Status
Check shelf
Call number
Publication
Scholastic Press (1999), Hardcover, 160 pages
Description
Biography of the African princess saved from execution and taken to England where Queen Victoria oversaw her upbringing and where she lived for a time before marrying an African missionary.
Local notes
1202-73
User reviews
LibraryThing member bestwhensimple
This book by Walter Dean Myers is the story of a young African girl who was taken from her home after witnessing atrocities and was provided for by Queen Victoria of England in the nineteenth century. Besides being exceptionally well-researched, At Her Majesty's Request is a very interesting
Sarah Forbes Bonetta's life is so fascinating! I especially like how Walter Dean Myers fills in the gaps between the printed letters between Sarah and her friends and family. At times, he even asks questions about Sarah for his readers. He also provides many pictures and drawings of Sarah and her companions during the period. It made the book feel less like an archive or a history book and more like a story. And despite the fact that this book is about a historical figure, the themes presented in this book are timeless. Sarah grapples with her identity, as she can't stick to calling herself by one name. Her story also shows a concern for family. Both of these themes are integral to the book, and to humanity in general. It's for these reasons that I foresee many older children and young adults picking this book up and not putting it down.
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read.Sarah Forbes Bonetta's life is so fascinating! I especially like how Walter Dean Myers fills in the gaps between the printed letters between Sarah and her friends and family. At times, he even asks questions about Sarah for his readers. He also provides many pictures and drawings of Sarah and her companions during the period. It made the book feel less like an archive or a history book and more like a story. And despite the fact that this book is about a historical figure, the themes presented in this book are timeless. Sarah grapples with her identity, as she can't stick to calling herself by one name. Her story also shows a concern for family. Both of these themes are integral to the book, and to humanity in general. It's for these reasons that I foresee many older children and young adults picking this book up and not putting it down.
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LibraryThing member aprilmcmullen
At her Majesty Request is also a non fiction book. This is a historical book because it deals with slavery trade. Its about this young girl who is an African princess in her city, but Europeans captures their village and begin to have them traded. The commander of the ship, Commander Fordes, seen
When I become a teaher I would consider this book because the school books really do not talk about the good things that happen backe in this time. They always talking about the beatings, abuses, & ect. but we never hear how sometimes someone has kindness of the heart. I like the book & will definetly use it in my class
I encourage that every becoming teacher read this book.
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something special in Sarah's life & he couldnt give her up so he keep her & took her back with him & his family in Englad. There she learn many different thing, so it got back to the Queen Victoria about this young girl & decided to meet her. Sarah life was changed forever.When I become a teaher I would consider this book because the school books really do not talk about the good things that happen backe in this time. They always talking about the beatings, abuses, & ect. but we never hear how sometimes someone has kindness of the heart. I like the book & will definetly use it in my class
I encourage that every becoming teacher read this book.
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LibraryThing member SaintSunniva
At Her Majesty's Request tells the amazing, sad true story of an African princess, rescued at the point of her certain death by a Commander in Her Majesty's Royal Navy, who is given the child, to give to Queen Victoria. Given the name Sarah Forbes Bonetta by Commander Forbes, her last name being
A four year old girl who sees her parents and siblings slaughtered, is held in solitary confinement for two years, and is then about to be part of a huge human sacrifice and is rescued only minutes before her sure death....one wonders, given our predilection for labeling outrageous behavior as being caused by past trauma, especially childhood traumas...how did she overcome these things, and be a kind, interested, educated, and basically happy person.
Walter Dean Myers carefully lays out as much of Sarah's story as he can without overwhelming his audience, but at the risk of being quite dry in his tone as he seldom elaborates in detail, for this extremely dramatic story.
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the name of the ship he commanded, she went to England for a year and was the queen's special interest.A four year old girl who sees her parents and siblings slaughtered, is held in solitary confinement for two years, and is then about to be part of a huge human sacrifice and is rescued only minutes before her sure death....one wonders, given our predilection for labeling outrageous behavior as being caused by past trauma, especially childhood traumas...how did she overcome these things, and be a kind, interested, educated, and basically happy person.
Walter Dean Myers carefully lays out as much of Sarah's story as he can without overwhelming his audience, but at the risk of being quite dry in his tone as he seldom elaborates in detail, for this extremely dramatic story.
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LibraryThing member Whisper1
This is a very interesting tale based on the true story of an English captain who rescued an African princess from sure death via sacrifice by a brutal African King of Dahome. Attacking and killing members of villages, the King of Dahome, kept some members, bringing them back to Dahome to hold in
When Captain Frederick Forbes is meeting with the King, he is told that a sacrificial ceremony is about to occur. Watching in horror, he notes a small five year old girl about to be killed. Asking the King to give the girl to him as a present for Queen Victoria, he then rescues the girl, bringing her back to England, naming her Sarah Forbes Bonetta.
