Carolyn Meyer is the acclaimed author of more than fifty books for young people. Her many award-winning novels include Mary, Bloody Mary--an ABA's Pick of the Lists, an NCSS-CBC Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies, and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults--and Marie, Dancing, a Book Sense Pick. She lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and you can visit her online at ReadCarolyn.com
Cleopatra Confesses. Meyer, Carolyn (Author) Jun 2011. 304 p. Simon
& Schuster/Paula Wiseman, hardcover, $16.99. (9781416987277).
Moving beyond popular, archetypal images of Cleopatra, this
historical novel focuses on the Egyptian queen's childhood and
coming-of-age, especially the bitter struggle for power in her own
family. Narrated in an immediate, first-person, present-tense
voice, Cleopatra begins her story when she is 10 years old and is
close with both her tutor and her father, who wants her to succeed
him, and she is hated by her two older sisters. Then her father
returns with a handsome Roman, Marcus Antonius, and at 18,
Cleopatra becomes queen. Meyer has conducted extensive research
into her subject, including travel to Egypt, and the thorough
details about traditional rites, luxurious lifestyles, and social
and political history occasionally threaten to overwhelm the story.
What will hold readers most is the young queen's personal
viewpoint, especially the extreme sibling rivalry. Could her
sisters kill her? Could her little brother? And who are the spies?
--"BOOKLIST", July 1, 2011
Cleopatra Confesses"2011. 304pp. $16.99 hc. Paula Wiseman Books
(Simon & Schuster). 978-1-4169-8727-7. Grades 6-8" Told from
Cleopatra's point of view, Meyer's novel provides insight about
Egypt's enigmatic queen. Divided into ten parts, the novel focuses
on significant events in Cleopatra's life. After her sisters'
treacheries and the death of her father, it is decreed that
Cleopatra must marry her younger brother and they would rule Egypt
together. Determined to be the sole ruler, Cleopatra plots her next
move which involves Julius Caesar. The story ends years later with
Cleopatra's enemies at the gate and her suicide. The author also
includes additional historical notes at the end of the novel that
enhance the reader's understanding of the time period. - "Library
Media Connection RECOMMENDED" (October 2011)
Gr 7-10-This fictional memoir of Egypt's alluring, mysterious queen
resonates with historical authenticity, plausible emotional
dilemmas, and passion for power and survival. Living among a cast
of both historical and fictional characters, Cleopatra narrates her
story from age 10 in 59 BC to her death at age 39. A Greek
descendant of Alexander the Great, she is portrayed as a keen
observer of her father's oppressive rule and unpopular submission
to Rome; as an intellectual who studies the papyrus scrolls in the
Library at Alexandria and learns the language of the Egyptian
people; as a patient, shrewd competitor among her siblings for
Ptolemy XII's throne; and as an adolescent who seeks friendship on
her own terms with Charmion, a loyal court dancer who later reveals
their shared lineage. Key events in history are captured in this
riveting, personal tale that seeks to fill gaps in documentation
with realistic dialogue, descriptions of daily routines, daring
marketplace adventures, royal excursions up the Nile, and poignant
reflections on the fear and anxiety of living among a ruthless,
ambitious family. Readers will savor the angst and "confessions" of
an adolescent Cleopatra who secures a place in history as a
charismatic, determined royal who raises an army against her
brother after being banished from Egypt and who forges political
and romantic liaisons with Julius Caesar and later Mark Antony to
save Egypt and herself. A rich assortment of characters, places,
and events is woven into this appealing, well-paced, informative
examination of Cleopatra's dramatic life and times."-Gerry Larson,
Durham School of the Arts, NC ""- SLJ July 2011"
Cleopatra Confesses"Carolyn Meyer. S&S/Wiseman, $16.99 (304p)
ISBN 978-1-4169-8727-7" Before she was a queen, Cleopatra was a
girl, and Meyer's incarnation of the future monarch longs to be
treated as normal--wandering the marketplace, learning to
dance--even as she secretly hopes to someday rule Egypt. Meyer's
short chapters can occasionally make the narrative feel choppy, but
her lush, detail-rich prose ably evokes Cleopatra's life as a young
princess, beginning at age 10 and continuing on until she turns 22.
During this time, readers are treated to royal intrigue and the
cutthroat politics of Cleopatra's two older sisters, Tryphaena and
Berenike, who are desperate to prevent Cleopatra's rule, since she
is the favorite daughter of their father, King Ptolemy XII. This is
sibling rivalry at its most vicious: crossing her sisters could
cost Cleopatra her life, let alone her throne. The arrival of
Marcus Antonius midway through the novel (and later of Julius
Caesar) provides only the briefest hint of romance--Meyer (The Bad
Queen) roots her heroine squarely in the realm of politics.
Narrating with the poise and confidence of a born leader, this
Cleopatra should win readers over. Ages 12-up. --"Publishers
Weekly", May 9, 2011
4Q 3P M J S A/YA Meyer, Carolyn. Cleopatra Confesses. Simon &
Schuster, 2011. 304p. $16.99. 978-1-4169-8727-7. Biblio, Source
Notes, Chronology. With this latest title, Meyer continues her
trend in writing engaging, historical fiction. As with her previous
books on historical figures, this story is told in first person,
providing readers with an intimate feel to Cleopatra's life from
age ten to her death by suicide. As Meyer relates in the author's
notes at the end of the book, Cleopatra remains a largely
mysterious figure as there is little information about her life.
Despite this scarcity of information, Meyer weaves a plausible plot
integrating historical facts and her own creative narrative,
complete with secondary characters that may or may not have
existed. Cleopatra is portrayed as a beautiful, resourceful leader
whose quest for power and royalty appear to be based on an
altruistic belief that she truly can make a positive difference for
Egypt and its people. Value-added resources at the end of the book
include the author's notes, a bibliography, websites, a time line,
a list of Egyptian gods and goddesses, and an explanation of the
Egyptian calendar. This well-crafted tale will definitely appeal to
fans of historical fiction dealing with ancient Egypt and those who
have a particular interest in one of the world's most fascinating
female leaders. In addition, the book will serve nicely as an
introduction to historical fiction for book clubs focusing on this
genre, or as a read-aloud to introduce students in social studies
classes to the time period.--Donna Miller."VOYA June 2011"
4Q 3P M J S A/YA Meyer, Carolyn. Cleopatra Confesses. Simon &
Schuster, 2011. 304p. $16.99. 978-1-4169-8727-7. Biblio, Source
Notes, Chronology. With this latest title, Meyer continues her
trend in writing engaging, historical fiction. As with her previous
books on historical figures, this story is told in first person,
providing readers with an intimate feel to Cleopatra's life from
age ten to her death by suicide. As Meyer relates in the author's
notes at the end of the book, Cleopatra remains a largely
mysterious figure as there is little information about her life.
Despite this scarcity of information, Meyer weaves a plausible plot
integrating historical facts and her own creative narrative,
complete with secondary characters that may or may not have
existed. Cleopatra is portrayed as a beautiful, resourceful leader
whose quest for power and royalty appear to be based on an
altruistic belief that she truly can make a positive difference for
Egypt and its people. V
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