In Cleopatra: The Girl Who Would Be King, author Jackie French introduces us to a young Cleopatra, on the run with her father and missing home after being forced out of Egypt. Cleopatra is far from the powerful ruler she will one day become.
She’s constantly questioning herself, trying to make sense of a new and uncertain world, navigating danger, alliances and survival. Cleopatra feels real; she worries about how she looks, feels out of place, and doesn’t have all the answers.
Yet she reads, listens and learns, and that’s where her inner strength begins to grow. Slowly, we see her start to trust her thinking, her voice and her ability to lead, as we journey with her through adventures and triumphs.
While Cleopatra isn’t called ‘king’ in the story, the title reframes how we think about power and leadership. It reminds us leadership isn’t defined by gender, but by courage, intelligence and belief in yourself.
Young readers will see themselves in Cleopatra. They’ll understand you don’t have to feel ready to be strong. You can still be learning, unsure, and grow into leadership.
Perfect for schools or home reading.
Reviewed by Shelley Ware
Age Guide 9+
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jackie French AM is an award-winning writer, wombat negotiator, the 2014–2015 Australian Children’s Laureate and the 2015 Senior Australian of the Year. In 2016, Jackie became a Member of the Order of Australia for her contribution to children’s literature and her advocacy for youth literacy. She is regarded as one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors and writes across all genres, from picture books — including her much loved bestseller Diary of a Wombat — history, fantasy, ecology and sci-fi, to her much-loved historical fiction for a variety of age groups.
‘A book can change a child’s life. A book can change the world’ was the primary philosophy behind Jackie’s two-year term as Laureate.
Visit Jackie French’s website here
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