The Cruel Prince

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2018

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Introduction

Before Reading

During Reading

After Reading

Introduction

Teacher Introduction

The Cruel Prince

Genre: Fiction; young adult fantasy
Originally Published: 2018
Reading Level/Interest: HL760L; grades 9-12
Structure/Length: 30 chapters, prologue, and epilogue; approximately 416 pages; approximately 12 hours, 36 minutes on audio
Protagonist/Central Conflict: The story follows the character of Jude, a mortal girl living in the High Court of Faerie. She desires to fit in with the fey despite their contempt for humans and dreams of becoming a member of the Court. The central conflict revolves around Jude’s struggle for power, identity, and acceptance within a dangerous and deceptive world.
Potential Sensitivity Issues: Violence; murder, including of parents and other family members; manipulation and deceit; betrayal and power struggles; sexual content including sexual exploitation; bullying; enslavement; suicide

Holly Black, Author

Bio: Born 1971; American writer known for her contemporary fantasy novels for children and young adults; often collaborates with other authors; work is filled with magic, intrigue, and dark themes
Other Works: The Spiderwick Chronicles (with Tony DiTerlizzi; 2003-2009); The Coldest Girl in Coldtown (2013); The Darkest Part of the Forest (2015)
Awards: Boston Globe Best Book (2018); ALA Children’s Notable List Pick (2019)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

Power Dynamics in a Hierarchical Society
Truth and Lying
Discovering, Negotiating, and Forming Personal Identity as a Teenager

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

Develop an understanding of the social and historical contexts regarding the Faerie realm that incite Jude’s conflict.
Analyze paired texts and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of Power Dynamics in a Hierarchical Society; Truth and Lying; and Discovering, Negotiating, and Forming Personal Identity as a Teenager.
Plan and compose three riddles or omens to predict future events in Elfhame based on novel details.
Analyze and evaluate the plot and character details to draw conclusions in structured essay responses regarding death and violence, the setting of the novel, and other topics.