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My Story: Girls
To Kill a Queen: An Elizabethan Girl's Diary 1583 -1586
This is the diary of 12-year-old Kitty Lumsden, the daughter of Bloody Tower diarist, Tilly Middleton, who now lives with her family near the Thames, not far from her old Tower home. The drama is set against the historical backdrop of the Babington plot to end Elizabeth's life and put Mary Queen of Scots on the throne. But far from being innocent bystanders, the Lumsden family becomes intricately involved in a mass of secrets and spies...
192 pages, Paperback
First published December 12, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
January 18, 2016
Sadly, I had not read this in the order I was supposed to. I don't know that it would have made a difference, but I would've definitely enjoyed it more I believe. I read To Kill A Queen before its prequel, Bloody Tower, and I had no idea that the two were related in any way. Bloody Tower talks about Tilly Middleton, whose family lives in the Tower of London where most executions take place (hence named the Bloody Tower), and To Kill A Queen talks about Tilly Middleton's daughter Kitty Lumsden, whose family has now moved near the Thames.
Kitty's mom gets a diary every year from the Queen herself, and she never understood why (neither have I to be honest, until having read Bloody Tower, in which it all made sense then). Kitty decides to keep a diary herself, in which she writes the going on of the tower, and her family's activities around her. Kitty is especially worried about her brother Joseph who gets involved with a group of boys who seem to be plotting against the Queen.
This story is set in the late 1500's when Mary Queen of Scots was held captive by Queen Elizabeth to protect herself from being assassinated to put Mary on the throne. Very interesting part of history, and I enjoyed reading it as well as diving into the Lumsden family drama.
Kitty's mom gets a diary every year from the Queen herself, and she never understood why (neither have I to be honest, until having read Bloody Tower, in which it all made sense then). Kitty decides to keep a diary herself, in which she writes the going on of the tower, and her family's activities around her. Kitty is especially worried about her brother Joseph who gets involved with a group of boys who seem to be plotting against the Queen.
This story is set in the late 1500's when Mary Queen of Scots was held captive by Queen Elizabeth to protect herself from being assassinated to put Mary on the throne. Very interesting part of history, and I enjoyed reading it as well as diving into the Lumsden family drama.
December 19, 2011
“Joseph,“ I ran after him and grabbed his arm. “Don’t they’re the plotters!” Young Catherine Anne Lumsden says this as she tries to keep her older brother Joseph from warning one of the plotters that he is being watched by Sir Frances Walsingham [Queen Elizabeth’s Secretary of State]. Why is Joseph trying to protect one of the plotters who wants to kill Queen Elizabeth and place Mary Queen of Scots on the throne? Well, you’ll have to read this amazing book To Kill a Queen by Valerie Wilding to find out what’s going on with Catherine Anne Lumsden, known as Kitty , and her family.
The characters are extremely amazing because everyday with Kitty and her family brings something new! If I were to rate this book out of 5, I would give it a four because the book is so interesting because the characters are so real. The book was touching and scary at points, suspenseful, and had some historical facts to match the historical setting of the book. I loved the talk about the executions because at those points of the book that was where a lot of the action was and I enjoy action. The book lacked a little bit of action at some points I think but I like a lot of action in the books that I read. I liked the part in the book when Kitty sneaks off to see a play with her best friend and cousin Edmund. I do not like the part of the book where Edmunds sister finds out and gets them into trouble.
If you like a good book that has action, emotion, empathy and a little bit of betrayal then this book is for you!
The characters are extremely amazing because everyday with Kitty and her family brings something new! If I were to rate this book out of 5, I would give it a four because the book is so interesting because the characters are so real. The book was touching and scary at points, suspenseful, and had some historical facts to match the historical setting of the book. I loved the talk about the executions because at those points of the book that was where a lot of the action was and I enjoy action. The book lacked a little bit of action at some points I think but I like a lot of action in the books that I read. I liked the part in the book when Kitty sneaks off to see a play with her best friend and cousin Edmund. I do not like the part of the book where Edmunds sister finds out and gets them into trouble.
If you like a good book that has action, emotion, empathy and a little bit of betrayal then this book is for you!
December 2, 2011
How would you feel if people were trying to kill you queen? How would you feel if Mary Queen of Scots was put back on the throne and if you weren’t Catholic you would be killed? I read the book called To Kill a Queen, by Valerie Wilding.
