The Diamond of Drury Lane facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | Julia Golding |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Cat Royal |
| Genre | Children's historical novel |
| Publisher | Egmont |
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Publication date
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2 January 2006 |
| Pages | 256 |
| ISBN | 978-1-4052-2149-8 |
| Followed by | Cat among the Pigeons |
The Diamond of Drury Lane is an exciting historical novel for children by Julia Golding. It won two big awards in 2006: the Nestle Children's Book Prize Gold Award and the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize. The story takes place a long time ago, on January 1, 1790.
Contents
Discover the Diamond of Drury Lane
This book tells the story of Catherine ‘Cat’ Royal. She is a 13-year-old orphan who lives in the famous Theatre Royal. The theatre owner, Mr. Sheridan, found her as a baby. He named her after the theatre itself. Cat knows every secret passage and hidden corner of the theatre. She also knows a lot about London life in the late 1700s.
A Secret Treasure Hunt
One night, Cat overhears Mr. Sheridan and his friend Marchmont talking. They are discussing a very valuable "diamond" hidden somewhere in the theatre. Cat is super curious! Mr. Sheridan asks her to keep this secret safe. He warns her that it's hard to know who to trust with such important information.
New Friends and Mysteries
Cat soon meets new people who become important in her life.
- She befriends Pedro, a talented African boy who plays the violin. He comes to the theatre to learn from the musicians.
- She also meets the wealthy Avon family: the Duke, the Duchess, and their children, Lord Francis and Lady Elizabeth. Unlike other rich people, they are kind and want to be Cat's friends.
- Then there's Johnny, the new prompt at the theatre. He's great at drawing, especially political cartoons. Johnny has a mysterious past. He ran away from home when he was young.
Cat learns that Johnny is actually "Captain Sparkler." This is a secret name for someone who drew cartoons against the King. There's a reward for his capture. Cat also finds out that Johnny and Lady Elizabeth used to like each other.
The Truth About the Diamond
Cat tells Pedro about the "diamond." She later regrets this when she finds him searching for it. Pedro hopes to use the "diamond" to buy a boat ticket to Africa. He wants to escape from people who might try to capture him.
Cat soon learns a big secret: the "diamond" isn't a real jewel! It's a code word. Johnny's friends use it to talk about him without giving away his identity. He is valuable to them because of the reward offered for his capture.
Trouble and Teamwork
A street gang, led by Cat's enemy Billy “Boil” Shepherd, hears about the "diamond." Billy thinks it's a real gem. He breaks into the theatre with his gang to steal it. Cat and Pedro manage to escape him.
However, Cat gets into trouble. She is arrested for having money that was meant to help Johnny leave England safely. This money was actually jewels that Lady Elizabeth had pawned. Cat had permission to take them to the pawn shop. But the people who arrest her don't believe her. Billy is also arrested, but it wasn't him who stole the money. It was two of his gang members.
Luckily, Johnny's father, Lord Fitzroy, knows the real story. He helps Cat get set free. Later, Billy is also released, and his two gang members go to prison instead.
A Happy Ending
In the end, Johnny manages to leave England. Lord Francis, Lady Elizabeth, and Cat all help him. Cat is happy to be back at her theatre with everyone she cares about. Mr. Sheridan finally tells her that there was no real diamond. Cat already knew this, but she feels a bit silly for not realizing it sooner. Mr. Sheridan then tells her that Johnny wasn't the true "diamond." He says that Cat herself is the real "diamond" of the Theatre Royal. He tells her the theatre wouldn't be the same without its "Cat."
More Adventures with Cat Royal
If you enjoyed The Diamond of Drury Lane, there are five more books in the series!
- Cat among the Pigeons
- Den of Thieves
- Cat O'Nine Tails
- Black Heart of Jamaica
- Cat's Cradle and "Middle Passage".
