Two Weeks with the Queen

Two Weeks with the Queen follows Colin Mudford, a 12-year-old Australian boy who is sent to stay with relatives in England while his younger brother undergoes cancer treatment back home. Colin arrives in London with one mission: to get help from the Queen herself to save his brother's life. The story tracks Colin's determined efforts to find medical solutions, from attempting to break into Buckingham Palace to seeking out top cancer specialists in London. Along the way, he forms an unexpected friendship with Ted, a Welshman whose partner is also battling illness. Through Colin's experiences in London, he encounters both harsh realities and moments of connection as he grapples with his brother's situation and meets others facing similar struggles. His relationship with his cousin Alistair develops as they scheme and support each other through various plans. The novel explores themes of family bonds, grief, and the lengths people will go to help their loved ones, while tackling serious subjects through the lens of a young person's perspective.

Readers describe this as a book that balances humor with serious themes, making difficult topics accessible to young readers. Many reviewers note how the story handles grief and illness while maintaining moments of lightness. Readers praise: - The realistic portrayal of a child processing difficult emotions - Honest approach to death and family relationships - Use of comedy within a serious narrative - Quick pacing and engaging writing style Common criticisms: - Some find the tone shifts jarring - A few parents consider certain themes too mature for younger readers - The ending leaves some plot threads unresolved Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (100+ ratings) "Manages to be both funny and heartbreaking," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Another Amazon reader comments, "My students could relate to Colin's determination to help his brother, even if his methods weren't always sensible." Several teachers report successful use in classroom discussions about loss and family.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne Through a child's perspective, this story explores friendship and family during the Holocaust, paralleling the themes of youth confronting harsh realities found in Two Weeks with the Queen.

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson This tale of friendship and loss follows two children who create their own magical world while dealing with death and grief in the real one.

Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian A young evacuee during World War II forms a bond with his elderly guardian while processing trauma and family illness.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis Four siblings face separation from their parents during wartime and discover a hidden world where they must confront death and sacrifice.

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech A girl embarks on a journey to find her mother while processing grief and family relationships through storytelling.

🔸 The novel was adapted into a successful play by Mary Morris and has been performed extensively in theaters across Australia and the UK since 1994. 🔸 Author Morris Gleitzman worked as a screenwriter for the Norman Gunston Show in Australia before becoming a children's author, bringing his experience with both comedy and drama to his writing. 🔸 The book coincidentally released during a time when AIDS awareness was growing globally, and though the brother's illness isn't specified as AIDS, the parallel themes resonated strongly with readers. 🔸 The story draws from real events during the early 1990s when the Queen made public visits to AIDS hospices in London, helping reduce stigma around the disease. 🔸 Despite dealing with serious themes, the book was groundbreaking in children's literature for showing that stories about terminal illness could include humor without diminishing their emotional impact.