Growing Up Royal: Life in the Shadow of the British Throne [Paperback]

Jane Billinghurst (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2001 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

What child hasn't imagined life as a prince or princess? We read fantastical stories about them when we are young, hear about them in the news, and wonder what it would be like to be in their shoes. Growing Up Royal is a fun, informative, and realistic look at a royal upbringing -- a true behind-the-scenes peek at what a life of splendor is really like. Filled with humorous anecdotes and engrossing stories of royals past and present, it soon becomes clear that despite some obvious differences, kids in a royal family are much like kids everywhere.

Tradition, politics, privilege, and restrictions all play out in the life of young royals. Learn of the many ways the current British royal family is adapting to the changes brought by modern times, and how these events have shaped the lives of future royals, particularly Prince William, second in line to the British throne and a heartthrob for young girls everywhere. Is it really so glamorous to be born into royalty? What's it like to have your every move watched by the public and the press?

From birth through to the teen years, all stages in the life of a young royal are explored, from the palace nursery to learning one's place in society. The book discusses the social scene behind the castle walls, royal leisure pursuits and sporting activities, and education (will it be private tutoring as in times past, with no schoolmates, or a private school?). Then there are the challenges of one's private life. Imagine a royal teen on a date - with bodyguards!

Growing Up Royal is divided into sections: What Does It Mean to Be Royal?, In the Palace Nursery, Realizing You Are Different, Behind Castle Doors, Royal Pursuits, Entering the Big, Bad World, Mad About Royals and Being a Royal Teen. Sidebars with interesting facts and tales are interspersed throughout the text. Get the inside scoop on Royal Families in Europe, Royal Servants, Royal Birthday Bashes, and much more! A table of contents and an index are included for easy reference. The sixteen-page photo section captures a broad spectrum of images that reveal even more about the life of young royals.

(20020104)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7-This book is an overview, and thus contains more trivia than biography. Through information gleaned mainly from magazine and newspaper accounts, Billinghurst describes everyday life, relationships with servants, responsibilities, etiquette, and more, and conveys the reality that being born a prince or princess is more about being a good public figure than about fun, frolic, and having it all. Though the book revolves mainly around contemporary British royals, with colorful photos primarily of Prince William and Prince Harry at different ages, information on other royals is included. The sidebars on various aspects of royal life, the author's note, and the extensive index are helpful additions. A secondary source.
Kim Harris, Newman Riga Library, Churchville, NY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-7. Despite the slippery slope the British royal family has been sledding down in recent years, there are still plenty of young people who are interested in what it's like to live as a prince or princess. Although this is about royalty in general, the focus is really on the Brits, with special attention paid to the younger royals, William and Harry, and the Duke and Duchess of York's daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie. More than just a superficial biography, this offers an interesting look at the upside and the downside of royal life, punctuated by numerous kid-oriented anecdotes. Billinghurst draws readers in by framing the material as a question: Do you, the reader, have what it takes to be a royal? This personalization works well throughout the text, enhanced by sidebars offering information about topics that range from questions on the Eton qualifying test to definitions of royal servants. There are two inserts of well-chosen color photographs, but more would have been welcome. This is mostly for browsers, but it can also be used for reports on royalty. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Annick Press (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1550376225
• ISBN-13: 978-1550376227
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,565,188 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Royal Treat, June 23, 2011

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RosieTheReader - See all my reviews

This review is from: Growing Up Royal: Life in the Shadow of the British Throne (Paperback)

Excellent children's book on the Royals. I haven't seen other books on this subjet.
Might cure some kids of wanting to be a real princess or prince! Good bibiliography.