The Lacemaker and the Princess

Author: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Summary: Young Isabelle is a lacemaker, like her mother and grandmother.  In the months before the French Revolution, Isabelle's family is struggling financially. Isabelle is sent to the Palace of Versailles to deliver some lace, where she is nearly trampled by a crowd.  The queen, Marie Antoinette, saves her and makes Isabelle her daughter's new companion. Isabelle becomes a friend to the princess, all the while hearing the rising anger against the king and queen.  This novel is a well-written piece of historical fiction that makes the characters seem human and tells about the events of the French Revoltion in a way that makes them real to the reader.  Isabelle is a character that readers can relate to; a young girl who is caught between her family and her friend.

Themes:
Loyalty
Equality
Poverty

Age Appropriateness:
Grades three and up

Areas of concern (content):
Foul Language: none
Nudity/Adult Content: none
Violence: very, very mild