Journey for a Princess (Junior Literary Guild Selection) (Hardcover)

by Margaret Leighton (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Farrar Straus & Giroux (June 1960)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374338280
• ISBN-13: 978-0374338282
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,822,898 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Perfect Little Gem of a Historical Novel, February 10, 2001

By	JaycieK (USA) - See all my reviews

I first read this book four years ago and have taken it out of the library many times since. It is the wonderful coming-of-age tale of a real historical figure, Elstrid, daughter of Alfred the Great of England. Not only does the journey of the title refer to the pilgrimage that Elstrid takes to Rome, but her journey from child to young woman. It only makes it more interesting to know that the main characters, Alfred, Elstrid and her sisters and brothers, Baudouin and Judith were all real people who lived long ago. I also wish this book would be published again. I would love to have a copy of my own.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a really wonderful book, August 9, 2000

By	Heather (Bellevue, WA USA) - See all my reviews

this story is a timeless tale that can touch women and girls of all ages. it is wonderfully written and very descriptive. detailed, yet easily read by middle school aged children it is a delight to the imaginative mind. it is historic with a slight flavoring of barely discernable romance and contains action and suspense unlike that of the newer action stories and movies of today. i first read this book in 5th or 6th grade after i had bought it at a book sale at a local school. now about 6 years later i still love it and so does my younger sister who read it in fourth grade. i wish i had a newer copy but mine is still in wonderful shape and well bound by the school. i would also recommend those who enjoyed "A Journey For a Princess" to try and find a book entitled "The Witch of the Glens." i fear that it is probably out of print and hard to locate but it is similarly entertaining and historic. as a more modern recommendation i would suggest any book by Elizabeth Berg including her book on writing "Escaping into the Open: the Art of Writing True." if you would like to respond to any comments above please write me at: [e-mail]

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my best loved books from childhood...., August 19, 2003

By	Jaime Craven (Stilwell, KS United States) - See all my reviews

This is the story of a 14 year old princess in 9th century England whose father the king sends her on a long journey to Rome while he delays his decision on whether or not she can marry a barbarian Viking who loves her. The atmosphere of this book is magical. Margaret Leighton describes the surroundings so realistically that I could smell the air, feel the sunshine just as Elstrid did. "At the top of the first hill they stopped to rest their horses. Elstride drew a deep breath of the flower-scented air. Thrushes sang from every hazel bush and high in the flawless blue of the sky a skylark was scattering its music. The road wound down the hill before them...." I wanted to be Elstrid and take this journey SO BADLY!! I read this book as a 10 or 12 year old girl and it absolutely pulled me and entranced me! I checked it out at the library several times over the years. Years later, as an adult, I tried to find it again, but couldn't find it at a library or bookstore anywhere. With the advent of the internet, I finally found it again, but for [more money]! My husband found a beautiful copy for me for my 35th birthday. It was maybe the best birthday present I've ever had.