My Story: Bloody Tower
My Royal Story, My Story: Girls Series
on Goodreads (880)
What’s inside...
Tilly lives in turbulent times. It's the 1550s; when Queen Mary ousts Lady Jane Grey to win the throne, her executioners are kept busy. Even Princess Elizabeth is imprisoned in the Tower. As Tilly watches the plots and politics of the Tudor court unfolding, she waits for her chance to deliver a very important letter...
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
160 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Tilly Middleton
Discussion points
How do you think Tilly felt when she arrived at the Tower of London, and why?
What are some ways that Tilly showed bravery throughout the story?
Why is it important to understand and learn about historical events like those in the book?
If you were Tilly, what would you have done differently in her situation?
How can knowing history help us make better decisions today?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by setting a comfortable environment for discussion—perhaps during a quiet evening or after finishing a chapter together.
Show genuine interest in their thoughts and feelings about the book, validating their opinions to encourage deeper reflection.
Relate the historical aspects of the story to current events or family history to make the conversation more relevant.
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in Tilly’s world, asking how they might feel or react in similar circumstances.
End each discussion with a summary of what you’ve both learned and how it connects to broader life lessons.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The protagonist's experiences in the historically rich yet turbulent setting of the Tower of London demonstrate how resilience can help one navigate challenges.
Real-World Application: Children learn to persevere through their own difficulties, whether it’s solving a tough math problem or dealing with a playground disagreement.
Example Lesson: Understanding historical context
Explanation: By exploring the life and times of a young girl in the Tudor period, the book offers insights into the impact of history on personal lives.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to explore and appreciate history, understanding how it shapes societies and the importance of learning from the past.
Example Lesson: Empathy and compassion
Explanation: The narrative allows readers to step into the shoes of characters from a different era, understanding their struggles and triumphs.
Real-World Application: Empathy cultivated from the book helps children relate better to people in different life situations, promoting inclusivity and kindness.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and questioning
Explanation: The complex historical events and intrigues present in the story encourage readers to think critically about motives, actions, and consequences.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to not take information at face value and to delve deeper into reasons behind events and decisions, a crucial skill in academics and life.
Example Lesson: Value of courage
Explanation: Characters in the story often face perilous situations that require bravery.
Real-World Application: This underscores the importance of courage in overcoming fears and standing up for oneself, which is applicable in scenarios like trying new activities or defending a friend.