To Kill a Queen was about two queens, Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth 1st and their problems in London, England. In London Sir Anthony Babington and his five friends plotted to kill Queen Elizabeth and they were killed! Another character named Kitty (short for Catherine) worries that Mary Queen of Scots will be put back on the throne and everyone will be thrown into the tower! While Kitty is writing about her worries in her diary, Sir Francis and Kitty’s dad are going out of there way to keep the queen safe!
If you like drama, action, a book you just can’t put it down, then this is the book for you! The “My Story” series is really awesome! Valerie Wilding is a terrific author! I loved how much detail she gave on the whole book! Although Valerie gave so many details on the executions, I’m not really into blood and killing people, but maybe you are! Even though I loved this book I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone under the age of nine because it is a little violent and pretty mature. I would rate this book a 5/5 because this is the best book I have ever read so far and I just couldn’t put it down!
To Kill a Queen was about two queens, Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth 1st and their problems in London, England. In London Sir Anthony Babington and his five friends plotted to kill Queen Elizabeth and they were killed! Another character named Kitty (short for Catherine) worries that Mary Queen of Scots will be put back on the throne and everyone will be thrown into the tower! While Kitty is writing about her worries in her diary, Sir Francis and Kitty’s dad are going out of there way to keep the queen safe!
If you like drama, action, a book you just can’t put it down, then this is the book for you! The “My Story” series is really awesome! Valerie Wilding is a terrific author! I loved how much detail she gave on the whole book! Although Valerie gave so many details on the executions, I’m not really into blood and killing people, but maybe you are! Even though I loved this book I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone under the age of nine because it is a little violent and pretty mature. I would rate this book a 5/5 because this is the best book I have ever read so far and I just couldn’t put it down!
December 31, 2021
This book was brilliant!! It was about a girl called Kitty who lives in England in Elizabethan times.
Her brother has made friends with a group of strangers who end up being criminals that want to kill Queen Elizabeth 1!
Kitty’s father works for the Queen and is working on a secret plan to save her from being murdered!
However, all Kitty wants to do is spend time with her cousin Edmund but his sister Kathryn, won’t leave them alone. They eventually end up writing to each other in code but Kathryn figures that out to!
This was a brilliant book and I would recommend it to all!
Her brother has made friends with a group of strangers who end up being criminals that want to kill Queen Elizabeth 1!
Kitty’s father works for the Queen and is working on a secret plan to save her from being murdered!
However, all Kitty wants to do is spend time with her cousin Edmund but his sister Kathryn, won’t leave them alone. They eventually end up writing to each other in code but Kathryn figures that out to!
This was a brilliant book and I would recommend it to all!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2011
This is another great My Story book. I like how Kitty's mom is Tilly from "The Bloody Tower". It was nice to know Tilly's life after the book, even though they didn't really focus on her. Very well done.
June 1, 2025
Rating: 3.5 stars
I got a very nice little surprise a few pages into this when I realised it's a sequel to one of the first 'My Story' books I ever read: 'Bloody Tower'. So after a very quick refresher on the last few pages of that one, I was very quickly absorbed into the story. This diary belongs to Kitty Lumsden, the daughter of the protagonist of 'Bloody Tower', and it was really enjoyable to see how the author had matured the original characters and their relationships. Plus, it's a great hook into the premise of this story!
Unlike the previous two of these I've read, this one is part of the 'original' series, where the author of the diary is a normal girl. As a result, it did take me a second to remind myself that our main character was not going to be in the thick of political intrigue. However, the author does a great job at balancing the representation of a normal girl of the Elizabethan era with bringing her into close enough proximity to a real historical event. Kitty's utilising of codes and ciphers to communicate with her cousin after hearing about Mary Queen of Scots' methods of sending messages is really sweet, and how's this for being a total nerd, it reminded me of myself as I did the same thing at school when I first learned about it! 🤣
Her relationship with her brother Joseph and her cousin/best friend, Edmund, is really cute throughout. I particularly liked that Joseph is almost idolised by her, even while she admits he is too trusting, and reading between the lines ot seemed that he might be representing some kind of cognative difference? In any event, it was beautifully handled. I wasn't as convinced by the character of Kitty's female cousin, Kathryn, though. Again, she reminds me of me, a stickler for the rules and generally a bit of a party-pooper, but there seemed to be no real explanation for the extremity of her character flaws. Even her own parents seem to despair of her, and ultimately she came across as something of a Puritan. Part of me wondered if she was perhaps being set up as another link in the chain, with her descendants' story perhaps being told in another instalment set during the Interregnum. Otherwise, it just seemed a bit of an odd choice and it didn't gel well with the rest of the story.
