Synopsis
It started with a history project. Mr. Gregor assigned a research paper on a figure from the Tudor era, and of course Jane Grey had to pick her namesake—Lady Jane Grey, the fifteen-year-old girl whose parents schemed to place her on the throne of England, then abandoned her to face the executioner. The project is engrossing from the start, but when Jane opens a mysterious prayer book and finds herself in the Tower of London in 1554, she ends up literally drawn into her namesake's story. Soon Jane is slipping into the past whenever the present becomes too unbearable, avoiding her mother's demands, her best friend's fickleness, her crush's indifference. In the tower she plays chess with the imprisoned Lady Jane and is awed by her new friend's strength and courage. And in the tower, keeping vigil as the day of the execution draws near, Jane learns that she too must have the courage to fight for her own happiness.
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About the Author
Sue MacLeod has filled her career with the written word, working as a writer, an editor, and a library assistant. Born to a military family, Sue moved many times throughout her childhood but always felt rooted in Nova Scotia, where her family returned each summer. That rootedness is apparent in her two books of poetry and in her novel Namesake, which received a starred review from Quill & Quire and was shortlisted for the IODE Violet Downey Book Award. Sue now lives in Toronto, Ontario.
Reviews
Gr 6-9-Strange things happen when Jane Grey, a high school student in Halifax, begins an assignment researching Lady Jane Grey, the "nine days queen." Upon examining her cache of library books, she finds one she hadn't checked out: Booke of Prayre. As Jane opens it, she is mysteriously transported to the 16th century and meets her namesake. MacLeod dexterously handles the intricacies of the time travel central to the story, and a fascinating, powerful bond develops between the two Jane Greys. It is during their encounters that this first novel is most riveting and successful. Both characters are wonderfully fleshed out. Their mutual confusion heightens the mystery about the impact they might have on each other. Both Janes have their problems with family. Historical Jane struggles to continue following her Protestantism while her Catholic cousin Mary assumes the throne of England. Modern Jane has difficulty coping with what she perceives as the three sides of her mother's personality. The author's skill is most pronounced when the two Janes are getting to know each other and to understand the milieu in which each lives. The writing about contemporary Jane and her friends is somewhat forced, but MacLeod's evocative prose makes friendship across time seem possible. Though Lady Jane's tragic life is known, readers hope for a happier outcome. This enjoyable read offers a window into an intriguing aspect of British history. It is likely to appeal to fans of Susan Cooper's King of Shadows (S & S, 1999) and books by Margaret Peterson Haddix.-Renee Steinberg, formerly at Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Namesake
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Namesake
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Namesake
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