given the best education possible and instructed in subjects normally only given to princes. Under the guidance of her beloved aunt Katrina, her fun-loving cousins and her “Papa Matthiae,” Kristina is slowly being groomed to rule Sweden on her own. Will she be fully capable of ruling the country by herself, especially since she has no intentions of marrying or having children? Can she be the “Girl King" everyone expects her to be?
This book holds a special place in my heart, because it was the first Royal Diary book I ever read. I was in 6th grade and something about the title and the cover caught my attention. Turns out, it would be the start of a long and fruitful relationship with the Royal Diaries, Dear America, My Name is America, and My America series. It also started my love affair with historical fiction. With this book, I dived in head first and never looked back, so to speak.
This diary follows the eleven-year-old Kristina throughout one year of her life, showcasing her struggles to get along with her mentally ill mother and the expectations of her counsel for her to get married and produce an heir, something she flatly refuses to think about. Her trailblazing and feminist ideas make her a standout in a world where the only purpose women seem to have is to get married and bear children, and women were not deemed fit to rule a country. Kristina smashed all those ideas and made new rules of her own, which is why she is so fascinating to read about.
Kristina was not your average princess (or should I say ruler, since she’s technically monarch here, even though she’s not of age). While most princesses would be busy with needlepoint, painting and other activities deemed suitable for a woman, Kristina was taking fencing lessons, riding lessons, and practicing four languages. She preferred trousers and boots to dresses and heels, detested having her portrait painted, and absolutely would not even consider the possibility of getting married or having children. Some people might see this portrayal of Kristina as her being an immature child who is just being impetuous, but I happened to like Kristina’s pluck and determination. She’s not one to follow others orders; she marches to the beat of her own drum, no matter how far-fetched and scandalous her ideas may be.
Unfortunately, poor Kristina has to be stuck with the most horrid of mothers. Maria Eleanora may or may not be justifiably insane, and alternately smothers Kristina with attention and criticizes her every move the next. The poor child can’t do anything right in her mother’s eyes. She can’t wait to get rid of Kristina and has never gotten over the disappointment of having a girl, yet can’t stand it when her only child is taken away from her. Thankfully, Kristina is blessed to have a wonderful aunt, Katrina, whom Kristina looks up to as a second mother. I loved Katrina and her warm, loving personality, which is a stark but welcome contrast to her sister-in-laws.
Kristina’s closest friends are also her cousins: Karl, Eleanore, Marie Euphrosyne and Adolf. The three oldest cousins are particularly close to her, although she finds Marie and Eleanore silly at times. I didn’t become particularly attached to any of them, to be honest. Other than be her friends (and technically foster siblings), they added nothing to the story, except to show how little intellect they have compared to Kristina.
Kristina’s advisors, Johannes Matthiae and Axel Oxenstierna are wise men who help Kristina rule until she comes of age. Unlike most advisors to rulers who really don’t want what’s best for their charges kingdom (only themselves), Matthiae and Oxenstierna truly feel that Kristina will be a good an capable ruler, and make logical decisions on her behalf. Thankfully, one of those decisions is to NOT have Kristina raised by her mother, which I forsee would have been a huge catastrophe. They also don’t undermine her or sugarcoat anything just because she’s a woman. They honor her father’s wishes that she be raised to become the future king (not queen).
Before this series, if someone had asked me about Kristina, I would have stared at you like a dodo and asked who the hell they were talking about. The beauty about this series is that it introduces young readers to famous royal figures they probably never would have heard about in their regular history class. Heck, my grandmother is Swedish and SHE’D never even heard of Kristina!! So it was nice to learn more about my heritage as well. It was also nice to read about a ruler who was happy to have a daughter instead of torturing the child over the years with the fact that they weren’t the son they always wanted. Kristina’s father, though he never made an appearance in the book, was clearly an awesome person.
One thing that irked me just a titch as an older reader was the romantical undertones. This may not bother other readers, but it kind of bothered me. Karl is clearly in love with Kristina, and his unrequited love for her is predominate in the story.
Now, there are two problems with this scenario. First of all, Kristina has no interest in marrying her (or anyone at all, for that matter). Secondly Karl is 16 years old. Kristina is 11.
11.
Good heavens, a 16-year-old should not be romantically interested in an 11-year-old. Bleh!! Thankfully, the romantic interest is one-sided.
In the epilogue of the book, the author states that Kristina is the second most talked about queen in history, right behind Cleopatra. I don’t quite agree with this statement, but this book does a wonderful job of bringing to light a little known queen to young readers. She was a fiercely independent, highly intelligent young woman who knew what she wanted and went for it, even if it meant sacrificing her power and prestige in the process. Although this book takes place during a short period of her life, readers might better understand this enigmatic, fascinating figure that has largely been forgotten in modern history.
Growing up, Kristina has been preparing to become the next ruler of Sweden, As her parent’s only living child, she is expected to take her father’s place on the throne of the massive Swedish empire. However, instead of preparing to be the next queen of Sweden, her father has instructed her teachers and advisors to prepare her to be the next king. Yes, you read that right; king. Unfortunately for her, she is thrust into this role far too soon when her father dies when she is six. Too young to rule by herself, her trusted advisors and counselors rule in her stead. All the while, she is given the best education possible and instructed in subjects normally only given to princes. Under the guidance of her beloved aunt Katrina, her fun-loving cousins and her “Papa Matthiae,” Kristina is slowly being groomed to rule Sweden on her own. Will she be fully capable of ruling the country by herself, especially since she has no intentions of marrying or having children? Can she be the “Girl King" everyone expects her to be?