I enjoyed the premise generally, with Joseph being the linking point to the true historical event of the Babington plot. It was very cleverly tied in and interesting to look at the event from an alternative point of view. I also felt that Kitty and her family's reactions to the drama were well portrayed, particularly when it came to the grizzly business of executions. I found it refreshing that there was no sense of a 21st century morality being forced onto the characters, even given they are children; they want to go to see the events, and see it as entertainment as people did during that era. But likewise it's acknowledged that even they have lines in the sand and know when things go too far.
I think that the main issue with this was the pacing towards the end. Things were trundling along quite nicely, but then it all gets wound up seemingly in the abstract, with very little information or detail. It felt to me like a better ending would have been for Kitty's father to have been present at the execution of Mary Queen of Scots, and then for Kitty to relay his telling of the tale in her diary. As it is, it feels like we don't proper closure for her as a character, or for the story itself.
Overall, very enjoyable!
I got a very nice little surprise a few pages into this when I realised it's a sequel to one of the first 'My Story' books I ever read: 'Bloody Tower'. So after a very quick refresher on the last few pages of that one, I was very quickly absorbed into the story. This diary belongs to Kitty Lumsden, the daughter of the protagonist of 'Bloody Tower', and it was really enjoyable to see how the author had matured the original characters and their relationships. Plus, it's a great hook into the premise of this story!
Unlike the previous two of these I've read, this one is part of the 'original' series, where the author of the diary is a normal girl. As a result, it did take me a second to remind myself that our main character was not going to be in the thick of political intrigue. However, the author does a great job at balancing the representation of a normal girl of the Elizabethan era with bringing her into close enough proximity to a real historical event. Kitty's utilising of codes and ciphers to communicate with her cousin after hearing about Mary Queen of Scots' methods of sending messages is really sweet, and how's this for being a total nerd, it reminded me of myself as I did the same thing at school when I first learned about it! 🤣
Her relationship with her brother Joseph and her cousin/best friend, Edmund, is really cute throughout. I particularly liked that Joseph is almost idolised by her, even while she admits he is too trusting, and reading between the lines ot seemed that he might be representing some kind of cognative difference? In any event, it was beautifully handled. I wasn't as convinced by the character of Kitty's female cousin, Kathryn, though. Again, she reminds me of me, a stickler for the rules and generally a bit of a party-pooper, but there seemed to be no real explanation for the extremity of her character flaws. Even her own parents seem to despair of her, and ultimately she came across as something of a Puritan. Part of me wondered if she was perhaps being set up as another link in the chain, with her descendants' story perhaps being told in another instalment set during the Interregnum. Otherwise, it just seemed a bit of an odd choice and it didn't gel well with the rest of the story.
I enjoyed the premise generally, with Joseph being the linking point to the true historical event of the Babington plot. It was very cleverly tied in and interesting to look at the event from an alternative point of view. I also felt that Kitty and her family's reactions to the drama were well portrayed, particularly when it came to the grizzly business of executions. I found it refreshing that there was no sense of a 21st century morality being forced onto the characters, even given they are children; they want to go to see the events, and see it as entertainment as people did during that era. But likewise it's acknowledged that even they have lines in the sand and know when things go too far.
I think that the main issue with this was the pacing towards the end. Things were trundling along quite nicely, but then it all gets wound up seemingly in the abstract, with very little information or detail. It felt to me like a better ending would have been for Kitty's father to have been present at the execution of Mary Queen of Scots, and then for Kitty to relay his telling of the tale in her diary. As it is, it feels like we don't proper closure for her as a character, or for the story itself.
Overall, very enjoyable!
August 24, 2020
To Kill A Queen
Thoughts:
Tilly Middletown’s daughters journey. I know this book came first however I am glad I read Bloody Tower first as it made me connect to it right away.
Synopsis:
Kitty is given a diary by her mother and we learn that there is a plot against the English Queen. How the Queen of Scotland is imprisoned in lovely houses all over England. Kitty’s father is away and her brother Jospeh is hanging out with Sir Anthony.
