Customer Reviews

Girl in a Cage

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Jane Yolen and Robert J. Harris serve up a worthy successor to "Queen's Own Fool": "Girl in a Cage," the second of four historical novels taking place during pivotal parts of Scottish history. "Girl" is a great read, funny and chilling and taking readers right into the middle of Scotland during the time of Robert the Bruce.

As the book opens, Marjorie Bruce is being dragged by English soldiers to a small town, where she is tossed into an animal's cage. The villagers treat her with disgust, and she is kept under guard. Her life was turned upside-down when her father confronted and killed Red Comyn, a treacherous lackey of King Edward Longshanks. Now Marjorie's father, Robert the Bruce, has been crowned king of Scotland, and Longshanks is trying to hunt down and kill him.

In flashback, Marjorie reveals the events that turned herself, her stepmother, and her relations into fugitives. In the present, the dying Longshanks visits Marjorie's cage to taunt her, pressing the lonely girl to betray her father in exchange for release. And Marjorie, crown princess of Scotland, is determined to outlast the enemy king, no matter what.

Usually flashbacks stink. But Harris and Yolen pull it off wonderfully, flipping between the past and the present. And even though in the present Marjorie never budges from her cage, there are all sorts of little subplots, such as some peasant children who become her "knights" and "ladies-in-waiting," or the kindly monk who tries to help her in small ways.

Marjorie's character development is absolutely wonderful; at the beginning of the whole adventure, she's a bit immature and petulant. But her rude awakening when she is treated like less than an animal is well-drawn, and her iron-clad determination to outlast Longshanks. Speaking of Longshanks, he is presented as a pretty vile person, but not two-dimensionally so -- one very striking scene near the end has him talking about his dead wife.

The writing isn't too wrapped up in historical details the way most historical novels are. And as with "Fool," Yolen and Harris are careful with the very complex politics of the times. They make all this easy to understand, but never dumbed-down. The descriptions of Marjorie's misery in the cage is haunting.. And the last chapters are incredibly powerful, with Marjorie's last talk with Longshanks and a very unexpected twist. (Whatever it is, you won't expect it)

Adults and kids alike can read "Girl in a Cage" -- like "Fool," it's one of those fantastic historical books that will be as good for any age group, especially for people who love Scotland.

Girl in a Cage is about how a Scottish princess, Margerie Bruce, is taken prisoner by King Longshanks of England. It is set in both England and Scotland in about 1347. It tells about what Margerie's father did to become king, what happened to her so that she became a prisoner, and what happened during her prisoner ship. It is a great page turner and leaves you at the end of each chapter with cliffhangers that make you want to read it forever. How the author describes the time that Margerie lived in a cage is awesome. Also a lot of it is true. The author did a lot of research and it turned out great. It also shows a great deal of how King Longshanks (a character who is actually king Edward) treated his prisoners. I think that this was one of the best historical fiction books that I have ever read and would recommend it to anyone.

Girl In A Cage is an okay book, and it's about a wealthy Scottish girl named Marjorie during the time of 1306. Things between her country and the English have not been going well. England plans to invade Scotland, but Marjorie's father Robert the Bruce will not let their enemy do so. With much appoval, Robert the Bruce crowns himself as King of Scotland, and then draws plans to lead men against the invaders. Despite the constant threat, Marjorie is thrilled to be a princess, however her happiness is lived short. The English soon enters Scotland's borders, and thus King Robert calls for war. England declares little mercy for those who defy them, even women, so Majorie must flee for her life, being the only heir of the King of Scotland. But then she is captured in a cage. She is imprisoned for a town square's public display in England. Marjorie must deal with cold, hunger, little privacy, in addition to the cruel mockings of the townspeople. She must also face the King of England, her captor, whose harsh words make her fear for the fate of her family, and the fate of Scotland itself. Nevertheless, Marjorie still remains strong. She does not have a sword, and is not in a bloody battlefield, but she can still wage a war. Marjorie will win the battle against all extremities, for she is not only a Princess by her father, but a Princess by heart.

this book was wonderfull and informative, Majorie, Isabel he dads friendand a very brave warroir, Elizabeth her new step-mom and her two aunts are running across England to safety during a war between Scotland and Engalnd. Her father Robert de Bruce is the new king of scotland and is at war with the king of scotland Edward Longshanks when the girls are all captured at a church they are all split up and taken to diffrent villages in England. Majorie is taken to Lochmaben and is put in a cage and it is in the town square and the people of lochmaben taunt and throw rotten food at her she doesnt give up the thought that her father is still coming to save her.

late one night king longshanks comes and visits her and tells her to admit that he is kingand her father is not and she resits and says to herself that she would die before she would ever say that longshanks was king.

Longshanks comes and visits evernight and tells her that her uncles, aunts, isable, elizabeth, and her father are all dead and that she must tell him that he is king.

longshanks gives majorie a ring that her uncle tried to give her and it was his good luck ring.

will majorie ever get free?

"Girl in a Cage" is a marvelous book with many twists and turns of emotions. It is very well written with exquisite language,metephores,and similies. I reccomend this book for anyone who likes historcal fiction,adventure,and revolting moments. Read this book and be bedazzled by what happens!!!

As Jane Yolen and Robert Harris flashback in and out of a young dynamic princess's life, the suspense of foreshadowing at the end of every chapter keeps you engaged and on the edge of your seat.I felt captivated and could almost tune the whole world out just to dive into Jane and Roberts realistic world brought alive by the imagery and strong emotional connotation.I assure you this book is a exciting, intense, sensitive and contains all the components of the real world.Try it out and you'll see!

Girl in a Cage by Jane Yolen and Robert Harris is a well-rounded story, mixing courage and triumph with a battle of wits between the powerful King of England, Edward "Longshanks," and the imprisoned princess of Scotland. It takes place in 1306 and pulls in a lot of historical facts though it is a fictional account of what might have happened. I really liked this book because it really pulls you into history and makes you think about that time and care more about the people of Scotland in that time period. (Reveiw is a 12-year-old's perspective).

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.

This book is awesome. I taught it last year to a group of 7th graders and I will teach it again this year. Jane Yolen is a wonderful writer and with her help, I was able to understand this book more.

In order to help my student's understand the history highlighted thorughout the book, we did a webquest of different families, wars, and places mentioned.

This book was taught as part of our Historical Fiction unit of study. The students were able to connect real life happenings to ideas presented in the book.

I adore this book and many of my student's purchased it after reading it in class.

If your a teacher, and I don't care what grade, it is worth the time to read yourself and then share with your students!

My opinion of "Girl In a Cage" is very high. This book is one of my all time faves for a couple reasons, firstly because the time is medieval. Secondly for the fact that it is set in Scotland. I disliked nothibng about the book except, for the fact that it went kinda slow. I think if the author had made the book longer and faster, and tell a little more of the story, it would have been better.

The title of this engrossing....historical page-turner is "Girl In a Cage". Girl in a cage is mostlt about Marjorie who is a princess and is trapped in a cage for 20 daysall because she is as Scotish kings daughter. Her father is crowned king after killing red commyn. Having several estates in England, Robert de Bruce leaves his home to check up on his land, whilst the english king takes his daughter and throws her in a cage. And i will let you find out what the ending is.

- Dylan Bollard