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Newbery Medal Winner! Step back to an English village in 1255, where life plays out in dramatic vignettes illuminating twenty-two unforgettable characters.
Maidens, monks, and millers’ sons — in these pages, readers will meet them all. There’s Hugo, the lord’s nephew, forced to prove his manhood by hunting a wild boar; sharp-tongued Nelly, who supports her family by selling live eels; and the peasant’s daughter, Mogg, who gets a clever lesson in how to save a cow from a greedy landlord. There’s also mud-slinging Barbary (and her noble victim); Jack, the compassionate half-wit; Alice, the singing shepherdess; and many more. With a deep appreciation for the period and a grand affection for both characters and audience, Laura Amy Schlitz creates twenty-two riveting portraits and linguistic gems equally suited to silent reading or performance. Illustrated with pen-and-ink drawings by Robert Byrd — inspired by the Munich-Nuremberg manuscript, an illuminated poem from thirteenth-century Germany — this witty, historically accurate, and utterly human collection forms an exquisite bridge to the people and places of medieval England.
From the Publisher
‘Brilliant in every way.’ —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Also by Laura Amy Schlitz
‘The Newbery medalist (for ‘Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!’) Laura Amy Schlitz’s witty writing matches perfectly with the energetic watercolors by Brian Floca, who won the Caldecott Medal for ‘Locomotive.’ I dare you not to laugh at the pink-frocked reptile desperately trying to jump rope.’
—The New York Times Book Review.
‘An imaginative adventure story in a familiar, yet exotic landscape. Beautifully composed, the artwork combines subtle use of color with a keen observation of nature that’s reminiscent of Beatrix Potter’s work. This finely crafted and unusually dynamic fairy story is a natural for reading aloud.’
—Booklist (starred review).
‘Filled with lush language and delightful sensory details like the savored warmth of a velvet cloak, this marvelous story will keep readers absorbed throughout. While the intricate storytelling, captivating characters and evocative setting owe a great deal to Dickens, the book also feels very much in the tradition of such grand 20th-century writers as Joan Aiken and Elizabeth Goudge. Filled with heart-pounding and heart-rending moments, this delicious, glorious novel is the work of a master of children’s literature.’
—New York Times.
Publisher : Candlewick; 2nd edition (September 13, 2011)
Language : English
Paperback : 96 pages
ISBN-10 : 0763650943
ISBN-13 : 978-0763650940
Reading age : 8 – 13 years, from customers
Lexile measure : NP
Grade level : 5 – 9
Item Weight : 4.8 ounces
Dimensions : 6.06 x 0.31 x 9.06 inches
Customers say
Customers find the book educational and enjoyable for learning about medieval life. They appreciate the creative, clever, and thoughtful writing style. The narrations are realistic and interesting to read. Readers enjoy the delightful characters who give a personal view into their daily concerns. The book is described as fun, touching, and great for school plays.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