Kitty’s cousins live in the tower with her uncle and she herself feels like her life is boring. Kitty gets to know Anthony more and spends time winning her over. She discovers that he is Catholic. His friends are shy and her father is away in secret missions.
Kathryn clings to Kitty’s brother Joseph when they see the execution of the man who plotted to kill the Queen. She talks about spending time with Edmund and even about hating her cousin.
Kathryn is told of her aunt not needing her any more and she is back to normal. This bothers Kitty. She clings to Sir Anthony and appears to have a passion for him. Kathryn seems to get on Kitty’s nerves as she fears more retaliation for the Catholic’s killed in relation to plots against the Queen.
Kathryn clings to Edmund and Kitty. They get news her father is returning. Kitty is excited and is woken by him. They head to Winchester for nine weeks.
Upon returning Kitty studies with Edmund to improve their French and Latin. Really this is a time for them to talk. They grow close. They hate Kathryn always lurking over them. Kitty grows concerned about her brothers studies and gets Richard to aid her in coded messages after getting caught at the theatre with Edmund by Kathryn who tells on both of them.
Kitty is given two scoldings (vernal) and two weeks confined to her chambers with only her mother, prayer book and Dot as visitors. It’s a long two weeks for Kitty without her journal.
Kitty is horrified when she discovers that there is more spies in England. She starts to fear for her brothers safety as he mingled with Catholic’s and those who could cause him to fall into a plot of treason.
She attends her father who is suffering from a broken ankle and leg. She feels guilty about causing it.
Her Father and Sir Francis go in the hunt for those responsible for the plot against the Queen. This leads to Joseph getting dragged into his fathers study and makes him tell him who the other conspirators are.
Joseph reluctantly tells them and they are arrest, Mary Queen of Scots taken into tighter custody and she faces treason. It all seems to be coming to an end.
The conspirators are all killed and Mary Stuart found guilty. They are taken to Sir Francis home where they are given tokens of loyalty by the Queen. Each one more important than the last. Kitty runs out of room in her diary so it ends there.
Thoughts:
Tilly Middletown’s daughters journey. I know this book came first however I am glad I read Bloody Tower first as it made me connect to it right away.
Synopsis:
Kitty is given a diary by her mother and we learn that there is a plot against the English Queen. How the Queen of Scotland is imprisoned in lovely houses all over England. Kitty’s father is away and her brother Jospeh is hanging out with Sir Anthony.
Kitty’s cousins live in the tower with her uncle and she herself feels like her life is boring. Kitty gets to know Anthony more and spends time winning her over. She discovers that he is Catholic. His friends are shy and her father is away in secret missions.
Kathryn clings to Kitty’s brother Joseph when they see the execution of the man who plotted to kill the Queen. She talks about spending time with Edmund and even about hating her cousin.
Kathryn is told of her aunt not needing her any more and she is back to normal. This bothers Kitty. She clings to Sir Anthony and appears to have a passion for him. Kathryn seems to get on Kitty’s nerves as she fears more retaliation for the Catholic’s killed in relation to plots against the Queen.
Kathryn clings to Edmund and Kitty. They get news her father is returning. Kitty is excited and is woken by him. They head to Winchester for nine weeks.
Upon returning Kitty studies with Edmund to improve their French and Latin. Really this is a time for them to talk. They grow close. They hate Kathryn always lurking over them. Kitty grows concerned about her brothers studies and gets Richard to aid her in coded messages after getting caught at the theatre with Edmund by Kathryn who tells on both of them.
Kitty is given two scoldings (vernal) and two weeks confined to her chambers with only her mother, prayer book and Dot as visitors. It’s a long two weeks for Kitty without her journal.
Kitty is horrified when she discovers that there is more spies in England. She starts to fear for her brothers safety as he mingled with Catholic’s and those who could cause him to fall into a plot of treason.
She attends her father who is suffering from a broken ankle and leg. She feels guilty about causing it.
Her Father and Sir Francis go in the hunt for those responsible for the plot against the Queen. This leads to Joseph getting dragged into his fathers study and makes him tell him who the other conspirators are.
Joseph reluctantly tells them and they are arrest, Mary Queen of Scots taken into tighter custody and she faces treason. It all seems to be coming to an end.
