Girl in a Cage

I read this because I was visiting Scotland and wanted a YA historical fiction to read while I was there. I wasn't disappointed from that angle, though I'm not sure this is a book I'd give to most kids. Medieval historical fiction isn't popular among my students, and Marjorie does feel 11th century. (As opposed to, say, Catherine of [b:Catherine, Called Birdy|24137|Catherine, Called Birdy|Karen Cushman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1167520363s/24137.jpg|25037], whose voice has a more contemporary feel.) It helped me get a vague handle on Scottish/English royal history, though!

Jane Yolen knows how to write. She takes history (which aside from my romance novels I don't care for) and makes it come alive.
Girl in a Cage tells the story of 11 year old Marjorie de Brus who is a prisoner of King Edward of England. Marjorie's crime? To be the daughter of Robert de Brus, declared king of Scotland.
I pretty much hated Edward here. What kind of bastard puts a small child (or anyone really) in a cage? Out in the open for people to torment?

Girl in a Cage is historical fiction of a very fine kind. I remember the first time I read Johnny Tremain; I was so much a part of the story that I felt like I was Johnny (despite the gender difference). I was proud, I despaired, I hoped. I really freaked out my teacher as I sobbed at the back of the class because my future as a silversmith was lost. Girl in a Cage was like that for me.

Marjorie Bruce is the king's daughter. The problem is that not all of Scotland acknowledges her father as king and King Edward of England certainly sees Robert Bruce as a traitor and pretneder to the throne. As Robert Bruce marshalls his small but determined band of supporters, King Edward sets upon Bruce's family and captures Marjorie, her stepmother, show more and Aunts. Marjorie is separated and kept in a cage in a small village in England. This is not how she expected Princess life to be. Edward visits her to taunt her and villagers throw food and rocks at her. 11 year old MArjorie is very human and swings from worrying about her Father and stepmother to fretting about her lack of beautiful clothing (and warmth, food, and privacy). She determines that the Princessy thing to do will be to defy King Edward until one of them is dead.

This book makes clear the complicated way that Scotland and England were intertwined. I also recommend The Queen's Own Fool. show less

When Marjorie's father is crowned King of Scotland, the English King, Edward Longshanks, embarks on a crusade to wipe out the "rebels." Captured, Longshanks has Marjorie placed in a wooden cage, and hung in the center of town. Pelted with rotten vegetables, exposed to the cold, wind and rain, Marjorie is determined to remain a princess.

Based on historical events, I found this to be a fascinating book. It was well written, engaging, and the characters seemed alive. I think that pre-teens will be fascinated by this story, and perhaps find an interest in history. Overall, highly recommended.

This book provided an interesting view of the battle for Scotland and Robert Bruce. Told from the point of view of his daughter the struggle for freedom from England takes on a very personal meaning. An interesting read with good character development and a moving plot. I would recommend this book to all ages.

This book provided an interesting view of the battle for Scotland and Robert Bruce. Told from the point of view of his daughter the struggle for freedom from England takes on a very personal meaning. An interesting read with good character development and a moving plot. I would recommend this book to all ages.

Not too bad - historical fiction for teens that imagines what Marjorie Bruce, daughter of Scottish King Robert Bruce, would have been thinking during the early portion of her imprisonment in a cage by Longshanks. The memoir format is very popular in historical fiction, and I think some teens respond well to a less formal approach to the narrative.