The Queen is smitten with Sarah and from then on provides funding for her upkeep. Frequent visits to the palace set Sarah apart from others and she is held in great esteem.
Befriended by Queen Victoria's children, Sarah forms a bond that lasts a lifetime. Sharp, sensitive and very intelligent, Sarah adapts to her life and, while she dies at a young time in her life, she marries, has two children and is forever grateful to her rescuer.
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pens until his ritual of sacrifice was held. When Captain Frederick Forbes is meeting with the King, he is told that a sacrificial ceremony is about to occur. Watching in horror, he notes a small five year old girl about to be killed. Asking the King to give the girl to him as a present for Queen Victoria, he then rescues the girl, bringing her back to England, naming her Sarah Forbes Bonetta.
The Queen is smitten with Sarah and from then on provides funding for her upkeep. Frequent visits to the palace set Sarah apart from others and she is held in great esteem.
Befriended by Queen Victoria's children, Sarah forms a bond that lasts a lifetime. Sharp, sensitive and very intelligent, Sarah adapts to her life and, while she dies at a young time in her life, she marries, has two children and is forever grateful to her rescuer.
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LibraryThing member autumnesf
Really good book about an African that was brought to England and looked on as a kind of special project by the queen.
LibraryThing member BoundTogetherForGood
This was an interesting, true story. I think it would have been very interesting if more were known about her life, especially first-hand. This is a retelling from someone who worked very hard to put the pieces back together years later. Heart-warming.
LibraryThing member gryphondear
More of a look at British Victorian mores than at Sarah Bonneta. No Princess Cariboo, Sarah was rescued from slavery and romanticized into an acceptable playmate for Queen Victoria's children.
I found the writing a bit patronizing for the intended YA audience.
I found the writing a bit patronizing for the intended YA audience.
LibraryThing member pyattlori
At Her Majesty’s Request: This a rather dense book that covers in great detail the story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, her capture and travels. I think this book would be good to pair with a Pocahontas story that students may be more familiar with. It may help them to understand the material, but I
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believe this is a great resource and story for students to learn about. Show Less
LibraryThing member ediekm1990
This was a very interesting historical book. Just a different history story than is usually told. This would be good for a book report or historical project for perhaps a middle school student or even high school. The author does a good job of telling fact, but keeping it interesting.
LibraryThing member CatsandCherryPie
A great book about the resilience of a young girl who survived loss of family and native country as she makes her way through life with the help of a very influencial woman - Queen Victoria.
LibraryThing member Sativa60
Excellent telling of this fascinating story!
I first heard of her story when watching the series "Victoria" on Amazon Prime and found the book an easy and quick read packed with historical facts, documents, and images that support the story.
I first heard of her story when watching the series "Victoria" on Amazon Prime and found the book an easy and quick read packed with historical facts, documents, and images that support the story.
LibraryThing member ChazziFrazz
This is a biography of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, an African princess rescued from certain death. Her benefactor was Queen Victoria of England.
Sarah’s village had been destroyed by enemy warriors. Her parents murdered in front of her. At age 7 she was rescued by Captain Forbes and brought to England.
It is an interesting story of the life and times in Victoria’s era. Sarah was raised as an English child with some of the privileges of royalty. Her education was of the top drawer for a girl. The basis of the book came from letters written by Sarah telling of what her life was like. She didn’t live at court, but was raised by white families. She also was sent back to Africa, for a bit, to learn about the culture and world she came from.
An unusual and interesting read.
Sarah’s village had been destroyed by enemy warriors. Her parents murdered in front of her. At age 7 she was rescued by Captain Forbes and brought to England.
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He was able to save her by telling the chief of the warrior tribe she would be a gift to the Queen.It is an interesting story of the life and times in Victoria’s era. Sarah was raised as an English child with some of the privileges of royalty. Her education was of the top drawer for a girl. The basis of the book came from letters written by Sarah telling of what her life was like. She didn’t live at court, but was raised by white families. She also was sent back to Africa, for a bit, to learn about the culture and world she came from.
An unusual and interesting read.
Show Less
Subjects
Awards
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (1999)
Orbis Pictus Award (Honor — 2000)
Virginia Readers' Choice (Nominee — Middle School — 2002)
CCBC Choices (2000)
NCTE Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K—Grade 6 (13th Edition: 1999-2001)
Language
Original publication date
1999-09
Physical description
160 p.; 8.98 inches
ISBN
0590486691 / 9780590486699