The conspirators are all killed and Mary Stuart found guilty. They are taken to Sir Francis home where they are given tokens of loyalty by the Queen. Each one more important than the last. Kitty runs out of room in her diary so it ends there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2017
I read To Kill a Queen by Valerie Wilding. This book is fiction, as well as being realistic fiction. I read this book because I like reading books with themes from long ago. This book takes place in England of 1583. The main character's name is Kitty, and her challenge is living in a part of time where it is very dangerous for her due to spies wanting to kill the queen to make England Catholic again. The story made me feel very, well, bored. There wasn't much action, at least not enough for me. The characters seemed WAY too realistic for me, which is another reason I don't really like this book. The recommended reading age I'd give this book is 14+ due to the realistic themes. I see this as more of an educational book that can give an idea of what it was like back then for people like Kitty.
August 26, 2025
Kitty decides to follow the family tradition and keep a diary. Her mother has a connection with the Queen and now the family find themselves involved in a traitorous plot...
To Kill A Queen is a sequel to Bloody Tower with this diary being kept by the daughter of the original diarist.
Queen Elizabeth remembers the kindness of Tilly, Kitty's mother. The plot in this book focuses on Mary Queen of Scots and the Catholic plots to assassinate Elizabeth. I thought that the historical elements to the plot were particularly strong and enjoyed the fictional angle taken.
This is a children's book in a diary format so the language and tone are quite simplistic. Kitty has a childish focus on her cousin which echoes the obsessional relationship between the Queens of England and Scotland.
To Kill A Queen is a well researched and interesting introduction to the Tudors.
To Kill A Queen is a sequel to Bloody Tower with this diary being kept by the daughter of the original diarist.
Queen Elizabeth remembers the kindness of Tilly, Kitty's mother. The plot in this book focuses on Mary Queen of Scots and the Catholic plots to assassinate Elizabeth. I thought that the historical elements to the plot were particularly strong and enjoyed the fictional angle taken.
This is a children's book in a diary format so the language and tone are quite simplistic. Kitty has a childish focus on her cousin which echoes the obsessional relationship between the Queens of England and Scotland.
To Kill A Queen is a well researched and interesting introduction to the Tudors.
June 18, 2022
was a kid when i read (?) this book so I have no clue what happened, however by the amount of pages I guessed it wasnt great cause it took me way too long to get through and Im not even sure I did ever finish this one but until I feel like re-reading this, I'll consider it read.
September 10, 2022
Kitty is not the brightest person all the time and like her mother Tilly from Bloody Tower, can be hot-headed. The timeline at the end was repetitive of previous books in the series, but at least it was made more unique by including the life of Mary, Queen of Scots.
August 4, 2017
I like stories about the Tudors so this was really good
April 28, 2018
*thumbs up*
December 14, 2018
I believe this is a teenager novel. However this the second one I’ve read and I’ve enjoyed them book I will look to read more. I like the ‘diarised’ writing.
October 30, 2019
im a book nerd yay yay you you
November 21, 2022
great book to enjoy reading
About Tilly family and high end. To help keep the queen alive and decipher mary scot letters. To ensure queen Elizabeth wouldn’t get killed.
About Tilly family and high end. To help keep the queen alive and decipher mary scot letters. To ensure queen Elizabeth wouldn’t get killed.
March 16, 2017
I thought it was a fun and interesting read. I liked reading about what life was like during that time from a young persons perspective.
March 28, 2021
4 stars: Good
I haven’t read Bloody Towers yet but I cont wait to read it. This book is so action packed, you can’t get bored. The book does get slightly confusing at times.
I haven’t read Bloody Towers yet but I cont wait to read it. This book is so action packed, you can’t get bored. The book does get slightly confusing at times.
August 18, 2023
pretty good
January 26, 2014
This is a cute story told in the form of a young girl's diary. It takes place over three years in England at a time when Queen Elizabeth I was in power and Mary Queen of Scots was her captive. The narrator, Kitty, has family members that are right in the heart of things so she is easily able to hear the latest gossip of Mary's lifestyle and relocations and of any of the plots that are in the works to free her from her captivity, as well as to kill Queen Elizabeth and place Mary on the throne. This is the time in England's history where the Protestants and Catholics are battling over which religion England as a country should follow.
I found that it was hard to get used to the diary entry style at first. I found it choppy and the entries weren't always as descriptive as I would hope for (as is to be expected for a child's diary I suppose). Also I found her repetitive annoyance with her cousin as a bit much, also it seemed very trivial and a filler when nothing else was happening that "day".
