The Children of the King
Sonya Hartnett
SYNOPSIS:
Three children have been sent to live in the countryside, safe from the war in
London. When they find two boys hiding in a castle, the past and future come together
to make an extraordinary adventure.
A hauntingly beautiful story from one of Australia's most acclaimed writers for
adults and children.
WRITING STYLE
Like The Silver Donkey and Midnight Zoo, this is another beautiful tale that will
move you to tears. Sonya writes with a lyricism that can be enjoyed by readers of
different ages and reading ability without anyone losing sight of the story or the
portrayal of theme and character. It has complex historical content and multilayered story telling that will be perfect for classroom discussions and for
interpretation on many levels: an adventure story, a ghost story, war, persecution,
independence.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sonya Hartnett is a highly regarded award-winning author both in Australia and
internationally. She was the recipient of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for
children's literature, the world’s largest prize for children’s and youth literature.
Sonya lives in Melbourne with her dog, Shiloh.
EDITORIAL COMMENTS
Like The Silver Donkey and Midnight Zoo, this is another beautiful tale that will move
you to tears. It's a story that will appeal to all ages on a multiplicity of levels that is
quite breathtaking. Sonya writes with a lyricism that can be enjoyed by readers of
different ages and reading ability without anyone losing sight of the story or the
portrayal of theme and character. Given that it covers two periods in English history, the
book has enormous educational potential. The story begins in London at the start of
World War Two; and then, through a story being told to the children, moves back in
Reading Notes 2010
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time to 15th century England. Along the way it deals with themes such as loss, grieving,
family, friendship, war, power and violence.
STUDY NOTES/ACTIVITIES FOR TEACHERS
BACKGROUND READING
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Which countries fought in World War Two?
How did the people of London prepare for bombings?
What was life like in England at this time?
Why were the children sent out of London?
Who were the King of England and the Royal Family during WWII? What did
they do at this time? Did they escape from London to seek safety? Why?
THEMES:
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The Princes in the Tower
Attitudes to war
The impact of war
Might crushes right
Power
The impact of the past
Courage
Growing up
CHARACTERS:
Cecily Lockwood
Recently turned 12, Cecily is the daughter of wealthy Londoners. She is a rather
precocious and naïve child, having been raised in a very sheltered existence. She clearly
adores and is adored by her father. His child raised her face to him – a blue-eyed,
slightly chubby and rather plain face, praised by her father as beautiful from the
moment she was born.
Cecily lives somewhat in the shadow of her older brother Jeremy, the heir of Heron
Hall. Like many girls of her time, she struggles to find a real place in the world. Her
schooling has been taken less seriously than that of her brother and she has been
protected from much of the real world. She relishes the presence of May Bright, the
evacuee she adopts, as someone over whom she can exert control and shape to her
whim: There was, of course, the matter of the evacuee, who was prone to bouts of
independence and required supervision; but Cecily had taken to the role of instructor
with ease, and found it hardly any bother to be constantly criticising and instructing
(p43).
 How does Cecily react when told she is going to Heron Hall? What does this
suggest about her understanding of the war and the situation in London?
 What does it reveal about the sort of life she has led?
 Cecily’s father sends her a letter and a pretty bangle (p57). What does this
suggest about her and the way she has been raised?
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When Cecily chooses a war orphan it is like a game to her. She selects May
almost as you would select a puppy from a pet shop. What does this reveal about
her?
How does Cecily treat May when they arrive at Heron Hall? Why might she do
this?
Why is she determined to exert her power over May at all times?
How does she react to Jeremy’s behaviour?
Although older than May, Cecily seems to be a lot younger in many ways. How
has this been depicted by the author? Why might this have been the case?
Jeremy Lockwood
At 14, Jeremy is frustrated at his parents’ attempts to treat him like a child. He wants to
be useful and to have a part in the war effort rather than being protected and set to
Heron Hall, out of harm’s way.
He is clearly fond of his sister, but, like many teenage boys, is growing apart from her.
His relationship with his mother is also under strain as he finds it hard to respect her
selfishness and lack of involvement in the war.
