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Henry V111 for 15 year old, please

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13 years ago

I'm taking my 15 year old granddaughter to France and England this summer. After all the books I've loved over many years ( Wolf Hall and its sequel, most recently) on this subject, a trip to Hamton Court Palace is a must. Can you recommend a page turner for my almost-15 year old on this era of English history? Are the Philippa Gregory books, which I've not read, appropriate? Oh, I did read 'Girl with the earring', and seem to vaguely remember some sexual content? Think that was Gregory.? She, of course, is a HUGE Harry Potter fan. She is capable of more difficult reading, but also has a really busy summer, so would prefer to get her something easy and intrigueing , ala Harry Potter. There was little at B & N other than the Gregory books, and no ideas from help desk.
Help me if you can, please! TIA !!
Marti

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Comments (4)

annpan
13 years ago
Hampton Court Palace is lovely. I have been over it a number of times.
I used to read books on the Tudor era by Jean Plaidy, I think she isn't too difficult for a teenager and not too explicit about the details of life in those times. You might want to read one yourself to judge, though!
veer
13 years ago
martinca, Hampton Court is well worth a visit, although, as you probably know much of it was re-built/added to by Christopher Wren a hundred and fifty odd years later. The original Tudor kitchens are still there and the wonderful red brick entrance gateway. Also beautiful laid out gardens down to the River Thames. My husband grew up about a mile from the place and always enjoyed time spent there.
As an introduction to that period of English history I personally wouldn't bother with a novel but would get your granddaughter a copy of The Time Traveller's Guide to Elizabethan England by Ian Mortimer which will provide a good 'overview' of that period, not dates and battles but what people ate, wore, their homes, education, beliefs. It wont be dull and she can dip in and out of it and use it for further reference and maybe later trips/study. You might also enjoy it!
If you are just interested in Henry VIII you could try The Children of Henry VIII by John Guy. Not a long or detailed read but gives you the salient points/characters of that time.
As far as I know there is no sexual content within either book
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carolyn_ky
13 years ago
I don't advise Phillipa Gregory. The only book of hers that I read was wildly inaccurate and pretty sexy.

Girl with a Pearl Earring was by Tracy Chevalier and was about the Dutch painter Vermeer.
martinca_gw sunset zone 24
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you all so very much. I had forgotten Time Traveller's guide.... good idea!

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