Queen of France, Catherine de' Medici would do anything to keep her family in power, including using poison and black magic. A nation-wide killing spree during her rule earned her the name, The Black Queen. But was she really that bad? Gorgeous illustrations and an intelligent, evocative story bring to life a real dastardly dame who fought to keep her children in power, but ended up blackening their names instead.

Njinga the Warrior Queen

by Janie Havemeyer

Published 20 October 2011
Njinga, the Warrior Queen, fought fiercely to keep her people from slavery. Yet she engaged in slave trading herself, performed human sacrifices and--some believed--even murdered her nephew, feasting on his heart. Was Njinga a terrifying tyrant or a freedom fighter? Gorgeous illustrations and a smart, evocative story bring to life a dastardly dame who did whatever it took to win and protect her kingdom.