 Why is Jeremy so frustrated at having to go to Heron Hall?
 Why will he be the heir to Heron Hall?
 What does this reveal about his future life?
 Why does Jeremy think they should adopt one of the evacuated children for the
duration of the war?
 Why does Jeremy clash so badly with his mother?
 Does he do the right thing in running back to London?
 Does this actually demonstrate the maturity he wishes to prove?
 Jeremy’s altruistic nature, or his desire to help others, is apparent at many times
throughout the story. What examples can you find?
Mr Lockwood
The children’s father clearly adores his children, playing games with them and showing
affection in a number of different ways. His decision to send his wife and children out
of London in order to keep them safe, shows his caring and love for his family. He is
clearly wealthy and plays an important part in the war, although Jeremy is frustrated at
his lack of actual involvement as he stays safe and sheltered in the flat in London rather
than actually fighting.
Mrs Heloise Lockwood
Mrs Lockwood is typical of women of her class and era. She is a loving mother, yet
struggles to really identify with and understand her children. Heloise finds the war
difficult because of the impact it has on her own life: It had come as a shock to many,
and certainly to Mrs Heloise Lockwood, to discover that the blackout made velvet and
silver and brocade and silk as comfortless as tin and tar (p6). She is quite self absorbed
and is happy for her children to do as they wish, provided she is not disturbed in any
way. Their mother was not the type to argue long, fearing it gave her wrinkles and
aware from experience that she could turn her back on anything that came to displease
her (p24). She has little understanding of or involvement in the real world. Given the
daily atrocities that are occurring in Europe at that time, her complaints that Uncle
Peregrine’s story is too brutal are somewhat ironic. Clearly she thinks the children (and
she) should not be exposed to anything unpleasant.
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Peregrine Lockwood
Mr Lockwood’s older brother is the current owner of Heron Hall, a man around whom
the world fell gracefully into place (p20). He is a somewhat mysterious figure to the
children who, although they are clearly fond of him, know little about him, having been
clearly instructed that the events of his past are not to be discussed. Peregrine is a
slightly sad figure, having lost his wife and child many years ago, and living a solitary
life ever since. His library and knowledge of the world reveal his intelligence and, like
Jeremy, he is a little frustrated by his lack of direct involvement in the war movement,
caused in his case by the effects of a childhood bout of polio.
Peregrine shows true affection for the children and, unlike their mother, is not
dismissive of them. By telling them the story of Snow Cave, he shows that he respects
their maturity and their need to understand the world around them.
May Enid Bright
May is symbolic of the children who were evacuees during the war. Her father enlists to
fight and dies in battle, leaving his wife and daughter behind. May’s mother has no
choice but to find work and sends her daughter away to enable her to work as well as to
keep May safe. Unlike the Lockwoods, May does not come from a wealthy family, yet
she is not inferior in any way.
Although younger than Cecily, she is far more understanding and aware than Cecily and
does not give in to the younger girl’s demands and expectations. It is May who comes to
realise the identity of the two boys in Snow Castle and it is she who understands what
must be done to lay them to rest and to bring Jeremy home. She and Uncle Peregrine
share an interesting connection as he admires her quiet but strong and intelligent
disposition. Perhaps the children’s decision to adopt May was not a random one and
she was destined to go to Heron Hall?
SETTING
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The story is set in England in during WWII (1939-1945). Apart from the actual
events, how can we tell that it is set 70+ years ago? Consider the language,
clothing worn (character descriptions), class attitudes etc.
How can you tell that the two boys come from another era entirely?
Draw or find an image of what you think Heron Hall looks like.
THEMES
The Princes in the Tower
The Duke in the story Peregrine tells the children is the man who becomes Richard III
of England.
There are many different versions of what happened to the princes, Edward and
Richard, the sons of King Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville. Students can research
their story. After researching, have them decide whether they think Richard III is guilty
or innocent.
To this day, followers of this story are determined to either condemn or vindicate
Richard III as the murderer of the princes. No one knows the true story. What is certain,
however, is that these two innocent boys were unwittingly involved in a story of power,
greed and corruption.
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What clues are there that these boys are from a different time and social class?
