A Brief History of Montmaray by Michelle Cooper (Montmaray Journals)

Sophie has just received the most beautiful journal from her older brother Toby. He is away at school, and also happens to be heir to the throne of Montmaray. Did I mention she is also a princess? Not the kind of princess you think of from fairy tales. They do live in a castle of sorts (though Veronica, her cousin, is quick to point out that it's a 'fortified house'), but they aren't surrounded by finery and servants. In fact, the island holds only the three girls when you add her little sister Henry (Henrietta, but don't call her that), her uncle King John, the housekeeper Rebecca, and a handful of villagers (at least at first).

Things start to get interesting when a Nazi boat lands on shore. A historian tells them he is there doing research, but later that night he is found sneaking around their library! His companion is not so lucky, having run into King John (who, if you must know, is pretty batty). Sophie and Veronica take a harrowing midnight trip, knowing what could happen if the Nazis were to discover the truth. The next day, reinforcements arrive looking for their comrade. Otto Rahn himself is treated to King John's hospitality, and while Otto suffers only humiliation (and a dog bite), John has a stroke. They vow revenge, and rush to seek medical treatment for Otto.

Soon enough, the king is dead, and arrangements are being made for the girls to leave Montmaray. They fear retaliation from the Nazis. The girls don't want to leave, especially Veronica. At the funeral and coronation of Toby, Rebecca comes out with some shocking news. Could it be true? Is there another heir?

Sophie's journals follow the tales of the FitzOsbornes from their relative childhood into their young adulthood. Each is forced to grow up, frequently through adversity. While not the most original of stories, it does hold with adventure stories of old, and will keep the attention of most readers. Recommended for middle school, early high school.

"After Toby went away to school, Veronica and I mostly taught ourselves out of the library. Veronica, of course, proved to be much better at improving her mind than I was. (One could argue that this was because she had a better mind to begin with. However, one could also point out that I've squandered countless hours reading romantic novels, planning my future trousseau and daydreaming about Simon, hours that could have been far better employed learning French grammar or reading Plato,)" (Cooper, 2009).

*Library Link*

If you liked this, check out:

The FitzOsbornes in Exile by Michelle Cooper (Montmaray Journals, Book 2)
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
The Book Thief by Marcus Zuzak

Cooper, Michelle. (2009). A Brief History of Montmaray. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Cooper, Michelle & Bering, Emma. (2010). A Brief History of Montmaray. [sound recording] New York: Random House.