Two Weeks with the Queen facts for kids
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| Author | Morris Gleitzman |
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| Original title | Two Weeks in London |
| Cover artist | Moira Millman |
| Country | Australia England United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Young adult, drama |
| Publisher | Pan Books |
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Publication date
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1990 |
| Media type | Print (paperback) |
| Pages | 127 |
| ISBN | 0-330-27183-0 |
Two Weeks with the Queen is a 1990 novel written by Australian author Morris Gleitzman. The story is about a boy named Colin Mudford. He is sent to live with his relatives in England while his younger brother, Luke, is getting special medical care for a serious illness.
Contents
Colin's Big Adventure
Colin Mudford is a twelve-year-old boy from Australia. His family sends him to stay with his aunt and uncle in London. This happens because his younger brother, Luke, needs treatment for a serious illness.
Colin's Royal Plan
In England, Colin has a big idea. He wants to meet the Queen! He believes she can help him find the best doctors for Luke. So, Colin and his cousin, Alistair, try to sneak into Buckingham Palace. But they get caught by the police and are sent home.
Colin also tries to get into a top hospital in London. He wants to find more doctors there, but he is asked to leave. Outside the hospital, he meets a kind Welshman named Ted. Ted tells Colin that his own close friend is also very sick. Ted offers to introduce Colin to a leading health expert in England.
A Difficult Truth
The expert talks to Luke's doctors back in Sydney. They confirm that Luke's illness is very serious and hard to treat. Colin gets very upset when he hears this news. In anger, he damages some expensive cars.
Colin goes back to his Aunt Iris's house feeling very sad. Alistair then suggests that a possible cure might be found far away in South America.
A Change of Plans
Colin convinces Alistair to secretly travel with him on a cargo ship to South America. But then Colin tells Alistair about damaging the cars and that Ted saw him. Alistair worries that Ted could get into trouble for this. So, Colin decides to delay their trip. He wants to visit Ted first.
Colin goes to Ted's home and finds him hurt. Ted explains that some people attacked him because they didn't like him. Ted then shares a secret: his friend who is very sick is actually Griff, his partner. Griff is in the hospital with a serious health condition that affects his body's defenses. Ted cannot walk, so Colin promises to visit Griff for him.
Colin goes to the hospital and meets Griff. He brings Griff a letter from Ted and Griff's favorite fruit, tangerines. Griff enjoys talking with Colin and asks him to visit again.
Reuniting Friends
After Griff is taken back to his hospital room, Colin finds a spare wheelchair. He takes it to Ted's house so Ted can go to the hospital. Colin helps Ted get to the hospital to see Griff. Ted and Griff are very thankful to Colin for bringing them together.
A few days later, Ted feels better. Colin visits the couple in the hospital again. But when he arrives, he learns that Griff has passed away.
Going Home
When Colin gets home, Aunt Iris tells him she knows everything from Alistair. They are both given a mild punishment. Aunt Iris also makes sure Colin cannot sneak out again. Colin decides to give up his plans to travel to South America. He starts to accept Luke's situation.
Colin asks Aunt Iris to let him go back to his family. But she says no. She tells him he cannot get on the plane alone. The next morning, Colin manages to sneak out of the house. He meets Ted at the airport. Ted signs Colin's travel forms, and they say goodbye.
Aunt Iris catches Colin trying to leave, and there's a small argument. Alistair speaks up, and Aunt Iris finally understands. She lets Colin go. They see him off, and Colin travels back to Sydney to be with Luke. The story ends with Luke waking up, happy to see Colin.
Main Characters
Colin Mudford
Colin is a brave and friendly twelve-year-old Australian boy. He is determined to find a way to help his younger brother, Luke. He is not afraid to try big plans to reach his goal.
Luke Mudford
Luke is Colin's eight-year-old brother. He has a serious illness and stays in Sydney for treatment throughout the story.
Alistair
Alistair is Colin's shy thirteen-year-old English cousin. While Colin is in London, Alistair gets involved in Colin's big ideas to find a cure for Luke.
Aunt Iris
Aunt Iris is Colin's aunt and Alistair's mother. She cares for Colin but finds it hard to talk openly about Luke's illness. She sometimes seems uncomfortable about the topic.
The Queen
Elizabeth II is mentioned in the story, but she does not directly help Colin. Colin writes letters to her, but she does not respond personally. A helper sends a letter on her behalf at the end of the book.
Uncle Bob
Uncle Bob is Colin's uncle. He is a bit grumpy and has strong opinions about the Royal Family and the City of London. He often agrees with his wife, Aunt Iris, about what Alistair should do.
Ted Caldicot
Ted is a kind Welshman. He listens to Colin's worries about Luke because his own partner, Griff, is also very sick. Ted is shown as a warm and open person, especially when talking about serious health issues.
Griff Price
Griff is Ted's partner of six years. He is in the hospital getting treatment for a serious health condition that affects his body's defenses. His favorite food is tangerines.
Book's Background
Two Weeks with the Queen was published in 1990. This was a time of change in Australia. The book shows some of the challenges families faced, like when Colin's parents couldn't afford a Christmas gift he wanted. Instead, they gave him practical school shoes.
The book also touched on a serious health issue that was a growing concern in Australia at the time. The story helps readers understand the struggles of people dealing with serious illnesses and how important support and understanding are.
A famous person, Princess Diana, opened the first hospital for people with this serious illness in July 1989. Her caring approach was very different from the Queen's absence in the book.
Stage Play
The book was made into a stage play by Mary Morris in April 1992. It first showed at the Sydney Festival that same year. Wayne Harrison directed the play. It was very popular from the start and has been performed all over the world. This includes places like England, Canada, Japan, the United States, Cuba, and Portugal.