Do you think Uncle Peregrine knows of their existence?
How does May help to free the boys and give them peace?
What does this reveal about May’s own father?
Why do the princes need to be at rest before Jeremy can return to Heron Hall?
What are the similarities or parallels between the story of the princes and the
situation in Europe at the time of this story?
Attitudes to war
 While Peregrine believes it is important to talk to the children about the war,
Heloise takes a very different stance. ‘It’s utterly drab. What will happen will
happen. Discussing it at the dinner table will make no difference to our fate at
all. For the moment, the war is far away. It hasn’t touched any of us terribly. So
let us spare ourselves while we can’ (p96).
Which do you think has the better opinion and why?
 Jeremy is like many young men in his desire to be a part of the action. Why did
so many young men want to join up, even after having seen the devastation of
the Great War?
 How does Peregrine feel about not having been able to join his mates and fight
in the First World War?
 Would you want to be involved if war broke out today? Why?
 ‘It’s a privilege to have them in the village, the evacuees. A privilege and an
honour. (p88). Why might the grocer have felt this way?
 ‘There’s been five or six already made a break for home. Packed their bags and
disappeared in the night, trying to go back to London (p88). Why might some of
the evacuees have tried to return home?
 Was it the right thing to do to evacuate the women and children?
 How might this have had a significant impact on their lives?
 Heloise Lockwood asks her son: ‘Is there something wrong with wishing to be
safe?’
‘There is, when it’s other people who are dying so you can be kept that way’
(p176).
Do you agree with Jem?
 Do you think the Royal Family did the right thing by staying in London? Or do
you agree with Heloise that that made them a target and endangered the country?
 May said, ‘They played army and warships.’
‘Any boys would play those games. They always play those games. They think
it’s fun’ (p199).
Why have boys always played war games? How is the game different from the
reality?
 ‘– but we’ll also teach them that war is necessary, and that dying for your
country, when your whole life is ahead of you, is a good and honourable and
glorious thing. And if that’s not delivering a child into the hands of the enemy,
then I don’t know what is. Really, I don’t know what is.’ (p211)
Should war be celebrated the way it is?
The Impact of War
 It seemed peculiar that the war, which was huge and serious and complicated,
should bother to disrupt even the littlest life – like a tiger so bad-tempered it
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would crush a ladybird (p17). How can the war be seen to have an impact on
everyone and everything? Make a list of the examples given in the novel.
How did the war change the role of women in society?
Peregrine tells Cecily, ‘Absolutely and without question we have to fight. We
had to fight, and we have to keep fighting….The consequences of not fighting
would be worse…. ‘Soldiers have died and many more will die, there’s no doubt
about that. But there are times when men’s lives can’t matter as much as what
they must be used for.’ (p56)
What does he mean by this? What must men’s lives be used for?
Sometimes the war feels so far away, the whole thing seems a peculiar dream.
Until, of course, you hear of a local boy going missing or being killed (p85).
What impact did the war have on those outside of London?
I’m sure they’ll be perfectly all right. To think otherwise is simply
encouragement to the enemy.’
‘Encouragement to the enemy! I didn’t mean it like that –’
‘And yet that is how it sounds. Encouraging to our enemy.’ (p86).
How could admitting fear be seen to be encouraging for the enemy?
How were people encouraged to behave at this time?
‘You can laugh, little lady, but it’s a terrible thing. A sweet boy talking about
killing people. Quite ready to step up and kill people. That’s what this war’s
done.’
‘Jem couldn’t kill a butterfly!’
‘But that’s the thing, see? A boy who can’t kill a butterfly wants to kill a man.
Where’s the good in that? Where’s the victory in that?’ (p130).
How can war be seen to change people? Why is it acceptable to kill during war?
Consider the notion that nobody wins in war. How does this apply to the above
statement?
When Peregrine returns from London he describes what he has seen. Your
existence is stripped down to nothing but chance. Everything you’ve ever hoped,
believed, achieved – all of it is less meaningful than dust, it can’t help you, it
won’t spare you, if your feet have you standing in precisely the wrong place’
(p137).