This book holds a special place in my heart, because it was the first Royal Diary book I ever read. I was in 6th grade and something about the title and the cover caught my attention. Turns out, it would be the start of a long and fruitful relationship with the Royal Diaries, Dear America, My Name is America, and My America series. It also started my love affair with historical fiction. With this book, I dived in head first and never looked back, so to speak.
This diary follows the eleven-year-old Kristina throughout one year of her life, showcasing her struggles to get along with her mentally ill mother and the expectations of her counsel for her to get married and produce an heir, something she flatly refuses to think about. Her trailblazing and feminist ideas make her a standout in a world where the only purpose women seem to have is to get married and bear children, and women were not deemed fit to rule a country. Kristina smashed all those ideas and made new rules of her own, which is why she is so fascinating to read about.
Kristina was not your average princess (or should I say ruler, since she’s technically monarch here, even though she’s not of age). While most princesses would be busy with needlepoint, painting and other activities deemed suitable for a woman, Kristina was taking fencing lessons, riding lessons, and practicing four languages. She preferred trousers and boots to dresses and heels, detested having her portrait painted, and absolutely would not even consider the possibility of getting married or having children. Some people might see this portrayal of Kristina as her being an immature child who is just being impetuous, but I happened to like Kristina’s pluck and determination. She’s not one to follow others orders; she marches to the beat of her own drum, no matter how far-fetched and scandalous her ideas may be.
Unfortunately, poor Kristina has to be stuck with the most horrid of mothers. Maria Eleanora may or may not be justifiably insane, and alternately smothers Kristina with attention and criticizes her every move the next. The poor child can’t do anything right in her mother’s eyes. She can’t wait to get rid of Kristina and has never gotten over the disappointment of having a girl, yet can’t stand it when her only child is taken away from her. Thankfully, Kristina is blessed to have a wonderful aunt, Katrina, whom Kristina looks up to as a second mother. I loved Katrina and her warm, loving personality, which is a stark but welcome contrast to her sister-in-laws.
Kristina’s closest friends are also her cousins: Karl, Eleanore, Marie Euphrosyne and Adolf. The three oldest cousins are particularly close to her, although she finds Marie and Eleanore silly at times. I didn’t become particularly attached to any of them, to be honest. Other than be her friends (and technically foster siblings), they added nothing to the story, except to show how little intellect they have compared to Kristina.
Kristina’s advisors, Johannes Matthiae and Axel Oxenstierna are wise men who help Kristina rule until she comes of age. Unlike most advisors to rulers who really don’t want what’s best for their charges kingdom (only themselves), Matthiae and Oxenstierna truly feel that Kristina will be a good an capable ruler, and make logical decisions on her behalf. Thankfully, one of those decisions is to NOT have Kristina raised by her mother, which I forsee would have been a huge catastrophe. They also don’t undermine her or sugarcoat anything just because she’s a woman. They honor her father’s wishes that she be raised to become the future king (not queen).
Before this series, if someone had asked me about Kristina, I would have stared at you like a dodo and asked who the hell they were talking about. The beauty about this series is that it introduces young readers to famous royal figures they probably never would have heard about in their regular history class. Heck, my grandmother is Swedish and SHE’D never even heard of Kristina!! So it was nice to learn more about my heritage as well. It was also nice to read about a ruler who was happy to have a daughter instead of torturing the child over the years with the fact that they weren’t the son they always wanted. Kristina’s father, though he never made an appearance in the book, was clearly an awesome person.
One thing that irked me just a titch as an older reader was the romantical undertones. This may not bother other readers, but it kind of bothered me. Karl is clearly in love with Kristina, and his unrequited love for her is predominate in the story.
Now, there are two problems with this scenario. First of all, Kristina has no interest in marrying her (or anyone at all, for that matter). Secondly Karl is 16 years old. Kristina is 11.
11.
Good heavens, a 16-year-old should not be romantically interested in an 11-year-old. Bleh!! Thankfully, the romantic interest is one-sided.
In the epilogue of the book, the author states that Kristina is the second most talked about queen in history, right behind Cleopatra. I don’t quite agree with this statement, but this book does a wonderful job of bringing to light a little known queen to young readers. She was a fiercely independent, highly intelligent young woman who knew what she wanted and went for it, even if it meant sacrificing her power and prestige in the process. Although this book takes place during a short period of her life, readers might better understand this enigmatic, fascinating figure that has largely been forgotten in modern history.
February 24, 2011
Kristina, Girl King / 0-439-24976-7
As much as I love the Princess Diaries, I particularly enjoy those which feature princesses about which I know absolutely nothing. Kristina was one of these mystery princesses, for despite her unusual solo rule over her tiny kingdom, I had not heard of her previously in my history classes. Unfortunately, as fascinating as this princess is, I can't help but feel that the author missed a superb opportunity for introspection, and the story suffers for it.
