I know. I know! I’m 63. The Boy The Witch & The Queen of Scots is a children’s book. But if, like me, you’ve read Barbara Henderson’s children’s books before, you’ll know what an amazing talent she is. I could not be more thrilled than to be closing the blog tour for her latest story. My post is a little out of synch as I was on holiday and then involved (albeit remotely as I caught Covid on holiday) in a literary festival, but I was determined to participate!

I’ve read many of Barbara’s books and you’ll find all my reviews here.

Published by Luath Press on 11th April, The Boy The Witch & The Queen of Scots is available for purchase in all the usual places but with classroom resources from the publisher here.

The Boy The Witch & The Queen of Scots

No.

Not the Palace.

Anywhere but the Palace.

12-year-old Alexander Buchan was once content, training as a falconer at Strathbogie Castle in Huntly. But when his Earl sends him to Edinburgh to the court of the newly arrived Mary, Queen of Scots, the boy finds himself lured into a world of intrigue, terror and treachery. Alexander knows right from wrong, but how can he hope to outwit his master’s murderous messenger? Surely no one can defy an Earl – especially one whose wife is rumoured to be a witch!

Soon, more than the boy’s own life is at stake: his friend Lizzie is arrested and the angry clouds of Reformation Scotland gather around the young Queen.

My Review of The Boy The Witch & The Queen of Scots

Alexander Buchan has a dilemma.

I have said it many times, but I struggle to find a children’s author who writes better than Barbara Henderson. I always have absurdly high expectations of her books and, as usual, The Boy, The Witch & The Queen of Scots exceeded them all. I thought it was fantastic. 

Jam packed with drama, danger, espionage, and the workings of a royal household, the story is totally gripping. There are villains and heroes, courtiers and minions and a fascinating smattering of falconry all blended into an historical narrative that is authoritative and compelling. Barbara Henderson mixes real and imagined characters with such dexterity that her story reverberates with genuine authenticity.

Given that Alexander is only twelve at the start of the story, he has a true relatability for young readers so that this story draws them in to appreciating history. I loved the feistiness of Lizzie too because she has a strength that children and adults alike can admire. Mary Queen of Scots is so well drawn that she brings the history of the era alive and this book provides a different facet to her personality than just that of the imprisoned and ultimately beheaded, historical figure. 

And that era is magnificently presented. Facts and people are incorporated so effortlessly through the smooth writing that Barbara Henderson must have conducted assiduous research in order to present such a flowing, exciting and appealing story. The Boy, The Witch & The Queen of Scots is education and entertainment in a perfect blend.

The Boy, The Witch & The Queen of Scots is a fast paced narrative filled with peril that youngsters will love. However, it is also fantastic for classroom use too. The historical aspect is self-evident and enhanced by a timeline of Mary Queen of Scots’ life at the end of the story. Add in a glossary of unfamiliar words to support literacy and a list of people and places that could be used for all manner of research projects and this is a book that provides huge scope for school use. There are also discussion questions that ensure The Boy, The Witch and The Queen of Scots will be an enduring and valuable class reader. I can envisage drama performances of the story as well as the excellent illustrations at the start of chapters being a prompt for art work.

The educational aspects of The Boy, The Witch and The Queen of Scots are a bonus, but the real strength in this fabulous story is the exciting way it brings history alive. With themes of loyalty, family, friendship, society, witchcraft and religion, there’s an aspect to engage any reader so that even the most demanding or reluctant readers will be entranced by the narrative. The book captivates the minds of young readers and illustrates for them that history isn’t just about the very famous, but is also about the Alexanders and Lizzies of the world – just like the young readers themselves. What could be better?

About Barbara Henderson

Barbara Henderson has lived in Scotland since 1991, somehow acquiring an MA in English Language and Literature, a husband, three children and a shaggy dog along the way. Having tried her hand at working as a puppeteer, relief librarian and receptionist, she now teaches Drama part-time at secondary school.

Writing predominantly for children, Barbara won the Nairn Festival Short Story Competition in 2012, the Creative Scotland Easter Monologue Competition in 2013 and was one of three writers shortlisted for the Kelpies Prize 2013. In 2015, wins include the US-based Pockets Magazine Fiction Contest and the Ballantrae Smuggler’s Story Competition.

Follow Barbara on Twitter @scattyscribbler or Instagram for more information, and read her blog. You’ll also find her author page on Facebook.

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