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Family tree series #7
Linnet
Linnet, a too-trusting upper-class young lady of fourteen, ran away to seek adventure in the heart of sixteenth-century London. Along the way she met Sir Colin Collyngewood, a gentleman, and accepted the ride he so kindly offered her. That was her first mistake. Her second was in accepting his hospitality - although by that time, she had little choice. A fascinating and intriguing book based on an actual historical plot.
224 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1971
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141 people want to read
About the author
Sally Watson
56 books35 followersWatson is a YA historical fiction writer, mostly about the British royals. She moved to England in 1964 and lived there for 24 years. Her most well-known works are parts of her English Family Tree series. Most of her books went out of print in the 1970s, many eventually reprinted by Image Cascade. She has also written YA novels set in ancient Egypt.
Her most recent book is The Angry Earth, an adult story of the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811.
Her most recent book is The Angry Earth, an adult story of the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 16, 2011
Sally Watson is on a quest to have her books brought out from the dust and back into the hands of young readers. Check out her website to learn more and be sure to read her bio. She’s badass.
Fourteen year old Linnet decides she’s had enough of her boring, upper-class life so she sets off to London to find family she’s never met so she can be presented to Queen Elizabeth herself.
Clearly it’s not a well thought out plan.
She doesn’t get far before her heels blister and she meets Sir Colin Collyngewood who ever so graciously offers her a ride the rest of the way to London. As he calmly present her with the facts of her ill-planned adventure, she is forced to admit she is in need of aid.
Unfortunately she doesn’t listen to him when he tells her he’s a liar and a rogue. She find herself in an Oliver Twist den of pickpockets and beggars while “Sir Colin” decides best how to use her.
There are plots to overthrow the Queen after all, and she could come in useful there, or perhaps he could hold her for ransom. In the meantime, she’s forced to live with the filthy poor and lower herself to breathe the same air.
Linnet is an interesting character. For most of the book I found myself rolling my eyes at how unbelievably stupid she was and yet I still liked her. I kept wondering why she hadn’t had her throat slit by the end of the first chapter, but of course Watson had much better plans for her. Linnet’s transition is slow, but it happens. You know it’s going to happen, but it’s still satisfying. Watson carefully creates a running monologue for Linnet as she is suddenly thrust into a world she knows nothing about. Although she’s always thought she’s made her own decisions, she realizes her entire life has been based on the small reality of her upper-class existence.
Watson’s books can be a challenge to find at the library, but I recommend hunting for them or buying a copy. I hope her girls make their way back into bookshelves. Anyone who is a fan of Anne of Green Gables would enjoy this.
Fourteen year old Linnet decides she’s had enough of her boring, upper-class life so she sets off to London to find family she’s never met so she can be presented to Queen Elizabeth herself.
Clearly it’s not a well thought out plan.
She doesn’t get far before her heels blister and she meets Sir Colin Collyngewood who ever so graciously offers her a ride the rest of the way to London. As he calmly present her with the facts of her ill-planned adventure, she is forced to admit she is in need of aid.
Unfortunately she doesn’t listen to him when he tells her he’s a liar and a rogue. She find herself in an Oliver Twist den of pickpockets and beggars while “Sir Colin” decides best how to use her.
There are plots to overthrow the Queen after all, and she could come in useful there, or perhaps he could hold her for ransom. In the meantime, she’s forced to live with the filthy poor and lower herself to breathe the same air.
Linnet is an interesting character. For most of the book I found myself rolling my eyes at how unbelievably stupid she was and yet I still liked her. I kept wondering why she hadn’t had her throat slit by the end of the first chapter, but of course Watson had much better plans for her. Linnet’s transition is slow, but it happens. You know it’s going to happen, but it’s still satisfying. Watson carefully creates a running monologue for Linnet as she is suddenly thrust into a world she knows nothing about. Although she’s always thought she’s made her own decisions, she realizes her entire life has been based on the small reality of her upper-class existence.
Watson’s books can be a challenge to find at the library, but I recommend hunting for them or buying a copy. I hope her girls make their way back into bookshelves. Anyone who is a fan of Anne of Green Gables would enjoy this.
October 27, 2009
I don't know how I escaped reading Sally Watson's books back in the early 1970s. I devoured all British historical fiction at that time. I guess my library didn't have her books.
Now having "discovered" her books, I am now one of Sally Watson's biggest fans.
Several of her books must be read as a series, as they deal with members of the same family (Lark, Jade, Highland Rebel, etc.). But Linnet is a stand-alone read. It takes place in Elizabethan England and deals with one of the many plots to overthrow this monarch.
Of course, there is a headstrong young heroine, Linnet, who makes it her mission to foil this plot. She quickly falls prey to a shady character, but luckily for her, her best friend Giles has her back.