A great deal of Kristina reads less like a diary and more like a narrative; Kristina does not waste much time recording her thoughts so much as recording daily events. So, for instance, she will record her unusual and scandalous behavior of dressing up secretly like a boy and riding astride (instead of side-saddle) her horse, and she will record how enjoyable the experience was ("I'll never ride side-saddle again!"), but she does not reflect much further on this line of thought, to wonder perhaps why a ruler cannot wear whatever they like or ride however they please, if that ruler is female. Kristina is frustrated, and rightfully so, that she must prove herself daily in ways that a boy would not have to, but she never considers why this must be so, or even suggests that this double-standard is unfair.
This is particularly jarring in her treatment of women in the novel. Kristina does not wish to be 'as good' as a man, or to be treated as though she were a man (i.e., with respect and disobedience). Rather, she wants to *be* a man, largely because she has internalized (in the author's imagination, at least) the message that women are weak and worthless creatures. As such, she uses her diary to heap scorn and derision on her female peers for choosing embroidery to sword-fighting, without considering such basic and obvious details such that Kristina's wealth and position places her in a unique position to pursue these manly pursuits. Kristina does not consider that she may pursue these hobbies relatively unmolested, but that her lady companions would be considered damaged and unsuited for marriage, condemned to a life of living in her father's home, derided for being a leach on the family's resources.
Where other Princess Diaries have used this disparity between what they are allowed to do and what their peers are allowed to do in order to highlight the class and gender boundaries in their society, Kristina wastes this opportunity to simply record (again and again!) how much she despises all women in general. This makes for rather uninteresting reading at times, because we feel that Kristina is too myopic to provide an interesting viewpoint for her society, and I'm not sure that this is a good message for young women, who already feel an enormous amount of pressure from our society that "girl pursuits" are frivolous and worthless.
In the end, I enjoyed Kristina well enough, in spite of its flaws, because her situation is so very unique and fascinating, but I did find myself wishing that this compelling princess had been portrayed by, perhaps, a different author.
~ Ana Mardoll
As much as I love the Princess Diaries, I particularly enjoy those which feature princesses about which I know absolutely nothing. Kristina was one of these mystery princesses, for despite her unusual solo rule over her tiny kingdom, I had not heard of her previously in my history classes. Unfortunately, as fascinating as this princess is, I can't help but feel that the author missed a superb opportunity for introspection, and the story suffers for it.
A great deal of Kristina reads less like a diary and more like a narrative; Kristina does not waste much time recording her thoughts so much as recording daily events. So, for instance, she will record her unusual and scandalous behavior of dressing up secretly like a boy and riding astride (instead of side-saddle) her horse, and she will record how enjoyable the experience was ("I'll never ride side-saddle again!"), but she does not reflect much further on this line of thought, to wonder perhaps why a ruler cannot wear whatever they like or ride however they please, if that ruler is female. Kristina is frustrated, and rightfully so, that she must prove herself daily in ways that a boy would not have to, but she never considers why this must be so, or even suggests that this double-standard is unfair.
This is particularly jarring in her treatment of women in the novel. Kristina does not wish to be 'as good' as a man, or to be treated as though she were a man (i.e., with respect and disobedience). Rather, she wants to *be* a man, largely because she has internalized (in the author's imagination, at least) the message that women are weak and worthless creatures. As such, she uses her diary to heap scorn and derision on her female peers for choosing embroidery to sword-fighting, without considering such basic and obvious details such that Kristina's wealth and position places her in a unique position to pursue these manly pursuits. Kristina does not consider that she may pursue these hobbies relatively unmolested, but that her lady companions would be considered damaged and unsuited for marriage, condemned to a life of living in her father's home, derided for being a leach on the family's resources.
Where other Princess Diaries have used this disparity between what they are allowed to do and what their peers are allowed to do in order to highlight the class and gender boundaries in their society, Kristina wastes this opportunity to simply record (again and again!) how much she despises all women in general. This makes for rather uninteresting reading at times, because we feel that Kristina is too myopic to provide an interesting viewpoint for her society, and I'm not sure that this is a good message for young women, who already feel an enormous amount of pressure from our society that "girl pursuits" are frivolous and worthless.
In the end, I enjoyed Kristina well enough, in spite of its flaws, because her situation is so very unique and fascinating, but I did find myself wishing that this compelling princess had been portrayed by, perhaps, a different author.
~ Ana Mardoll
July 31, 2010
I read at the end of this book in the historical notes that Kristina is one of the most talked about rulers next to Cleopatra but to be honest I had never heard anything about her until I read this book. I think that says quite a lot about the teaching of history in these here United States. I really liked that she was such an educated young lady and that she actually WANTED to learn. Most young ladies during her time had no other interest than to get married and have children. She also showed great consideration for all of those around her. With that being said I must admit that I was upset to learn that she abdicated the thrown after only four years. Her father had given her every advantage to learn and become a just and wise ruler. I think her abdication was incredibly selfish. I don't believe she was thinking about her people and what would happen to them when she left. I also don't think she thought about the fact that her families rule would end with her. I understand that most people would make the point that she should have the right to do what she wants but sometimes you must sacrifice yourself for the betterment of your country and your people.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2010
She did live up to her word from the time she was 11 to never marry. I liked that she did what SHE wanted to do, she never let others influence her to do otherwise.
August 23, 2010
Interesting, quick, young-adult read. Read it on the plane on the way to Sweden :)
August 10, 2025
Book: Kristina: The Girl King
Author: Carolyn Meyer
Rating: 5 Out of 5 Stars
I have been a huge fan of the Royal Diaries for many years, probably more years than I care to admit. While these books are not always super in-depth, they are a great way to introduce middle schoolers to various queens and bring them back to life. Kristina is one whom many students are not familiar with, and this gives them a chance to see who she was and her Sweden.
In this one, we follow Kristina of Sweden. When Queen Marie Eleonore learned that her newborn was a girl rather than a boy, she wept with despair. King Gustavus Adolphus, however, insisted the child be raised as a prince. At six years old, following her father’s death, Kristina was proclaimed King of Sweden. Regents were appointed to guide the kingdom until she reached the age of eighteen, as her father had planned. By the time we meet Kristina, she is nearly twelve, uninterested in the expected roles and manners of young women. Instead, she devotes herself to the study of military tactics and embraces pursuits typically reserved for men.
This book breathes life into the fascinating story of Sweden’s unconventional monarch. From the very beginning, Kristina’s life was shaped by her father’s vision. She was raised to be a king rather than a queen, trained in statecraft, strategy, and leadership, and encouraged to think independently in a world where women were rarely allowed such freedom.
What makes this book shine is how vividly Kristina’s personality comes through. She refuses to conform to expectations, whether it means favouring military tactics over courtly graces or holding firm in her decision not to marry despite immense pressure. The novel captures her determination and her ability to take matters into her own hands, even when surrounded by advisors who expected her to bend.
Beyond its compelling central character, this book opens a window into a time and place that may be unfamiliar to many, especially younger readers. Meyer’s storytelling transports readers to 17th-century Sweden, painting a rich portrait of its politics, traditions, and the unique circumstances that led to a young girl ruling as king. Kristina’s story is both inspiring and enlightening, offering a look at a ruler who was unafraid to defy the norms of her era.
This is historical fiction at its best—engaging, educational, and empowering. Readers will walk away not only entertained but with a deeper appreciation for a remarkable figure who refused to let history define her role.
Overall, I thought this was a strong book for the Royal Diaries series. Again, I have been reading this series for many years, and I do love most of what it has to offer.
Author: Carolyn Meyer
Rating: 5 Out of 5 Stars
I have been a huge fan of the Royal Diaries for many years, probably more years than I care to admit. While these books are not always super in-depth, they are a great way to introduce middle schoolers to various queens and bring them back to life. Kristina is one whom many students are not familiar with, and this gives them a chance to see who she was and her Sweden.
In this one, we follow Kristina of Sweden. When Queen Marie Eleonore learned that her newborn was a girl rather than a boy, she wept with despair. King Gustavus Adolphus, however, insisted the child be raised as a prince. At six years old, following her father’s death, Kristina was proclaimed King of Sweden. Regents were appointed to guide the kingdom until she reached the age of eighteen, as her father had planned. By the time we meet Kristina, she is nearly twelve, uninterested in the expected roles and manners of young women. Instead, she devotes herself to the study of military tactics and embraces pursuits typically reserved for men.
This book breathes life into the fascinating story of Sweden’s unconventional monarch. From the very beginning, Kristina’s life was shaped by her father’s vision. She was raised to be a king rather than a queen, trained in statecraft, strategy, and leadership, and encouraged to think independently in a world where women were rarely allowed such freedom.
What makes this book shine is how vividly Kristina’s personality comes through. She refuses to conform to expectations, whether it means favouring military tactics over courtly graces or holding firm in her decision not to marry despite immense pressure. The novel captures her determination and her ability to take matters into her own hands, even when surrounded by advisors who expected her to bend.
Beyond its compelling central character, this book opens a window into a time and place that may be unfamiliar to many, especially younger readers. Meyer’s storytelling transports readers to 17th-century Sweden, painting a rich portrait of its politics, traditions, and the unique circumstances that led to a young girl ruling as king. Kristina’s story is both inspiring and enlightening, offering a look at a ruler who was unafraid to defy the norms of her era.
This is historical fiction at its best—engaging, educational, and empowering. Readers will walk away not only entertained but with a deeper appreciation for a remarkable figure who refused to let history define her role.
Overall, I thought this was a strong book for the Royal Diaries series. Again, I have been reading this series for many years, and I do love most of what it has to offer.
April 26, 2009
In her diary, covering mainly her 12th year, Kristina explains that her father, King Gustav II Adolf, desperately wanted a son to become heir to his kingdom. Upon her birth, he declared that she would be treated as a boy, raised as a prince, and someday become King of Sweden.
She describes learning from the finest tutors, engaging in fencing and horseback riding, and being schooled in the laws and practices of the Swedish government. She is intellectually curious and takes her role as prince-in-training seriously. The story is full of tutoring sessions and frequent disputes with Kristina's combative mother. However, the action lags somewhat and the pacing is often slow.
This diary reveals the Kristina most people ignore: not the very masculine woman who gave up her throne to parade around Europe dressed as a man on a white stallion and for Catholicism, but the young misunderstood princess who was alone in the world and had a very difficult childhood as she prepared for her greatest role: to be crowned king of Sweden.
In the early 1650s, Kristina renounced her crown because of her inclination to Catholicism (since Sweden was and still is a dominantly Protestant country). She moved to Rome, where she became a Catholic, and greatly contributed to art, literature, and music. She died in 1689 following a long illness. She is also known for never marrying, and she greatly admired the Virgin Queen Elizabeth I of England, who also never married.
Book Details:
Title Kristina: The Girl King, Sweden, 1618 (The Royal Diaries)
Author Carolyn Meyer
Reviewed By Purplycookie
She describes learning from the finest tutors, engaging in fencing and horseback riding, and being schooled in the laws and practices of the Swedish government. She is intellectually curious and takes her role as prince-in-training seriously. The story is full of tutoring sessions and frequent disputes with Kristina's combative mother. However, the action lags somewhat and the pacing is often slow.
This diary reveals the Kristina most people ignore: not the very masculine woman who gave up her throne to parade around Europe dressed as a man on a white stallion and for Catholicism, but the young misunderstood princess who was alone in the world and had a very difficult childhood as she prepared for her greatest role: to be crowned king of Sweden.
In the early 1650s, Kristina renounced her crown because of her inclination to Catholicism (since Sweden was and still is a dominantly Protestant country). She moved to Rome, where she became a Catholic, and greatly contributed to art, literature, and music. She died in 1689 following a long illness. She is also known for never marrying, and she greatly admired the Virgin Queen Elizabeth I of England, who also never married.
Book Details:
Title Kristina: The Girl King, Sweden, 1618 (The Royal Diaries)
Author Carolyn Meyer
Reviewed By Purplycookie
May 11, 2016
Um, can we talk about how freaking bad ass this female KING was? How she was all, "I'm smart as hell. I can fight and ride and fence. I can be kind and righteous and just ruler."
More plot than most of the books. Characters were much better than some.of the others. I loved that we only knew that Karl liked her because other people told her. She was so absorbed in seeing him as a friend/brother that she never picked up on feelings.
More plot than most of the books. Characters were much better than some.of the others. I loved that we only knew that Karl liked her because other people told her. She was so absorbed in seeing him as a friend/brother that she never picked up on feelings.
July 10, 2024
How in the world have I not heard of this royal?? She is a bad ass. Her father wanted a son to be heir, yet when Kristina was born, he declared that she would be raised as a prince. I love how educated and intelligent Kristina was. She did what she needed and wanted regardless of typical gender roles. This diary was written as more plot heavy than introspective, yet I loved it all the same. It was so good. I wish there was more about this girl King as it's such a rare thing, especially for this time period!
January 20, 2018
I was rather put off by the cover, but this was actually quite good for giving a view into King Kristina of Sweden in all her complexity. The end notes were solid as well. Not bad for a book aimed at younger readers.
July 1, 2009
Not Carolyn Meyer's best or the best of the Royal Diaries series. Queen Kristina has been the subject of movies and books, yet the only thing she does in this book is wear boys clothes and ride horses. What did I learn from this book: she wanted to be called "king" not "queen," she didn't want to get married, and she hated her mother. (That's all!)
Read Elizabeth I: Red Rose of the Tudors. (Much more descriptive. Granted this is a higher profile historical figure, but you will learn much more about the time period.)
Read Elizabeth I: Red Rose of the Tudors. (Much more descriptive. Granted this is a higher profile historical figure, but you will learn much more about the time period.)
December 28, 2015
Kristina was an interesting historical figure and one of the rare women rulers who was given the throne without too much fuss. Part of me is impressed that she was able to give way her throne and pursue the life that she wanted, but honestly I do feel a bit disappointed that she abdicated after wanting to be a good ruler for much of the book (not the author's fault obviously; just historical fact). Still she was interesting and rebellious lady who was determined to live life by her own rules.
October 9, 2008
This book I thought is just ok. It is very short, and written in a journal form. It's about a GIRL KING. So it is interesting how people respond to having Kristina as king.
December 20, 2015
I liked the book
August 12, 2017
3.5 stars. Carolyn Meyer is always a solid bet.
May 26, 2021
2.5 stars
I don't have a lot to say about Kristina: The Girl King, not because it's bad but simply because it's a bit same-y. Kristina's life story is very much an unusual one, but her fictional diary here tells a lot of the same things over and over. Kristina loves riding and fencing, is bored by her embroidery-loving cousins, and is uncomfortable around her mother. These points and some smaller ones are reiterated over and over again in different contexts, leaving a pretty flimsy story.
Maybe setting the story when Kristina was 14 or 15, instead of 11 would increase the potential for a rich and compelling plot. I found it very interesting to learn that Kristina abdicated partly because she wanted to convert to Catholicism, yet in this book she only briefly mentions Catholic services being more cheerful than Lutheran ones. There is no deeper insight into what may have drawn her to the Catholic church and why she felt it was worth giving up her crown to be part of it. If she were slightly older in this story, it also could have brought her impending coronation more into the conflict. Here, the pre-teen Kristina wants to be king but never ponders the responsibilities that she will be taking on, and never prepares for kingship by doing anything other than learning languages and doing "manly" activities.
The history of the real life "girl king" has tons of potential for great storytelling, but unfortunately this version doesn't quite do it justice.
I don't have a lot to say about Kristina: The Girl King, not because it's bad but simply because it's a bit same-y. Kristina's life story is very much an unusual one, but her fictional diary here tells a lot of the same things over and over. Kristina loves riding and fencing, is bored by her embroidery-loving cousins, and is uncomfortable around her mother. These points and some smaller ones are reiterated over and over again in different contexts, leaving a pretty flimsy story.
