A parent might reach for this book when their child is navigating a new environment or feels like an outsider. It's a diary from the perspective of Eva, a young Spanish girl who moves to England to serve Catherine of Aragon. Through her eyes, readers experience the loneliness of a new country, the challenge of adapting to different customs, and the joy of finding friendship in unexpected places. The story gently explores themes of resilience, cultural identity, and loyalty. For children aged 9-13 fascinated by history, especially the Tudor period, this book makes a distant era feel personal and relatable, offering valuable lessons on perseverance and belonging.
The historical role of a "court dwarf" may require context for modern readers.
Sensitive Topics
The book touches on historical realities like political maneuvering, arranged marriages, illness, and the high rate of infant mortality in the period. Death is mentioned, particularly the deaths of royal children (Prince Arthur, Catherine's infant son), but it is handled from a distance, as part of the historical record Eva is witnessing. The approach is realistic for the time period and secular. The resolution is hopeful for Eva, who has found a home, but tinged with the historical knowledge of Catherine's later tragic fate.
Ideal Reader
A curious, empathetic reader aged 10-12 who loves history but wants a personal story, not just facts and dates. Also excellent for a child who has recently moved or is starting a new school and feels like they do not quite fit in. It resonates with the quiet observer, the child who notices social dynamics.
Parent Prep
No specific prep is needed, the diary format makes it very accessible. However, a parent might want to be ready to discuss the historical context, such as why royal marriages were political. The concept of a "court dwarf" might also need some gentle explanation as a historical role. The child might say, "I feel like everyone at my new school already has friends," or "Nobody understands me." Or they might simply express a budding interest in queens, kings, and life in the "olden days."
Age Experience
A 9-year-old will likely focus on the friendship story, the fancy dresses, and the day-to-day life of serving a princess. A 12 or 13-year-old will grasp more of the political intrigue, the precariousness of Catherine's position, and the deeper themes of cultural identity and loyalty. Older readers will also appreciate the historical accuracy more keenly.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many historical fiction books about royalty that focus on the princesses themselves, this story is told from the perspective of a servant and an immigrant. This "downstairs" view provides a unique and more relatable entry point into the grand Tudor world. Eva's status as a dwarf also adds a layer of perspective on being an "other" that is rarely explored in this genre.
Read plot summary
Eva De Puebla, a young Spanish woman with dwarfism, travels to England as a lady-in-waiting for Catherine of Aragon. Her diary details her initial culture shock, loneliness, and difficulty adapting to the cold, damp English court. She navigates court politics, forms a close bond with Catherine, and witnesses key historical events leading up to Catherine's marriage to Henry VIII and her eventual crowning as queen. The story focuses on her personal journey of finding her place and identity in a foreign land.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Eva often feels like an outsider because she is Spanish in England and because of her height. How does she learn to use these differences to her advantage at court?
2
At the beginning, Eva misses Spain terribly. By the end of the diary, why do you think she considers England her home? What people and events helped change her feelings?
3
Catherine of Aragon and Eva have a close friendship, but Catherine is a princess and Eva is her servant. How does their different social status affect their relationship?
4
How is learning about history through Eva's personal diary different from learning about it in a textbook?
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