Nzingha: Warrior Queen of Matamba, Angola, Africa, 1595 (The Royal Diaries)

Based on true historical events, places, people, and customs, this novel portrays the fascinating details of a remarkable young woman's strength and courage in defending her world against subterfuge, spies, and the onslaught of the Portuguese. Historical notes, photos, illustrations, maps, the Ngola family tree, and a glossary and pronunciation guide are included for a comprehensive understanding of a complex era. Patricia McKissack is the well-respected and award-winning author of over 100 children's books and historical novels, including the Newbery Honor book The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural and Color Me Dark: The Diary of Nellie Lee Love (from the Dear America series). (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter

Product Description
Presents the diary of thirteen-year-old Nzingha, a sixteenth-century West African princess who loves to hunt and hopes to lead her kingdom one day against the invasion of the Portuguese slave traders.

Nzingha's story is worth hearing, she was a powerful leader to her people and a formidable enemy against the Portugese. As with many of the other Royal Diaries, they portray the situations realistically such as the slavery the portugese enforced to the captives of Nzingha's people.

This is recommended for anyone interested in angolan and africain history. It paints a realistic picture of the times when the Europeans were ruthless for power through slavery. It demonstrates to younger readers an inspirational and courageous person such as Nzingha. I am glad I read this book, it was informational and I enjoyed learning about the history.


Why? What's Wrong with this Book...?   May 8, 2001
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

I'm confused by the other reviews. I adored this book--it fascinated me maybe more than the other Royal Diaries books. I learned much of the African vocabulary in this book and how harsh the Portugese were to slaves. This book told of Nzingha's ability to improvise... When she had no chair, she called a servant to make a chair with his body... Treachery, love, and fighting for rights make this book definetely worth a try.


A little boring, but some interesting facts   October 3, 2000
Jessie (WA USA)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

This book was sort of disappointing to me. I love the Royal Diary series, and I guess I expected something a little better. It is the story of Nzingha, the oldest daughter of the Ngola (he's like a king person). Though older than her brother and sisters, she is second in line for the leadership position because she is female. Nzingha's brother Mbandi, though, is lazy and irresponsible, so the Ngola makes Nzingha promise that she won't allow Mbandi to weaken the system. With that promise, Nzingha also has new studies and responsibilities.

Nzingha's "diary" was harder for me to connect with the setting and people, for some reason. Part of the problem may have been because of it length. Only 80 pages, it seemed to cut off abruptly at the end. It was interesting, though, to read about this princess that I've never heard of.


Pretty Good   February 17, 2001
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I know alot of people think that this book was bad or too short, but I thought it was pretty good. It didn't go on forever, and besides, it wouldn't have much more plot to go on. i did learn alot of history in the fight for Africa, and thats all I cared about, not length. It was a good book to read, and I enjoyed it


Good historical details, weak story.   June 10, 2000
Rebecca Herman (USA)
16 out of 21 found this review helpful

I had high hopes for this book, since I love The Royal Diaries series. I am sorry to say I was dissapointed. I never managed to get a feel for the characters, as they were never fully developed, remaining one-dimensional throughout the story. The line between good and evil was just too generally defined - Africans good, white people bad. Real life doesn't work that way. And when I completed the story, I felt like something was missing, that I hadn't read the whole book - it cut off so abruptly, at 86 pages, and the historical note and pictures seemed there just to make it look longer. I can't believe that such a short, unsubstational book is going to be $10.95. I expected better from this previously high-quality series.