Biography. A biography is the story of a person’s life, told by another person. As you read about Elizabeth, note the ways in which author Milton Meltzer creates an image of Elizabeth and her world, even though he never met her or even lived during her time.
Concrete Details. Concrete details are specific words that name objects or actions or provide descriptions of those objects or actions. These specific details help the piece of writing to provide clear, concise, and in-depth information to the reader. As you read, find concrete details in the selection that make the events seem more real or personal. For example, pay attention to the description of Elizabeth’s summer festival on page 773. How does the author make that event realistic for the reader?
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• History Connection. From Alfred the Great, in the ninth century, to Elizabeth II today, 56 men and women have reigned as kings or queens of England. Some of these monarchs occupied the throne for only a few months, while others reigned for so long—and so popularly—that their names became linked to entire periods of history. One such ruler was Elizabeth I, who reigned from 1558 until her death in 1603.
• In the long history of the English monarchy, only five women have held the position of sole ruler of England: Mary I (1553–1558), Elizabeth I (1558–1603), Anne (1702–1714), Victoria (1837–1901), and Elizabeth II (1962 to present). Each woman came to the throne because the presiding male ruler or heir had died, or because there was a lack of a male heir altogether.
• Elizabeth not only inherited the crown from her father, King Henry VIII, but also the friction that he created between the monarchy in England and the headquarters of the Catholic Church in Rome.
You might find it helpful to create a time line of Elizabeth’s life to see how the pieces fit together.
Think of a leader you admire. Perhaps this person is the head of a country, president of a company, or someone you know personally. What qualities does this person possess that make him or her an effective leader?
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