Finding “Taking Wing,” by Annie Dalton

Dear Reader,

I drove an hour north just to go treasure hunting with a friend. Our destination? A going-out-of-business sale at a used bookstore in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. I came home with nearly twenty books — and Taking Wing by Annie Dalton quickly became one of my favorites.

Set in England in 1592, the story unfolds through the eyes of young Isabel during the glittering age of Queen Elizabeth I and William Shakespeare. Oh, what a time for art! The writing is smooth and heartfelt, with vivid scenes that pop off the page. While it isn’t edge-of-your-seat suspense, it carries a quiet charm that kept me reading every morning until the last page.

What I loved most is how purely it captures the eagerness, naivety, and loneliness of childhood — feelings that haven’t changed in over four hundred years. Isabel’s fear and excitement feel so real that you remember what it was like to be a child yourself. You root for her, worry for her, and feel proud when she grows.

This is the perfect kind of story for adults to read aloud with children or for kids to discover on their own. It makes history feel alive and turns learning into an adventure.

Great job, Annie Dalton!

While browsing the children’s section that day, I also found two other books from the Girls of Many Lands series. I’ve since tracked down the rest on Amazon — because adults are allowed to read children’s books too, you know.

If you enjoy gentle historical fiction with heart, I highly recommend Taking Wing. It’s a lovely little treasure.

Love,

Twilight