The Boy, the Witch & The Queen of Scots

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About the Book: 

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 the angry clouds of Reformation Scotland gather around the young Queen. 

It seems that Alexander must spy – or die.

Reviews: 

A spellbinding children’s novel. SCOTS MAGAZINE

I have said it many times, but I struggle to find a children’s author who writes better than Barbara Henderson… The Boy, The Witch & The Queen of Scots is education and entertainment in a perfect blend. LINDASBOOKBAG

It’s a great way to get history into children and even as an adult I learnt a lot. HELEN BYLES, Blogger

A true gem in children's literature, The Boy, the Witch & The Queen of Scots is a triumph that brings history to life in a way that both educates and entertains. MR RIPLEY, Blogger

Barbara Henderson has an incredible talent for combining fascinanting aspects of Scottish history with compelling characters and a thrilling story. KATE HEAP, Scope for the Imagination, Blogger

A fast-paced historical account of the challenges faced at the time told through the eyes of a young boy, this novel should be in every classroom and beyond. MY BOOK CORNER, Blog

I highly recommend The Boy, The Witch and The Queen of Scots to both primary and secondary school librarians, I am sure that this gripping adventure will provide enjoyment and information to a readership aged 10 years and above. There are a few pages of factual detail that provide extra historical context at the end of the book. V’S VIEWFROMTHEBOOKSHELVES

Fantastic resources to be used by children. Definitely one to add to your classroom library! MRS MAC MAKES

I highly recommend this book for children aged 9 to 13 years, though many older teenagers and adults with an interest in Scottish history would love it too. READING PEBBLES, Blog

The Boy, The Witch & The Queen of Scots is a thrilling, gripping historical adventure. SUSAN BROWNRIGG, Children’s Author

The action started straight away which will hook children in. RACHEL BRUCE, Teacher and Historian

A fascinating glimpse into the past – perfect for the primary classroom. STEVEN KENYON, Teacher Educator for English and History

I was completely gripped by this page-turner! Barbara has tapped into a truly unique perspective of one of Scotland’s most fascinating eras! TRACY HARROWER-RENNIE, Teacher and Historian

Full of intrigue, adventure and treachery, it is totally gripping. HELEN, BookSirens

Information for teachers:

DOWNLOAD TEACHING RESOURCES

Barbara's Website

These resources have been assembled and come in four parts:

Part 1: Preliminary activities and historical background

Part 2: Chapter-by-chapter comprehension/discussion questions for The Boy, the Witch and the Queen of Scots – including reflection, inference, evaluation, analysis and VOCP.

Part 3: Classroom activities (interdisciplinary learning designed to be used throughout the novel study).

Part 4: Useful links to Historic Environment Scotland resources relating to Mary Queen of Scots, and to other relevant sites and organisations.

They are suitable for use within classes from P4-S1 covering Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes for English and Literacy, Drama, Art and Health and Wellbeing among others.

You are welcome to order class sets through your usual channels. If you are interested in purchasing directly from Luath, please contact us.

About the Author:

BARBARA HENDERSON is an Inverness-based children’s writer and Drama teacher. Her energetic school visits take her across the length and breadth of Scotland, and sometimes beyond. As a teacher, she loves to get young people on their feet as they respond to stories. ‘Writing is like magic,’ she says. ‘I see something in my imagination, and I try to capture it by writing it down – nothing more than black marks on white paper. Much later, young people see these black marks on white paper and suddenly they see something too, feel something of their own. I cannot think of anything more special than that.’ Scottish by Inclination is Barbara’s first foray into adult non-fiction. She shares her home with her teenage son, her long-suffering husband and a scruffy Schnauzer called Merry.