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rwaringcrane's review against another edition
3.0
This year's Newberry Medal winner was a nice surprise: a collection of monologues. And I read it right after taking a course in writing monologues. And its written by a librarian. All good things. Well researched and an interesting choice for the award - I wish I'd seen the first performance. And if there was a fraction to the star rating system, I'd give it a 3.75.
cozylittlebrownhouse's review against another edition
4.0
A very enjoyable book, even for adults. Extremely creative, chock full of information, and has beautiful detail.
platypusinplaid's review against another edition
5.0
AUDREY'S ONE-SENTENCE BOOK REVIEWS
17 five-star stories makes this an 85-star book
17 five-star stories makes this an 85-star book
willbreinholt's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this?? It’s probs more of a children’s book for adults than children, so idk if I’d like it when I was younger, but I really enjoyed it.
This book was genuinely interesting and educational, giving interesting facts and anecdotes about the time period, but hiding them within engaging and poetic monologues.
I loved how the monologues interacted with each other to paint a picture of an entire medieval manor. Each one was so well written, and each kid had a distinct voice.
Highlights include the blacksmith’s daughter, the miller’s son, the mud slinger, both duets, and the beggar.
I’m kind of surprised by how much I enjoyed this. A deserving newbery winner.
This book was genuinely interesting and educational, giving interesting facts and anecdotes about the time period, but hiding them within engaging and poetic monologues.
I loved how the monologues interacted with each other to paint a picture of an entire medieval manor. Each one was so well written, and each kid had a distinct voice.
Highlights include the blacksmith’s daughter, the miller’s son, the mud slinger, both duets, and the beggar.
I’m kind of surprised by how much I enjoyed this. A deserving newbery winner.
kimberlyjerger's review against another edition
2.0
*2.5
2008 Newbery Medal
A collection of short monologues (and two dialogues) following children living in 1255 England, Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village offers information on the daily lives of medieval society in a seemingly playful manner.
Many of the portraits of medieval life presented in this collection were based on true stories, as the author notes the inspirations behind these accounts. Interspersed following a few stories are short essays on the history of medieval England, which were clear and informative. In the overall execution, however, Schlitz’s verse came off incredibly forced and awkward, with little variety in voices. The children of nobles lacked distinction from peasants in both tone and language, compounding the clumsiness of the verse.
The illustrations, while small, have clear historical inspiration, though the formatting of the book left much to be desired. I would have liked to see the artwork featured in a more prominent fashion.
While undoubtedly well-researched, the clumsy verse and inconsistencies made the individual characters feel flat. Nonetheless, Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village provides a decent look at life in a medieval manor, albeit in an awkward format.
2008 Newbery Medal
A collection of short monologues (and two dialogues) following children living in 1255 England, Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village offers information on the daily lives of medieval society in a seemingly playful manner.
Many of the portraits of medieval life presented in this collection were based on true stories, as the author notes the inspirations behind these accounts. Interspersed following a few stories are short essays on the history of medieval England, which were clear and informative. In the overall execution, however, Schlitz’s verse came off incredibly forced and awkward, with little variety in voices. The children of nobles lacked distinction from peasants in both tone and language, compounding the clumsiness of the verse.
The illustrations, while small, have clear historical inspiration, though the formatting of the book left much to be desired. I would have liked to see the artwork featured in a more prominent fashion.
While undoubtedly well-researched, the clumsy verse and inconsistencies made the individual characters feel flat. Nonetheless, Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village provides a decent look at life in a medieval manor, albeit in an awkward format.
cathatrix's review
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sandsing7's review against another edition
I’ve tried several times but it’s just a horribly boring book.
casehouse's review against another edition
4.0
As an adult, I really enjoyed this book. It has quite a bit to teach about medieval times. I wouldn't hand it to a child to read, but I WOULD think it would be great fun to have a group of kids perform these skits.
snazel's review against another edition
5.0
This is not a premise for a book that I ever expected, but it executes it wonderfully. Full marks.
adrienne_g's review against another edition
5.0
This is a children’s book- very good for the appropriate audience.