The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley

The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley

Crowley, Suzanne. The Stolen One. Greenwillow Books, 2009. 406 pages. $17.99. ISBN 0061232008

Readers Annotation: After the death of her adoptive mother, Kat and her deaf adoptive sister venture to London to find out the truth of her real parents. Along the way Kat learns the true meaning of love and the ways of the Virgin Queen’s court.

Plot Summary: Kat always knew she wasn’t her mother’s flesh and blood but never really gave it a second thought until a strange woman appeared, dying at their cottage door. After the woman’s death, and subsequent burial by the man who loves her, Kat starts to ask questions. With no answers, and more questions once her mother dies, she decides to go to London with her deaf sister to get the answers she desires. The mysterious Lady Ludmore takes in Kat and Anna and Kat is quickly among the queen’s favorites as the newest addition to her court. Her talents with the needle further her popularity and spur the interests of not just one suitor. Her mother’s prophecy of Kat’s abandonment of her sister prove more likely as her popularity with the queen progresses and her quest for information about her real parents seems to get her nowhere. Will she succeed in discovering the truth about her past?

Critical Evaluation: From the beginning of the book, Crowley captures the reader with plot twists that make the book hard to put down. The unusual circumstances of Kat and Anna seem too strange at first, but as the story progresses, and the reader catches glimpses into the past of Grace, it slowly makes sense. The Stolen One is a perfect addition to the speculative fiction about Queen Elizabeth and the whole mystery and tragedy of the aftermath of King Henry VIII. It seems fitting that this book would be suited towards young women between fourteen and eighteen, although Barnes and Noble suggests ages twelve and up. Twelve seems a bit too young for some of events to make sense, and to grasp the mentality of the Elizabethan age. Crowley presents what seems a well-researched piece regarding speculation surrounding the virgin queen.

Reading Level: Suitable for ages fourteen to eighteen due to the subject matter.

Book talk ideas: Read a passage from the book, I suggest the description of Queen Elizabeth’s collection of dresses and accessories. Discuss that fashion has always been a big part of culture, especially among the elite. Today, however, fashion seems to be more easily attainable. Give examples of other books that may be of interest, like A Sweet Disorder by Jacqueline Kolosov, or the Gossip Girl series that involves a fair amount of drama and fashion among the modern elite.

Why it is included: I chose this book because I wanted to compare novels set in Queen Elizabeth’s court. This novel is fairly new and has not been recognized in any lists or received any awards.

Challenge Issues: The treatment of characters with physical impairments may be an issue with some readers, however I would argue that the treatment of the characters reflects the mentality of the age. It is beneficial to understand how different people were treated to understand where we have come.