I enjoyed how Ms. Watson began the action immediately in the first chapter. Background material was woven seamlessly into the story. She is a master at "show, not tell," in bringing historical events into context, without lecturing the reader, or rewriting a history book. I also loved the friendship (not romantic) between Linnet and Giles. So many teens are "just friends," and it's nice to see a book acknowledge that girls and boys can have that sort of relationship.
Now having "discovered" her books, I am now one of Sally Watson's biggest fans.
Several of her books must be read as a series, as they deal with members of the same family (Lark, Jade, Highland Rebel, etc.). But Linnet is a stand-alone read. It takes place in Elizabethan England and deals with one of the many plots to overthrow this monarch.
Of course, there is a headstrong young heroine, Linnet, who makes it her mission to foil this plot. She quickly falls prey to a shady character, but luckily for her, her best friend Giles has her back.
I enjoyed how Ms. Watson began the action immediately in the first chapter. Background material was woven seamlessly into the story. She is a master at "show, not tell," in bringing historical events into context, without lecturing the reader, or rewriting a history book. I also loved the friendship (not romantic) between Linnet and Giles. So many teens are "just friends," and it's nice to see a book acknowledge that girls and boys can have that sort of relationship.
August 19, 2016
I suppose this might go YA these days, but I would still vote for it being considered J. Other than Linnet being age 14, there is nothing that feels YA. Linnet is a typical sort of character for Sally Watson, as I recall. I believe I read this as a kid, but luckily, even though it felt familiar, I could not remember anything to spoil any scenes so had the fun of reading it again, essentially for the first time. Linnet feels much younger than her official age of 14. She is incredibly naive and innocent, in a way that I suspect youth today would find unacceptably young. Certainly as an adult, I wanted to shake her into some realization that she is just plain being stupid in dealing with her situation. Linnet decides on the spur of the moment to run away to London from the countryside. Her closest friend, Giles is convinced that is what she has done but can't convince anyone of that. Nonetheless he gets permission from his parents to go after her. However, by the time he does, she has already met Sir Colin Collyngewood and her fate is settled then. Or is it? Linnet turns out to surprise everyone, especially herself with how she copes with the situation. Was this Colley's smartest or dumbest action? Recommended as historical fiction for kids about Elizabethan England. I'd love to see this back in print, although if I could only chose one by this author to republish, To Build a Land would win hands down.
August 25, 2007
This is not a review - this is the inside jacket blurb that whoever addedd this to the database decided to omit.
Linnet, an upper-class young lady of fourteen, ran away to seek adventure in the heart of London. Along the way she met Sir Colin Collyngewood, a gentleman, and accepted the ride he so kindly offered her.
That was her first mistake. Her second was accepting his hospitality. She found herself in the dingy, rat-infested quarters of Nether House - Sir Colin's school for training cutpurses and pickpockets - and she discovered he was really Colley, king of the underworld in sixteenth-century London. She also met the students of the school - a grubby group known as the flock. But Colley had a particular use for Linnet in his own version of the Papist plot to overthrow Queen Elizabeth - until his useful tool began to turn into a double-edged sword!
Sally Watson has created a fascinating and intriguing book, based on an actual historical plot.
Linnet, an upper-class young lady of fourteen, ran away to seek adventure in the heart of London. Along the way she met Sir Colin Collyngewood, a gentleman, and accepted the ride he so kindly offered her.
That was her first mistake. Her second was accepting his hospitality. She found herself in the dingy, rat-infested quarters of Nether House - Sir Colin's school for training cutpurses and pickpockets - and she discovered he was really Colley, king of the underworld in sixteenth-century London. She also met the students of the school - a grubby group known as the flock. But Colley had a particular use for Linnet in his own version of the Papist plot to overthrow Queen Elizabeth - until his useful tool began to turn into a double-edged sword!
Sally Watson has created a fascinating and intriguing book, based on an actual historical plot.
March 16, 2012
Pretty decent little read for a younger audience. The prose was genuinely clever at times and I felt like Sally Watson really did her homework. Some of the story is predictable and a little corny (especially the first chapter). I felt like it took a long time to develop the actions of the characters. It really got going near the end while the beginning and middle were spent on introducing characters and just bumming around Elizabethan London. Needless to say, I know of many young gals who would love this book on a rainy afternoon regardless of small plot predictions and campy wording.
December 21, 2025
this is an entirely different vibe from the other family tree books but i enjoyed it very much (unrelated to the families/no romance). Colley is SUCH a character and Linnet getting over herself and Giles pulling up to the function LOL. very much Sally Watson levels of Reform(tm) in the historical past and I think probably the best of the lot to discuss w/o wild half-magical plots in the mix. of course it is a Plot Against Queen Bess but I was genuinely fascinated by Colley and Linnet facing down amidst the Flock and it is pure adventure and intrigue so thumbsup. love the Flock.
Watson's cats are always ridiculous I love you Persephone
Watson's cats are always ridiculous I love you Persephone
July 12, 2022
Random book to read but it was fun and very.... innocent (in an old school 1950s way). I liked the bad guy, he was the best part. Pretty simple story and completely unbelievable, but would be great for a 4th grader. Or a bored 40 yr old.