Maybe setting the story when Kristina was 14 or 15, instead of 11 would increase the potential for a rich and compelling plot. I found it very interesting to learn that Kristina abdicated partly because she wanted to convert to Catholicism, yet in this book she only briefly mentions Catholic services being more cheerful than Lutheran ones. There is no deeper insight into what may have drawn her to the Catholic church and why she felt it was worth giving up her crown to be part of it. If she were slightly older in this story, it also could have brought her impending coronation more into the conflict. Here, the pre-teen Kristina wants to be king but never ponders the responsibilities that she will be taking on, and never prepares for kingship by doing anything other than learning languages and doing "manly" activities.
The history of the real life "girl king" has tons of potential for great storytelling, but unfortunately this version doesn't quite do it justice.
April 20, 2019
Took me a little bit longer to finish this book than it regularly would've because of something personal in my life. But I am glad I was able to experience this book. As I read it I was looking up Swedish pronunciation and maps so I would be able to better understand what I was reading. Very quickly it made me want to go to Sweden and experience the Midsummer celebration and the midnight sun.
Kristina is a person in history that I had never learned about, and I bet most American's haven't. We pretty much never focus any time at all, not even more than a mention, of Scandinavia in history class. But she is a very interesting individual. Like Queen Elizabeth I of England, who she greatly admires, Kristina is a strong female. She is determined to never marry so she can rule Sweden on her own, which she succeeds in, but I was very interested to learn that it didn't take her long to abdicate the thrown so that she could explore more of Europe. I admire her for that. In that day and age, a woman ruling alone was rare, never mind go on to pursue her goals and dreams outside of what was expected of her. More girls need to learn about Kristina at a young age.
Kristina is a person in history that I had never learned about, and I bet most American's haven't. We pretty much never focus any time at all, not even more than a mention, of Scandinavia in history class. But she is a very interesting individual. Like Queen Elizabeth I of England, who she greatly admires, Kristina is a strong female. She is determined to never marry so she can rule Sweden on her own, which she succeeds in, but I was very interested to learn that it didn't take her long to abdicate the thrown so that she could explore more of Europe. I admire her for that. In that day and age, a woman ruling alone was rare, never mind go on to pursue her goals and dreams outside of what was expected of her. More girls need to learn about Kristina at a young age.
May 19, 2019
This was another really quick read, so that was nice. There’s really not much I have to say about this one. Kristina was pretty badass, taking her life into her own hands and giving up being king (yes, king) in order to do her own thing. Her story was interesting enough, it just kind of stopped without a lot of resolution. It felt like Carolyn Meyer ran out of things to say.
So...yeah. This was alright. Glad I read it.
So...yeah. This was alright. Glad I read it.
November 1, 2019
I read this book a while ago this year and I forgot to mark it read. I thought this was such a great book. I thought Kristina was such a strong young girl. It was interesting to read about a girl being groomed to become since she was the only hire to the throne. I hated how her mother was. She was a very mean and deranged woman.
September 10, 2021
It's been my goal since I was 11 to collect all if these books and read them. So far, I am doing okay! This one was an excellent edition to the Royal Diaries series. Carolyn Meyer's *accurate* depiction of The Girl King was utterly delightful.
Four stars.
Four stars.
July 25, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. It is the second one I have read. I just wish they could be longer. I want to know more.
January 13, 2022
I wanted a quick little read about this girl king from Sweden. Got it 😀
December 29, 2022
She is rad and so is her dad
July 11, 2012
Another Royal Diaries read! This one is on Queen (or "King") Kristina/Christina of Sweden. The historical note at the back of the book states that she is the second most discussed queen amongst historians (first is Cleopatra VII), but I have not heard of her before this book, to be honest. She had a really fascinating upbringing, from what I can tell from this book.
In this juvenile novel, Kristina is the only child of the King and Queen of Sweden. When she was born, everyone thought she was a precious boy because of the caul covering her body. Of course, later everyone realized she was actually a girl. Her father thought this meant his child was very clever, already playing tricks on everyone, and announced that Kristina will be raised as a boy, as a prince, and one day become the King of Sweden, not Queen. And so, Kristina was raised learning all the things required of a royal prince, instead of the feminine arts required of a princess.
Her father dies when she is young and she is suddenly King of Sweden. While she will not rule on her own until she is 18, Kristina must deal with her emotionally unstable and overly smothering mother, her dear aunt and her councillors, all of whom want to find the best husband possible for Kristina to rule Sweden with. But Kristina doesn't want to marry -- ever!
I really liked this book. It's written by the same author that wrote the Anastasia book, which I adore, so I expected the same level of great storytelling with Kristina as well. I feel like I learned a lot about a royal who, before this book, I knew nothing about. She seems absolutely fascinating, being crowned King instead of Queen and all; I was a little disappointed to read later that she ended up abdicating her throne after a mere four years, due to stress and converting to the Catholic faith (a religion which Sweden banned from their country).
Kristina is one of the few royals in this series that actually had an interesting childhood that suited the age range for this book series, in my opinion. Some of the other books in this series, like Eleanor or Marie Antoinette, led more interesting lives as adults than as preteens, so those books may not feel as interesting. Kristina, however, experienced a lot of important changes and events in her life quite early, so her preteen years alone feel exciting. After reading this book, I would love to learn more about Kristina!