Also although this book is part of a series of girl's diaries that I assumed were individual stories by themselves, this book read almost like a sequel. It alluded to events and information that wasn't included in this diary but also not explained enough as would be expected for a referral to events new to the reader in the main character's past. In reading the advertisement and synopsis of another book of this series/group of books at the back of this book, it would seem The Bloody Tower by the same author may include the missing details as it is written as the childhood diary of Kitty's mother, Matilda (Tilly). So I guess I'll have to get my hands on that book if I am really curious to fill in the blanks this book has left me with.
I found that it was hard to get used to the diary entry style at first. I found it choppy and the entries weren't always as descriptive as I would hope for (as is to be expected for a child's diary I suppose). Also I found her repetitive annoyance with her cousin as a bit much, also it seemed very trivial and a filler when nothing else was happening that "day".
Also although this book is part of a series of girl's diaries that I assumed were individual stories by themselves, this book read almost like a sequel. It alluded to events and information that wasn't included in this diary but also not explained enough as would be expected for a referral to events new to the reader in the main character's past. In reading the advertisement and synopsis of another book of this series/group of books at the back of this book, it would seem The Bloody Tower by the same author may include the missing details as it is written as the childhood diary of Kitty's mother, Matilda (Tilly). So I guess I'll have to get my hands on that book if I am really curious to fill in the blanks this book has left me with.
February 19, 2017
This book was hard for me to read, because I often was confused and didn't know what was happening. I read this book twice and might even read it a third time, but it never made sense to me! I might read it when I'm a little older so my brain can comprehend the more difficult words.
November 26, 2013
This historical fiction is set in a time when Elizabeth I, daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, was Queen and is written in the form of a diary from the perspective of 12-year-old Katherine Lumsden. Known as Kitty to her friends and family, she learns quickly where her loyalty lies as her father is in service to the Queen and on a special mission to help find and bring to justice those that would have the Queen assassinated and replace her with her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots. She makes friends with Sir Anthony after he saves her dog, and who is later executed for his part in the plot to oust Queen Elizabeth. She becomes concerned with her brother who is going to school to become a lawyer, but instead spends too much time with questionable friends and she finds herself feeling sorry for Mary Queen of Scots as she learns how isolated she is being made to live. Kitty also spends a lot of time running around with her cousin Edmund in places where they are not supposed to be and listening in on conversations not intended for her ears.
This is part of the "My Story" series which can make learning about history both entertaining and educational. The story has good character development, and an abundance of historical facts relayed from the point of view of a twelve year old to engage its intended audience. As well the author gives her protagonist a nemesis in the form of Edmund’s sister Katherine, which adds a bit of humour to a somewhat grisly subject matter, especially some of the scenes that include graphic executions. Overall a very enjoyable read.
This is part of the "My Story" series which can make learning about history both entertaining and educational. The story has good character development, and an abundance of historical facts relayed from the point of view of a twelve year old to engage its intended audience. As well the author gives her protagonist a nemesis in the form of Edmund’s sister Katherine, which adds a bit of humour to a somewhat grisly subject matter, especially some of the scenes that include graphic executions. Overall a very enjoyable read.
March 1, 2010
This book is one in the My Story series. The books in this series are fictional diaries of young girls living during different periods of British, Scottish, and Irish history.
Twelve-year-old Catherine Lumsden, called Kitty by her friends and family, is the daughter of Tilly Middleton, the main character from a previous My Story book by the author, "Bloody Tower." Having enjoyed keeping a diary at that age, Tilly gives her daughter a diary of her own to write in. It is November of 1583 in England, and Elizabeth I is queen. There are constant rumors going about of plots against the Queen by those who wish to put a Catholic monarch on the throne. Kitty is worried about the threat of foreign invasion, and suspecting that her father and brother may be spies charged with keeping the Queen safe, Kitty determines that she will find out the truth.
This book was an enjoyable way to learn about the history of the time and the plots against Queen Elizabeth I such as the Babington plot which is featured prominently in the book. The diary format was easy and enjoyable to read, and the many appearances by historical figures of the time were well-incorporated. I'd recommend this book to readers who enjoyed other books in the My Story series as well as to those who are interested in historical novels set in this time period.