June 29, 2018
A perfect romp in 17th century England where the heroine runs away and joins a street gang...which will never be the same again. Lovely introduction to a slice of history.
June 17, 2013
Linnet is one of my favorite books. I think the brilliance of this book lies not so much in the plot or the events (although those are certainly interesting) but in the characterization.
Sally Watson does an amazing job of developing some very memorable and vivid characters in Linnet. She makes her readers truly understand Linnet's overly naive and trusting nature, but also her intelligence and determination.
She wonderfully developed Colley's lovable side as well as his wicked side. And Peace and Nan--both with so many feelings and abilities that had been so neglected through their desperately deprived lives.
And the other interesting characters in this story--Giles, the black kitten, the other members of the "Flock"--I enjoyed them all.
All the characters in this wonderful story became so real to me, I think I would know them if I saw them on the street!
Some readers may feel that Linnet's and Giles's enthusiasm about improving the lives of London's homeless children was too modern for the 1500's--and maybe it was for most people then. But Linnet was clearly not like "most people."
And Linnet had an opportunity to see the terrible living conditions and get to know some of London's homeless children in a way that few wealthy people of that day ever could. And maybe she and Giles never could have really gotten much improvement done, but surely there were people even then who at least dreamed of something better someday for orphaned children.
All in all, this is a story well-worth reading for any age. It is unforgettable!
Sally Watson does an amazing job of developing some very memorable and vivid characters in Linnet. She makes her readers truly understand Linnet's overly naive and trusting nature, but also her intelligence and determination.
She wonderfully developed Colley's lovable side as well as his wicked side. And Peace and Nan--both with so many feelings and abilities that had been so neglected through their desperately deprived lives.
And the other interesting characters in this story--Giles, the black kitten, the other members of the "Flock"--I enjoyed them all.
All the characters in this wonderful story became so real to me, I think I would know them if I saw them on the street!
Some readers may feel that Linnet's and Giles's enthusiasm about improving the lives of London's homeless children was too modern for the 1500's--and maybe it was for most people then. But Linnet was clearly not like "most people."
And Linnet had an opportunity to see the terrible living conditions and get to know some of London's homeless children in a way that few wealthy people of that day ever could. And maybe she and Giles never could have really gotten much improvement done, but surely there were people even then who at least dreamed of something better someday for orphaned children.
All in all, this is a story well-worth reading for any age. It is unforgettable!
March 15, 2010
It´s a simple book that´s quite predictable most times and easy to read, Iñm now re-reading it just as light reading and it´s very entertaining. Personally, I really like the thieve´s cant Watson writes... It´s quite interesting.
The opinions the characters have, though, are quite from the 20th century and not the 16th, seeing as two of the main characters decide that social class unjustices should be changed and there´s no way that they actually felt that, instead of looking down on rogues as scum..
The opinions the characters have, though, are quite from the 20th century and not the 16th, seeing as two of the main characters decide that social class unjustices should be changed and there´s no way that they actually felt that, instead of looking down on rogues as scum..
January 28, 2013
cool!! I found this book while looking for another (this wasn't it... and I have since found "it") and I read this on account of Nadine's comment. I liked it! I would recommend this book for all young ladies out there. It's a little bit history (Mary Queen of Scots vs the Virgin Queen) and a little bit of sociology and a bit of cross-cultural commentary on society....
I wish I could write an epilogue - how Linnet brought everyone home to her house and educated them and taught them manners and the skills they'd need to exist it the higher levels of society.
I wish I could write an epilogue - how Linnet brought everyone home to her house and educated them and taught them manners and the skills they'd need to exist it the higher levels of society.
December 14, 2012
I read this book and LOVED it as a kid!!!!! I never forgot about it, but I never knew the author, nor did I know that it might still be available, NOR did I ever stop to think that there might be a series (if I read Lark & Jade, I don't remember them - I only remember Linnet. Such an unusual name, and as a kid I'd never heard of a linnet, so I didn't know how to pronounce it: LYN-it or lyn-AY :-)
just guessing at the year I read it ...
just guessing at the year I read it ...
May 16, 2014
I thought it was a fun and well-told story, but I couldn't like it more because the main character was soooo dumb until the very end when she smartened up a bit. When I don't have respect for the main character, it's very hard to love a book. I'm still going to search out and read as many more Sally Watson books as I can, because I really enjoy her style so much.
July 21, 2015
Love this- not sure if I had read it before, reading it with my daughter has been so interesting. I highly recommend this author's work for anyone and especially middle school girls.
Update - re-read it with middle school age son.
Update - re-read it with middle school age son.
August 26, 2013
Cute children's novel that takes place in Elizabethan England. Fun read that I would have adored as a child. I'm looking forward to reading more by Sally Watson. If I can find any :)
January 20, 2015
I reread this every year. I think I have since I was ten. It's the reason I fell in love with history.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews