Hardcover : 368 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-0811873000
Reading age : 12 years and up
Lexile measure : 630L
Grade level : 7 and up
Prisoners in the Palace
Young Elizabeth Hastings knows about suffering. At seventeen, she has lost her family, her home and her future. In desperation, she takes a position at Kensington Palace working for the sixteen year old Princess Victoria. But nothing is as it seems at the palace. The heir to the throne is practically a prisoner. A mother schemes against her daughter. Sir John Conroy, a man with no power or connections, is playing for the ultimate prize. And the servants – they know everything of course!
Liza’s journey will take her through the bowels of the Palace and to the deepest slums of London. She’ll learn about the power of the press and the attractions of one particular newspaperman. How far will Liza have to go to restore her fortune and put the Princess Victoria on the throne? Will she find independence and romance or find herself a prisoner in the palace, too?
Reviews:
Junior Library Guild Selection
Indie Next
Scholastic Book Club Selection
New York Times Bestsellers List – Young Adult e-Book
Liza's riches-to-rags-to-almost-riches story and her development into a young woman of high moral purpose, and Victoria's growth from a docile teen into a queen who would define an era, make this a great read."--School Library Journal, Starred Review
"a whip-smart, spunky protagonist and a worthy heroine to root for. delightful". Publishers Weekly
This novel is full of historical detail, vivid settings, and richly drawn characters, and themes of friendship and romance give the story teen appeal; Liza is a brave yet conflicted young adult with whom readers will identify. A tale of espionage, romance, grief, and hope. Booklist
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Created by Tara Conkling
Excerpt:
“You want me to be a spy?”
Liza dared not be mistaken about the Baroness’s intent.
“Da, ein spion.” It was an ugly word in German or English.
“But why?”
“If you do your job properly, you will overhear the answer. If not, then you are too stupid and your linguistic skills are worthless to me.”
Slowly, Liza said, “The Princess was very kind—I won’t do anything against her.”
The Baroness drew herself up. “And you think I would? Trust me, Miss Hastings, the Princess’s interests and mine are exactly the same. Your information will serve us both.”
“If it is to serve the Princess Victoria,” Liza swallowed hard, “then I will do it.”
— Prisoners in the Palace