In this juvenile novel, Kristina is the only child of the King and Queen of Sweden. When she was born, everyone thought she was a precious boy because of the caul covering her body. Of course, later everyone realized she was actually a girl. Her father thought this meant his child was very clever, already playing tricks on everyone, and announced that Kristina will be raised as a boy, as a prince, and one day become the King of Sweden, not Queen. And so, Kristina was raised learning all the things required of a royal prince, instead of the feminine arts required of a princess.
Her father dies when she is young and she is suddenly King of Sweden. While she will not rule on her own until she is 18, Kristina must deal with her emotionally unstable and overly smothering mother, her dear aunt and her councillors, all of whom want to find the best husband possible for Kristina to rule Sweden with. But Kristina doesn't want to marry -- ever!
I really liked this book. It's written by the same author that wrote the Anastasia book, which I adore, so I expected the same level of great storytelling with Kristina as well. I feel like I learned a lot about a royal who, before this book, I knew nothing about. She seems absolutely fascinating, being crowned King instead of Queen and all; I was a little disappointed to read later that she ended up abdicating her throne after a mere four years, due to stress and converting to the Catholic faith (a religion which Sweden banned from their country).
Kristina is one of the few royals in this series that actually had an interesting childhood that suited the age range for this book series, in my opinion. Some of the other books in this series, like Eleanor or Marie Antoinette, led more interesting lives as adults than as preteens, so those books may not feel as interesting. Kristina, however, experienced a lot of important changes and events in her life quite early, so her preteen years alone feel exciting. After reading this book, I would love to learn more about Kristina!
February 14, 2014
Even though in her historical note Carolyn Meyer says Kristina of Sweden is one of the most talked about female monarchs in history, even more popular than Cleopatra, I highly doubt this. There is no doubt in my mind Cleopatra—to name one example—is more popular than Kristina will ever be. I had never heard of Kristina until I read this book (which actually belongs to my little sister), which is kind of sad because she really is a woman worthy of admiration.
In a world dominated by men and when only males could inherit the throne, Kristina is proclaimed heir to the throne of Sweden by her father. Kristina: The Girl King follows Kristina’s young years as she is trained like a prince, not a princess. She eschews romance, rides horses, practices archery, fences, learns battle strategies and studies classical Greek and Roman literature. Queen Elizabeth I has nothing on Kristina!
Kristina has a very powerful voice that readers will love, especially tomboys like myself. She is very sympathetic and three dimensional, as are all of the characters, even though we only glimpse them through her writing. Readers will love her and remember her for years to come, which is a good thing because the plot is not exactly fast-paced. However, it is an enjoyable read.
I give this book 4.5/5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars for Goodreads rating purposes.
In a world dominated by men and when only males could inherit the throne, Kristina is proclaimed heir to the throne of Sweden by her father. Kristina: The Girl King follows Kristina’s young years as she is trained like a prince, not a princess. She eschews romance, rides horses, practices archery, fences, learns battle strategies and studies classical Greek and Roman literature. Queen Elizabeth I has nothing on Kristina!
Kristina has a very powerful voice that readers will love, especially tomboys like myself. She is very sympathetic and three dimensional, as are all of the characters, even though we only glimpse them through her writing. Readers will love her and remember her for years to come, which is a good thing because the plot is not exactly fast-paced. However, it is an enjoyable read.
I give this book 4.5/5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars for Goodreads rating purposes.
February 3, 2016
This is the story of a girl who, technically, became the ruler of her country (Sweden) at the age of six. Actually, she didn't really become the ruler upon her father's death; a group of men were really the ones in power.
She was brought up as a prince, not a princess, by her own choice. She doesn't ever want to get married or have children, and her tastes in activities run to those usually enjoyed by males.
Her mother hates Sweden and is incredibly critical of everything Kristina does or wears.
At the time of the story Kristina is eleven-years-old and either is studying or already has studied algebra, geometry, geography, astronomy, Latin, German, French, Swedish and Greek, and she plans to learn Spanish and Italian. Obviously an incredibly intelligent young girl carrying a course-load far in advance of students that age in today's schools.
Most of the book has to do with her daily life, as expected, and her problems with her mother and with others who just can't accept that she doesn't want to behave in a feminine manner.
Although she officially takes over the throne when she's old enough, she rules only for a few years then abdicates the throne, tired of all the pressures and restrictions of a ruler.
It's a somewhat interesting book, but just not quite as interesting as most of the rest of the Royal Diaries stories.
She was brought up as a prince, not a princess, by her own choice. She doesn't ever want to get married or have children, and her tastes in activities run to those usually enjoyed by males.
Her mother hates Sweden and is incredibly critical of everything Kristina does or wears.
At the time of the story Kristina is eleven-years-old and either is studying or already has studied algebra, geometry, geography, astronomy, Latin, German, French, Swedish and Greek, and she plans to learn Spanish and Italian. Obviously an incredibly intelligent young girl carrying a course-load far in advance of students that age in today's schools.
Most of the book has to do with her daily life, as expected, and her problems with her mother and with others who just can't accept that she doesn't want to behave in a feminine manner.
Although she officially takes over the throne when she's old enough, she rules only for a few years then abdicates the throne, tired of all the pressures and restrictions of a ruler.
