Granuaile: Queen of Storms

Gr 9 Up—This gripping, action-packed account sheds light on the incredible life of the 16th-century Irish pirate queen, Granuaile (also known as Grace O'Malley). Readers learn how Granuaile inherited her father's shipping business after his death, engaging in seafaring, trade, and piracy. As the daughter of Chieftain Eoghan O'Malley, she saw that many opportunities were closed off to her because she was female, yet she overcame these limitations, becoming an expert fighter and sailor while also having children and raising a family. Her feats were legendary: she fought the English and met with Queen Elizabeth I to petition the ruler for the release of her sons and half-brother. Readers will especially enjoy the dialogue between these two powerful women. Dramatic full-color illustrations keep readers turning pages. Some violence and nudity makes this selection more appropriate for high schoolers. There is a brief biography appended.