Anna of Byzantium by Tracy Barrett

Anna of Byzantium by Tracy Barrett

For fans of Joan of Arc and Alexander the Great, comes "a gripping saga of alliances, intrigues, deceits, and treacheries" about Anna Comnena of the Byzantine Empire.

Anna Comnena has every reason to feel entitled. She's a princess, her father's firstborn and his chosen successor. Someday she expects to sit on the throne and rule the vast Byzantine Empire. So the birth of a baby brother doesn't perturb her. Nor do the "barbarians" from foreign lands, who think only a son should ascend to power. Anna is as dismissive of them as are her father and his most trusted adviser--his mother, a manipulative woman with whom Anna studies the art of diplomacy. Anna relishes her lessons, proving adept at checkmating opponents in swift moves of mental chess. But as she matures into a young woman, her arrogance and intelligence threaten her grandmother. Anna will be no one's puppet. Almost overnight, Anna sees her dreams of power wrenched from her and bestowed on her little brother. Bitter at the betrayal, Anna waits to avenge herself, and to seize what is rightfully hers.

Praise for Anna of Byzantium-
A Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book
An ALA Quick Pick
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
A Booklist Editor's Choice
A Booklist Top Ten Historical Fiction Pick

STAR " Anna of Byzantium involves readers in a gripping saga of alliances, intrigues, deceits, and treacheries worthy of a place among the tragic myths." - The Bulletin, Starred review

"In the tradition of E. L. Konigsburg's A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver and Karen Cushman's Catherine, Called Birdy comes this story of a real-life historical figure, Anna Commena, groomed to be the sovereign of the Byzantine empire...Barrett uses an effective first-person narrative to draw readers into Anna's story, and the author's precise use of detail helps re-create Anna's world, the palace of Constantinople in the ninth century. . . Readers will be caught up in...this exciting read."-Booklist, Boxed review

"A fascinating mix of history, mystery, and intrigue."-The Horn Book Magazine

"Barrett does a remarkable job of painting moods and emotions with spare, elegant sentences. . . This splendid novel about a neglected period of history is the perfect choice. . . Hard to imagine it being any better written." -VOYA

"This wonderfully engaging novel both entertains and serves as a lively history lesson with its well-researched background, dramatic plot and dimensional characters. Barrett's descriptive, engaging prose will draw readers into a fascinating historical time, filled with political intrigue and a complex, admirable teen protagonist who faces her changing future with an inspiring combination of heart and mind."- Wichita Eagle

Tracy Barrett is the award-winning author of the Sherlock Files series, King of Ithaka, Cool in Summer, and Anne of Byzantium, among other stories for young readers. Her works have won numerous awards, including an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, a Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, and a New York Public Library Book for Teens. She is a Vanderbilt University professor of Italian language and civilization, and she lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her family.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780440415367
ISBN 10	0440415365
Title	Anna of Byzantium
Author	Tracy Barrett
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Random House USA Inc
Year published	2000-10-10
Number of pages	224
Prizes	Winner of ALA Best Books for Young Adults 2000, Winner of Texas Lonestar Reading List 2001
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.