It's the Norman Conquest through the eyes of a young Saxon girl. You'd think I would have adored this then, but for reasons I don't remember, I've never actually finished it. There must be some reason why though.

Okay, now I remember why. While the main character's plight and the actions she takes are realistic for that time and place, it's not something that's enjoyable for a girl to read.

There's another book, "The King's Shadow" which stuck with me much more intensely. In that book, the MC is a young man. And a young man is allowed to be proactive, and pick up a sword to defend his people. The MC in "The Striped Ships" uh...scrubs floors and then gets to sew something!

The something she helps sew is historically very important, but it's still sewing. ( )

bayeux tapestry, 1066