Twelve-year-old Catherine Lumsden, called Kitty by her friends and family, is the daughter of Tilly Middleton, the main character from a previous My Story book by the author, "Bloody Tower." Having enjoyed keeping a diary at that age, Tilly gives her daughter a diary of her own to write in. It is November of 1583 in England, and Elizabeth I is queen. There are constant rumors going about of plots against the Queen by those who wish to put a Catholic monarch on the throne. Kitty is worried about the threat of foreign invasion, and suspecting that her father and brother may be spies charged with keeping the Queen safe, Kitty determines that she will find out the truth.
This book was an enjoyable way to learn about the history of the time and the plots against Queen Elizabeth I such as the Babington plot which is featured prominently in the book. The diary format was easy and enjoyable to read, and the many appearances by historical figures of the time were well-incorporated. I'd recommend this book to readers who enjoyed other books in the My Story series as well as to those who are interested in historical novels set in this time period.
December 2, 2011
“Take this book, only write in it when you wish.” That’s where it all started; Kitty was given a book by her mom, so she started writing in it all the time. Kitty’s brother Joseph is hanging out with strange characters, and she is a little worried. Her and her cousin Edmund are going places they are not supposed to but were getting away with it until Kitty’s cousin Kathryn and Edmunds sister caught them and they got in big trouble and Kathryn’s always in their business and follows them every where . Kitty’s father secretly works for the queen, and is gone lots but Kitty is used to it. This book is called To Kill a Queen by Valarie Wilding. I like this book because I love to read about Queens from long ago. I would rate this book 5 stars because it was very different and I like to read about different stuff all of the time. I would also love to read the rest of the series. If you like to read about Queens from long ago you will love this book too.
March 9, 2013
Catherine(Kitty) Anne Lumsden is the daughter of Matilda (Tilly) Middleton now Lady Matilda Lumsden. Kitty is a smart girl with a sweet older brother called Joseph.She has 4 brothers(including Joseph).The other 3 are called Richard(Joseph's older twin) and Harry and George the youngest brothers. the youngest out of the family is their sister Elizabeth (Beeba) Her cousin Edmund is her best friend and a likeable character. All her family are likeable characters except her cousin Kathryn who is very noisy and bossy. Her mum seems less harsh than her grandmother was to her mother when she was little. But her Aunt Frances is less harsher than her mother is to her than she is. Her Father is as well. Queen Elizabeth I's plot to assassinate her and instead put Mary Queen Of Scots on throne. Find out what Kitty writes down about this and her life in this brilliant book!
February 15, 2013
My story; To kill a Queen by Valerie Wilding. Imagine if you lived near the tower of london and heard inside details about the prisoners. Imagine if your family was sent to the tower of london.
As a young girl, this are things Kitty worries about.People are trying to get rid of Queen Elizabeth and put Mary, Queen of Scots in her place.What will happen to Queen Elizabeth? What will happen to Mary, Queen of Scots? Will Kitty's family get sent to the tower of london?
I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I didn't like the plot against the Queen. I did like the Mystery. I liked Kitty too. I think readers who like Mystery would like this book.
As a young girl, this are things Kitty worries about.People are trying to get rid of Queen Elizabeth and put Mary, Queen of Scots in her place.What will happen to Queen Elizabeth? What will happen to Mary, Queen of Scots? Will Kitty's family get sent to the tower of london?
I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I didn't like the plot against the Queen. I did like the Mystery. I liked Kitty too. I think readers who like Mystery would like this book.
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November 12, 2012This entire series is a wonderful way to learn history or teach it to adolescents. I find today's generations seem to recall more when they learn through other people (pop songs, celebrity gossip, etc.), so what better way to teach history than through someone else's perspective? Yes, "authentic" diaries would be "better", but would the language really hold the modern student's attention? Did the diary writer know what WOULD be important in the context of history? Probably not.
April 11, 2011
1583-1586, following plots to kill the Queen... not my favourite of the My Story series but still very interesting. The young girl, Kitty, was quite a fun narator - and ugh, her cousin Kathryn was so annoying! I liked the portrait the book painted of life at that time, even if a lot of it was rather gruesome. The historical detail was nice too, especially since beforehand I knew very little about the Mary, Queen of Scots/Queen Elizabeth/Protestant/Catholic stuff.
February 5, 2012
Ths book is about a girl called kitty daughter of Tilly Midleton the Bloody Tower diarist. This story is set in the time of the Babington plot. Kittys family is involved in the plot to kick off Elizabeth I and put on Mary Queen of Scots on the throne of England. All in the middle of this is poor kitty.
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