Daughter of a mere butcher, Nell nevertheless becomes best friends with Prince Edward -- "Ned," heir apparent to England's King Edward IV. When Ned is sent off for his training, Nell is lucky enough to be allowed to help out in the printing shop of William Caxton, England's first printer, staying in touch with Ned through letters. In 1483, Edward IV dies, and Ned's uncle, plotting to be crowned King Richard III, imprisons twelve-year-old Ned and his brother Dickon in the Tower of London. Nell and her brother are asked to stay in the Tower, too, to cheer the two young princes. Anglophiles know how this story ends: the princes are murdered. Or are they? Riffing on historical accounts of the "reappearance" of Dickon in later years, Zahler makes a tale of Nell's rescue of Ned's brother and her subsequent grieving for Ned. In an accessible, uncluttered style, she delicately balances historical fact with our own contemporary values. It's especially refreshing that Nell's literacy (rare, if not outright anachronistic, for a girl of her status) leads her to the works of medieval women writers for consolation and inspiration for her own future. Deirdre F. BakerJuly/August 2021 p.129(c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr 4--6--Twelve-year-old Nell Gould narrates this engrossing medieval tale that reimagines the fate of royal princes Edward "Ned" and Richard "Dickon," imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1483 by their ruthless uncle Richard III. Nell's father is a butcher for the royal family, and Nell grows up happily playing with the royal children. Nell's mother dies after giving birth to Nell's brother Toby, born the same day as the Queen's son Richard. Nell's life changes when nine-year-old Ned goes away to learn his kingly duties and Nell realizes the princesses have outgrown her. Since she's a commoner and can never marry Ned, Nell wants to become educated. Her father hires a printer to teach her to read and write English, and young Jacob, a printer's inker, offers to teach her Latin. Edward IV dies and Ned becomes king at age 12. When ambitious Richard imprisons Ned and Dickon in the Tower, Nell must figure out how to save them. The story starts a little slowly but picks up steam and intensity toward the end. Nell is a fiercely determined girl who faces loss and disappointment but is stronger for it. She's empowered to learn to read and write and even imagines she might become a writer one day. An author's note provides additional information about the real royal princes. All characters present as white. VERDICT Readers who love historical fiction featuring strong female characters and suspenseful court intrigue will enjoy this story that's perfect for fans of Karen Cushman, Tamora Pierce, and Diane Magras.--Sharon Rawlins, New Jersey State Lib., Trenton

Born on the same day in 1470 as Prince Edward (Ned), the heir to England's throne, and placed beside him in his cradle as an infant, Nell is a butcher's daughter, yet she and Toby, her little brother, become childhood friends of Ned, his younger brother, and their sisters. Nell and Ned form a close bond of friendship. While nine-year-old Ned is sent away for education, William Caxton teaches Nell to read, and she helps out in his printing shop. For most of the novel, the War of the Roses rages in the distance, but eventually Richard III takes his brother's throne and sends his nephews to the Tower of London. Sometime after Nell and Toby join them there as companions, assassins arrive to kill the two young princes. Nell's well-paced first-person narrative is consistently engaging. While elements of the story may seem unlikely, including Nell witnessing Richard III's death on Bosworth Field, Zahler skillfully weaves historical facts and period rumors into a fabric richly embroidered with imaginative storytelling. Enjoyable fare for historical fiction fans.

The life of a butcher's daughter is intertwined with those of the princes in the Tower of London. Born during the tumultuous years of England's Wars of the Roses, Nell, fictional daughter of John Gould, an actual historical royal butcher, grows up as a companion and dear friend to Prince Edward. Ned is the firstborn son of King Edward IV, but his uncle is Richard, Duke of Gloucester, portrayed here as grim and suspicious. When Ned is sent to the Welsh Marches to learn kingship, he writes to Nell in Latin and awakens in her a thirst for reading and writing. In short order, the king dies, Richard seizes the throne, and Nell and her little brother are given permission to visit Ned and his brother, who are being held in the Tower of London. The visit becomes a sojourn, and Nell acknowledges her love for Ned. Escaping to a nunnery after the royal murders, Nell finds sanctuary, witnesses the death of Richard in Bosworth Field, and finally understands that she can have a fulfilling, independent life. Characters both real and imaginary inhabit this multilayered, dramatic interpretation of royal intrigue. Nell has a keen eye for royal household details, adding depth and warmth to the tale. The afterword and timeline are essential reading for a full understanding of the story. A quick-paced foray into English history and one girl's self-discovery. (Historical fiction. 10-14) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.