In what way can war be seen to be a great social leveller?
May provides a different viewpoint: ‘It’s like what my mum says about France:
all the fancy generals stay far away, only the ordinary soldiers get shot. Only
ordinary people will get squished by bombs. All the important people will be
safe.’ (p158)
In what way can the important people be seen to be safer than the ordinary
people?
‘Children have always borne the brunt of decisions made by adults,’ said
Peregrine. ‘No child is responsible for the bombs that will fall on London
tonight, but plenty will pay a dreadful price nonetheless’ (p151).
In what way can war be seen to affect the innocent rather than the real enemy?
Might crushes right
 What do you think this statement (p101) means?
 Do you agree that in many cases the desire for power is a greater motivation
than doing what is right?
 What does this reveal about human nature?
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In what way do you think the Duke’s behaviour was influenced by his personal
experiences that ‘might is right’?
What does this suggest about the way we need to treat other people?
Is it surprising that having had a bad experience as a result of the misuse of
power, the Duke is able to inflict the same pain on others? Would you have
thought it might make him determined to do ‘right’? Why does he not do so?
How is this same statement applicable to the situation in Britain at the time of
this story?
Is it still applicable today?
Can you think of some real life examples in which ‘might’ has been seen to
crush ‘right’?
‘I was angry that things happen which shouldn’t happen. I was angry that might
equals right. Because it doesn’t. It never does. And being angry gave me
strength. That’s what told me to keep going. Not a heavenly thing – a human
thing.’ (p260).
Do you agree with Jeremy that might never equals right?
Power
 History repeats itself: the battle for power is fought over and over again (p141).
What examples of the struggle for power can you identify throughout history?
 Why are people motivated by power?
 What benefits can be gained by power?
 How does the Snow Castle story suggest people are affected by the acquisition
of power?
 Is power in itself a dangerous thing?
 Can it be used for good?
 What other personal attributes are needed in order for power to be utilised well?
 How can Hitler’s ambitions be seen to be attributed to the notion of power?
 What warning does Peregrine give about power? ‘Perhaps you’re right.
Wickedness often wears fancy clothes, dines on rich food, has money, controls
armies, rules nations . . . but it never seems to know joy. Peace, laughter, trust,
ease: these things flee from wickedness like sparrows from the shadow of a
hawk’ (p189).
 ‘in the quest for power, truth is always the first thing left behind’ (p189).
What does this mean? Do you agree this is true?
 ‘What makes a boy want to do such a thing? What makes men create a world
where a boy feels he must do such things?’….
…‘Power.’
Heloise smiled rancorously. ‘Ah yes, how could I forget. Idiotic power. So
precious that a man will extinguish the lives of thousands, hundreds of
thousands, just so he can hold it in his hands for a while. So precious that the
life of a child is nothing to him – absolutely nothing’ (p209).
What is the price of power? Who suffers as a result of the desire for power?
 ‘But a curious aspect of power is that, like a bull being baited, it must forever be
in a fever to guard every flank (p221).
What does this mean? Is power worth this?
The impact of the past
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‘Ah, but this tale reaches across the centuries, into today. If this story hadn’t
happened, it wouldn’t be our King and Queen cleaning up after the bomb, but
two completely different people. If this story hadn’t happened, our King and
Queen might be running a pet store. Don’t think history doesn’t touch you,
Cecily. The past lives everywhere’ (p186).
Can we escape History or the past? Is Peregrine right that the past influences
every aspect of today?
‘Every castle is haunted. Hauntings are as common as cats. Ghosts are nothing
to fear. It’s real life you should worry about’ (p61).
Why is real life more terrifying than ghosts?
Why do you think the ghosts of the two boys were still at Snow Castle after so
many years?
How does May help them to rest?
‘It does have something to do with you. You’re children, just like us – just like
all children, ever. You’re frightened and brave, but other children are frightened
and brave too. May is. The children in London, they are. You’ve never been the
only ones to feel this way.’ (p238)
In what way can the princes’ story be seen to be any child’s story?
How does the story of Snow Castle help Jeremy to achieve what he does?
Courage
 ‘You are brave. Brave enough to kill a man!’
