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allmadhere106's review against another edition
4.0
This was so much fun to read. Filled with monologues, duets, and factual asides about medieval times, this collection is entertaining from start to finish. I liked the range of social statuses and how the characters wove together. Very nice.
For: readers looking for a quick read; readers interested in medieval life.
Possible red flags: poverty; domestic violence; prejudice and racism; privilege; deception; fear.
For: readers looking for a quick read; readers interested in medieval life.
Possible red flags: poverty; domestic violence; prejudice and racism; privilege; deception; fear.
simplymary's review against another edition
4.0
Superb work. I can see why she won a Newbury medal. The author, as a middle school librarian, wanted to give her students who were studying the Middle Ages some material to help them along. She wrote soliloquies that they performed which give glimpses into the lives of teens in that time period. I really like the ones whose lives overlap; you get a more informed perspective hearing different sides of the same story. Definitely targeted towards an adolescent age range; not for young children. The illustrations are great.
danicamidlil's review against another edition
2.0
I don't understand the Newbery committee. If it's not a book that children will read, then who cares if it's incredibly well written? Have children been flocking to monologues about medieval times and I've just missed it?
lbb00ks's review against another edition
Lovely and imaginative trip for readers' minds to the Middle Ages, which come alive through the young characters we meet. Beautifully researched - hooray for historical fiction!
crystal_reading's review against another edition
5.0
The first time I read this book, I listened to this on CD and it was fantastic. This is a great introduction to midieval times. The voices and background music on the CD really make this come alive since it is written as a serious of monologues (and two dialogues). Excellent!
Re-read this one for Newbery Challenge and still love it - even when reading it without the background music.
Re-read this one for Newbery Challenge and still love it - even when reading it without the background music.
vanitar's review against another edition
3.0
I appreciated the forward that explains why this book was written- a librarian wrote individual monologues for her students studying medieval times so that they could be the “star” of their own play for three minutes- I love this! What a great way of getting students involved and giving opportunity for them to learn history through the embodiment and characterization of various individuals.
I listened to the audio book which was well acted out and had good accents and such. I enjoyed it but it was a bit too disjointed for my liking in a book (but I recognize that it didn’t set out to be a seamless novel). Interesting stories and characters in the monologues.
I listened to the audio book which was well acted out and had good accents and such. I enjoyed it but it was a bit too disjointed for my liking in a book (but I recognize that it didn’t set out to be a seamless novel). Interesting stories and characters in the monologues.
plaidpladd's review against another edition
funny
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
This book is fine. I think it offers an interesting perspective, especially for a child/teen like I was who loved reading medieval fantasy novels since it highlights some of the often ignored aspects of medieval life. It's really weird that it won a Newbery though lol
pagesofpins's review against another edition
5.0
The monologues of 23 medieval tweens, each building on the other to show how the children in a medieval village are loosly connected. Through these monologues we get a picture of the sights, smells, joys and hardships of medieval life, the difference between occupations, and the alliances and feuds of sociey. A great book for a class to perform, as was its intention, but also a fun read for individual tweens.
djahatimisor's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25