Lark

Family tree series #4

by Sally Watson

Lark, the daughter of Royalists exiled to France, runs away from home during Cromwell's reign, with the goal of helping Charles II.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Romance, Childrens

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

Watson 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.

Reviews

[Kate Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that hooked me for all time, at age 10 or so, on historical fiction. Age appropriate, witty, wonderful. Read to your pre-teen daughters!

[Maddy Barone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sally Watson has a deft hand with dialogue, description and character building. It's hard to pick a single title of Sally Watson's as my most favorite. But Lark is right up there. There are scenes that I adore to re-read. I love the character of Lark and James is a hoot. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am 63 and I read this book in grammar school. I never forgot it. I did not know who the author was, just the name of the book and the general storyline. Thanks to the internet I finally discovered who the author was and that her books have finally been reprinted. I can see why I liked it and remembered it. It had a strong female lead character in days when that wasn’t so common. It was a joy to reread it. I find that when you read a book that you read as a child and remembered it for years, it’s like rediscovering a part of yourself.

[Jack Baillot · Rating 5 out of 5]

To sum up Lark I shall use the following description....JAMES!!!!!!!!!!!
I love James, and Lark is a really fun character. She came close to driving me crazy sometimes, but I liked her too much to be annoyed with her. But James.....he was by far my favourite. Even if he drove me crazy sometimes too.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute children's book. I would have adored this when I was a kid. My only issue was Lark's age and I'm usually pretty good at ignoring stuff like that. But it didn't really affect my enjoyment of the story.

[Tricia Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with History reading this book.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm fairly sure that I read this as a child, but on rereading it, did not recall any of the story. Lark is the nickname of the heroine, Elizabeth Lennox. Two years earlier, when she was eleven, her Puritan uncle kidnapped her to raise as his son's future bride. Her parents and grandparents were not able to retrieve her since they had to escape to France, to avoid arrest (and worse!) by Cromwell's soldiers. But Lark has had enough of the repressed life her uncle expects her to live, and decides to run away to her sister Cecily, who lives in Scotland. Of course, she has no idea how far away Scotland is, only that it is to the north, and disregards the fact that two armies, Cromwell's and the Scots, led by young Charles II, are about to face one another. Luckily she falls in with James Trelawney, carrying a message for the king. As they adventure together, Lark faces some hard truths about herself as she begins to mature. Quite enjoyable, especially the glimpses of Lark's grandparents, the major players in Mistress Malapert.

Minor spoiler:

I felt that at thirteen Lark was too young for romance, but hopefully the marriage will be put off for a year or more!

[christine ✩ · Rating 4 out of 5]

OF COURSE Val and Nick's granddaughter is an absolutely diabolical menace to society. of COURSE. oh Val I love you

legitimately cackled my way through this book at like 1am last night guys I am fried. funny as all get out I fear... Lark and James my beloved lmaoo what a predicament. I DON'T like that Lark is 13 but I cannot lie she endeared herself to me very quickly just due to how utterly insane she was. James is fr a great character. major shoutout to his parents they are goated. Uncle Jeremiah when I catch youuu.
< girl who is still mildly clueless about the English Civil War

Warnings of Romani stereotyping. it's a shame the old hist fic novels all rely on some sort of vaguely mystical Romani plotline, though arguably this one is far less offensive than certain other books I have read this year. still not great--still heavily reflects the 1960s. booooo
'tis a shame we've let these books go out of print. maybe yeah not books people would put into elementary libraries now but they're genuinely SO funny and historically grounded and maybe I am just a silly goose but I do think they're age appropriate and smart and I would let my kid read this yk (

[Annie DeLallo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun and humorous book. I enjoyed every chapter. Lark is very strong and sassy and is probably my favorite main character that I've read about this year.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read every Sally Watson book I could get my hands on. This one isn’t my favorite… the main character isn’t as likeable but still a fond memory

[Ethne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how besotted she is with him the whole time. 😂

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a children's historical novel which focuses on a young teen, Lark who is not a very good Puritan. She has been 'stolen' by her uncle from her Royalist parents who have fled to France. Her uncle is a staunch supporter of Cromwell. Lark escapes and meets James a young secret messenger for the King.

There is plenty of adventures and troubles along the way and it is a good introduction to the civil war for children.

[Sps · Rating 3 out of 5]

For fans of Louisa May Alcott, Karen Cushman, L.M. Montgomery, or other writers of spirited girls from the Anglo-Saxon past. If a kid has outgrown the American Girls and likes a drop of romance, offer this.

[Shaneil Moto · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book introduced me to a life-long love affair with reading! I checked it out of the school library a dozen times in 3rd grade. At the end of the year the librarian let me have it! I have kept it this whole time and just handed it down to my daughter!

[Elizabeth Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first foray into historical novels. I must have been about ten years old and I loved this book as only a young girl can. Sally Watson was followed by Agatha Christie and together these authors started my life long love of reading.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully sweet, candid tale of a young Catholic girl whose bravery and common sense shine forth - very inspiring! :)

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been re-reading this series (my favorite from probably 6th grade?) with my daughter. Some of the best historical fiction ever and fabulous girl role models.

[Beth Kaminske · Rating 5 out of 5]

this may be my favorite Sally Watson book. I learned so much about Cromwell's England, loved both Lark and James, and laughed out loud reading the Son of DR Thornybramble!

[Nathalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this like 456789 years ago in grade school and I could NEVER FIND IT EVER AGAIN. THE MYSTERY IS OVER

[Kay Robart · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my review here:

https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015...