Jeremy’s fine face, already drained, paled further on being reminded of these
words. ‘I wouldn’t want to do that,’ he said scratchily, ‘but I would if I had to.
That’s what life is, I think: doing what you have to do. Isn’t it? (p181).
What does it mean to show courage?
 Prince Edward confesses, ‘I am afraid. I was brought up to be bold, to know my
mind, to believe I wouldn’t fail: but all I am is what you say. I’m nothing but a
frightened boy’(p167).
Why would a prince be raised to be brave? Is it weakness to show fear?
 Do you think today’s royal family has been raised the same way?
 Edward says ‘If it were just myself here, I would not fear. They could do with me
as they please – (p166)
Why would he be more courageous if his little brother were not there?
 Is Jem courageous or foolhardy in going back to London?
Growing Up
 Is Jeremy’s behaviour and the clashes he has with his mother simply a result of
his adolescence? [Cecily] didn’t know what more to say to a boy who was being
punished so vengefully for the crime of growing up (p180).
 Cecily tells Jem their mother is scared of him ‘Because you’re not going to be
the person she wants you to be.’ (p180)
What does she mean by this?
 Do you think Mrs Lockwood is just scared of letting go?
 Parents claim they want their children to live happy independent lives. Do you
agree this is true, or do parents really want their children to be who they (the
parents) want them to be?
 As the heir to Heron Hall, is Jeremy going to be allowed to be who he wants to
be?
Reading Notes 2010
Page 8 of 10
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In what way can society or family constrain our futures?
But he had left that place of somewhere safe, and as night sunk around him he
thought of all the boys who had gone before him, the ones who endured fearful
trials on mountaintops, on desert plains, in frail canoes, on horseback, in the
heart of jungles, on the rims of volcanos; trials of pain, confusion, skill, wisdom,
strength and, most of all, of courage; terrible tests of a boy’s worthiness of
becoming a warrior. Jeremy wanted to spend this night outside, as far as
possible from somewhere safe. Himself against the bombs: he craved it (p248)
In what way can Jeremy’s return to London be seen to be a rite of passage?
WRITING STYLE:
Point of View
The story is told predominantly through Cecily’s eyes. As a result, the reader only sees
her interpretation of events.
 What impact does this have on the story?
 How does it affect our reading of events and characters?
Activity:
 Select a key scene or event from the story and, adopting the persona of a
different character from the novel, re-write that scene from the other character’s
point of view. Does the scene change in any way?
Poetic Language
Sonya Hartnett’s writing is full of vivid descriptions and poetic phrases. For example:
o nothing could cage the birdlike flutter of her mind (p 12).
o Her thumbnail, incompletely chewed, was singing a siren’s song (p13).
o a luggage van following like an elephant behind a black beetle (p13).
 Make a list of any other effective descriptions as you read.
 How does this writing style add to the effectiveness of the story?
Intertextuality
Intertextuality occurs when one text is woven through another, highlighting the parallels
and similarities.
 How does Peregrine’s story of Snow Castle help to develop our understanding
of the England Cecily, Jeremy and May were experiencing?
How does this story help us to understand our own
MARKETING AND PROMOTION:
ADVERTISING & PUBLICITY
Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Hobart tour.
Interviews sought on metro and regional ABC as well as community radio stations.
Morning TV interview sought, ie The Circle, Ch 10; The Morning Show, Ch 7
Reading Notes 2010
Page 9 of 10
Feature interviews sought in major metropolitan newspapers, including The Age/SMH,
The Australian, The Canberra Times, The Courier Mail, The West Australian.
Wide review mailing to children's book reviewers of national and regional newspapers.
EDUCATION
February catalogue
Front cover and double page spread in February Off the Shelf - sent to 4000+
subscribers
Sonya to appear at Professional Development Day for Secondary Teachers in July
Teachers' Notes
Magpies cover in May
Review copies sent to key educational bloggers and reviewers
Review copies sent to Magpies, Viewpoint and Reading Time
Feature on Penguin Teachers' Corner
ON-LINE
Dedicated author website.
Reading Notes 2010
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