Queen's Granddaughter

Zahler, Diane Hardcover with dust jacket, 304 pages Embark on a sweeping journey of self-discovery in this adventurous historical middle grade novel perfect for fans of Karen Cushman and Gary Paulsen. Twelve-year-old Blanca of Castile is the granddaughter of Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, once the wife of both the king of France and the king of England. When Eleanor comes to select the girl who will marry the prince of France, all expect her to pick Blanca's much older, and much prettier, sister. But Queen Eleanor has always loved surprises. To meet her destiny, Blanca, along with her best friend Suna, must set out over the Pyrenees Mountains for France. But the journey there is not easy. The group, which includes knights, attendants, and Queen Eleanor herself, faces blizzards and hunger, treacherous roads and even a kidnapping. As Blanca overcomes the many perils of the journey, she will need to learn how to protect herself and those around her -- and discover what it takes to follow in the footsteps of a queen.