It's a somewhat interesting book, but just not quite as interesting as most of the rest of the Royal Diaries stories.
July 29, 2016
My biggest, and perhaps only, complaint with Kristina: The Girl King is that she, Carolyn Meyer as Kristina, doesn't go into enough detail with politics. As someone interested in that field, I wished I'd read more of her relationships with her mother, aunt, cousins, chancellor, even her late father.
The rest of the story reads well, of a very admirable young woman who is defiant in all she does, vowing never to marry and to be as great a king as the rest of them. This strong voice made Kristina's story stand out, more so than other princesses in the Royal Diaries series. Reading this again after many years, I was surprised how much I identified with Kristina, as someone who also doesn't want to have kids.
But slightly too often, the topic was centered around her mother or her aunt or marriage, which seemed like too light of topics to bring up. Of course, this is a children's book, but I wished Kristina's political power had come out more often. Still, I was very pleased to see the strong young female character take on everyone else — and pleased to discover this was a real person who other real people admire.
The rest of the story reads well, of a very admirable young woman who is defiant in all she does, vowing never to marry and to be as great a king as the rest of them. This strong voice made Kristina's story stand out, more so than other princesses in the Royal Diaries series. Reading this again after many years, I was surprised how much I identified with Kristina, as someone who also doesn't want to have kids.
But slightly too often, the topic was centered around her mother or her aunt or marriage, which seemed like too light of topics to bring up. Of course, this is a children's book, but I wished Kristina's political power had come out more often. Still, I was very pleased to see the strong young female character take on everyone else — and pleased to discover this was a real person who other real people admire.
February 14, 2021
Last Royal Diary! Kristina has been king of Sweden from the age of six, which means, of course, that she's never had any real power. She's also had to deal with her mother alternately smothering and critical, her council's expectations for her (which don't, of course, involve ruling), and her lessons, only some of which she likes. She isn't alone: she has her aunt and uncle and cousins, all of whom love and support her, and even a couple of advisors who believe she'll be a good ruler. She learns to balance her own impulsive nature with her responsibilities and to take more power and agency in her own life.
The book isn't... entirely accurate, or at the very least it implies some things about Kristina that the epilogue immediately disproves. For example, Kristina never did really take to being king; she eventually abdicated, converted to Catholicism, and hung around Rome for the rest of her life. She also was very much not straight (and possibly not cis as well), though the book dodges this question by just never addressing sexuality at all. It's an interesting story and well written, but I could have wished for a little more continuity with the Kristina of later years.
The book isn't... entirely accurate, or at the very least it implies some things about Kristina that the epilogue immediately disproves. For example, Kristina never did really take to being king; she eventually abdicated, converted to Catholicism, and hung around Rome for the rest of her life. She also was very much not straight (and possibly not cis as well), though the book dodges this question by just never addressing sexuality at all. It's an interesting story and well written, but I could have wished for a little more continuity with the Kristina of later years.
March 1, 2010
Before Kristina was born, her parents, King Gustav II Adolf of Sweden and his wife Maria Eleonora, had tried for years to have a child that survived. While her mother was pregnant with her, astrologers predicted Kristina would be a boy. Kristina's mother wept with disappointment upon discovering that her newborn infant was female, but her father declared his daughter would be as good as any boy. And when no more children were born to her parents and her father died when Kristina was just six, she inherited the throne of Sweden. Now eleven years old and waiting for the day when she will be old enough to rule on her own, Kristina begins a diary on Midsummer Day, 1638. She describes her education, which is that of a boy, as well as holidays and festivals and her difficult relationship with her mother.
I recommend this book to all fans of The Royal Diaries series. It brings to life the story of Kristina, a lesser-known royal whose life was fascinating. I liked the unique setting as I had never read a book set in 17th century Sweden before.
I recommend this book to all fans of The Royal Diaries series. It brings to life the story of Kristina, a lesser-known royal whose life was fascinating. I liked the unique setting as I had never read a book set in 17th century Sweden before.
February 9, 2013
This book is one of my favourite books from the ones I read in pre-adolescence. I actually read this at the same age as Kristina when she writes it, 12. Even though Kristina and I were centuries apart, I still felt a sort-of comradeship with her. Hats off to Carolyn Meyer for being such a powerful writer!
Like Kristina, I too had (and still have) major issues with religion. It was assuring to find that I was not the only freak who obsessed over religion at only 12 years of age. Like her, I am obstinate and have problems with people who try to run my life. The best thing about the book? The fact that Kristina wasn't portrayed as an important historical figure who wanted to chronicle her life before she ruled her country. No, Kristina was portrayed as a real girl, a girl most of us can relate to, who just happened to be the future king of a country.
I would recommend this book, and the entire Royal Diaries series to anyone who wants to read about historical royal women, before they became women.
Like Kristina, I too had (and still have) major issues with religion. It was assuring to find that I was not the only freak who obsessed over religion at only 12 years of age. Like her, I am obstinate and have problems with people who try to run my life. The best thing about the book? The fact that Kristina wasn't portrayed as an important historical figure who wanted to chronicle her life before she ruled her country. No, Kristina was portrayed as a real girl, a girl most of us can relate to, who just happened to be the future king of a country.
I would recommend this book, and the entire Royal Diaries series to anyone who wants to read about historical royal women, before they became women.
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