Isabel: Jewel of Castilla, Spain 1466 (The Royal Diaries)

by Carolyn Meyer

Hardcover, 2000

Status

Check shelf

Call number

J 92 Isa

Publication

Scholastic Inc. (2000), 208 pages

Description

While waiting anxiously for others to choose a husband for her, Isabella, the future Queen of Spain, keeps a diary account of her life as a member of the royal family.

Local notes

1511-110

User reviews

LibraryThing member AngelaB86

Written as a diary, about the events leading up to Princess Isabel's engagement and life in pre-Inquisition Spain. A great series for young girls!

One feature of the Royal Diaries series is once the story is finished, the author includes a section which is only facts: pictures/portraits of the main

characters, family trees, a "What life was like in (insert name) lived" to help the reader distinguish between what we know about the characters, what we assume from artifacts found, and what the author made up to help the story along.

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LibraryThing member sgerbic

Reviewed April 2000

Another winning bio! A bit confusing as I know quite a lot less about Catherine of Arragon's mother. Also confusing is this horrible habit these royal people have of naming their children after saints and themselves. Several Isabels, Juans, and Juanas, makes it a mess at times.

If this book is as researched as the Elizabeth book then I can place a lot of faith that the majority of the fats are straight. In the index the author lists who were fictional charactors and what happened to the real people mentioned. I'm very glad that the author brings up the truth about Isabel's legacy, the Spanish Inquisition. Columbus is also mentioned, but his crimes are only hinted at. From the Spaniards point of view I guess it was factual. I did find it sad that the author chose to have Isabel live happy ever after once she married, instead of ending at her crowning as Queen of Castilla.

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LibraryThing member t1bclasslibrary

This book describes the trials and tribulations of Isabel, future queen of Spain. We see her struggling with her older brother, hoping she won't be forced to marry someone aweful, and trying to amuse herself. We see some of the underpinnings of the religious fervor she had as a queen, but we get a

fuller picture later. The Epilogue explains that she was responsible for the Spanish inquisition, expelling the Moors from Spain, and sending Columbus off.

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LibraryThing member nykolaibasket

A sympathetic, fictional portrayal of Isabel of Castilla, one of the least-sympathetic royal figures (in my opinion). The author did a good job in explaining the day to day lives of people of that time.

LibraryThing member wkamai

A fiction/nonfictional biography based on the life of Queen Isabel of Castilla. An interesting read indeed! The way Isabel describes the moments and though she is a princess of the highest standing she still frets about little girl things every now and then, despite how fast she has to grow up to

please the people around her.

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LibraryThing member megjwal

The Royal Diaries: Isabel: Jewel of Castilla by Carolyn Meyer

This historical fiction story is about Isabel who eventually became the Queen of Spain. Isabel was a princess of Spain with her brother King Enrique tries to make her a bargaining chip to help strengthen his power. She manages to not

marry any of the suitors her brother chooses for her and is able to marry the man that she likes and grows to love.

I think this is a great story. It shows how crazy politics were even back in the day of the kings and queens. I am glad the Isabel’s story ended well for her.

I would recommend this book for 5th through 7th graders. I would have them use this book to get some historical reference, but also give them ideas of the great stories you can create from knowing just a few things in history. I would assign the students to write a similar story finding a historical leader they could elaborate with from in Europe’s the monarch age.

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LibraryThing member Marlene-NL

On Sunday, September 26, 2004 I wrote on bookcrossing:

Hi How are you? Right now I am reading this book.It is an easy read. I will update this journal and tell you my thoughts on this book.thanks.
Update: It is a nice way to let kids (and adults) learn something of there history in this modern and

fashionable way ,the diaries) Easy read. Liked it.

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LibraryThing member TheMadHatters

Fictional journal of Isabel as she struggles to make her own choices in the political world of 15th century Spain.

LibraryThing member Beammey

I don't know why, buy I just couldn't connect to Isabel. It was a good story line and I did enjoy the book, I Just couldn't connect with the main character. I would still recommend the book though, just keep in mind it is for younger readers. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

LibraryThing member Marse

Young Isabella before her marriage to Fernando. This is her struggle with her half-brother Enrique for the throne. He continually tries to marry her off to his advantage, but her disgust (at the suitors he proposes). She wants to marry Ferninand of Aragon. The diary is suggested by her confessor,

the future Grand Inquisitor Torquemada, so she can reflect on her sins. It ends with the two young royals married and ruling a united Spain. The rest of her history--the reconquest of Spain from the Muslims, the expulsion of the Jews, the horrors of the auto da fe, the discovery of the New World is all in the epilogue. The diary focuses on her escapes from her half-brother which means a lot of going back and forth between cities, quite boring actually. Overall, not a very impressive book.

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