Zenobia Book Series: Thinking Thursday –Education plays a big part in Zenobia

Exciting news Zenobia - Birth of a Legend is available to purchase at Changing Hands Bookstore located at 6428 S McClintock Dr. Tempe, AZ 85283. Go pick your copy up today!

For more information and sample chapters go to www.geodepress.com

Zenobia masqueraded as a boy to stay alive until age nine. We read in chapter one: “At a surprisingly early age, Zenobia has grasped and embraced the role laid out for her preservation. This lit a fire that would burn deep inside her for the rest of her life, a desire to prove that a girl could be just as valuable as a boy and a woman just as valiant and skilled as a man.”

There are many stories of girls pretending to be boys to survive and follow their dreams. Here is a list below of a few books I found to be similar to Zenobia’s story:

Dangerous favors by Joyce Dipastena – “Mathlide and Girard run into an enemy that can only be a ghost, as he was suppose to be dead. Girard has to hide Mathlide to save her life. He cuts her long blonde hair off and dresses her up as a squire. He sends her to Therri to work for him.” (For the full book review http://juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com/2012/03/tale-of-knights-tournaments-murder.html)

Eon and Eona by Alison Goodman – “In a world of lies, the truth can be deadly …Under the harsh regime of an ambitious master; Eon is training to become a Dragoneye – a powerful Lord able to command wind and water to protect the land. But Eon also harbours a desperate secret – he is in fact a young woman living a dangerous masquerade that, if discovered, will mean certain death. (I’m currently reading this series; look for book review coming soon @ http://juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com/.)

The Song of the Lioness quartet by Tamora Pierce- “In a time when girls are forbidden to be warriors, Alanna of Trebond wants nothing more than to be knight of the realm of Tortall. (This sounds very intriguing and Alanna is a powerful warrior like Zenobia.)

The Girl-Son by Anne Neuberger- “Induk Pahk was born in a Korean peasant cottage in 1896. Although Induk's mother was illiterate, she wanted a better life for her daughter so she schemed and conspired to educate her. Since Korean schools did not admit girls, Induk received her early schooling disguised as a boy. Later in life Induk Pahk became an educator and a lecturer who traveled widely and advanced the cause of women in Korea.” (This reminds me how Zelina wanted a better life for her daughter Zenobia and how the courage of a mother changes history.)

To see more books about girls pretending to be boys:
http://www.booksbesidemybed.com/2011/09/reading-lists-girls-pretending-to-be.html

What do all these women have in common? These fictional and real women have courage.

Zenobia displays bravery at a very young age. Zenobia’s true gender is revealed and the council is deciding her fate.

“So, Zenobia, you prefer to look like a boy? Zabbai asked.

“I would prefer to be a boy, my Lord.”

Laughter filled the tent at her comment. “We agree with your assessment, Zenobia, but since that is not possible, why this?”He touched her shortened hair.

She wanted to say, To keep you from killing me! She realized it might not be well received. Instead she replied, “To stay alive, my Lord.”

This frank reply stirred the group of men. Zabbai felt mildly rebuked, not only by her, but also by the circumstances. Food had been very limited during those times. Many had not agreed with his decision about the baby girls, and he had relented and canceled it after two years. Nevertheless, the disobedience of Zelina could cost her dearly. Women had been exiled and executed for less.

“And are you prepared to learn the ways of a girl now?”

“I have no need of that, my Lord. I wish to be a warrior!”

There was more laughter at this earnest response. Zabbai asked, “What makes you think you could be a warrior, Zenobia?”

“I can shoot out the eye of a boar at 20 paces!”