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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Incredibly straightforward plot.
This would be an easy text to use for character development and symbolism.
This would be an easy text to use for character development and symbolism.
The gritty realism made the book stand-out from other historical fiction especially in young adult fiction. I felt the development of the main character was well crafted and engaging. Life was hard for Beetle, and she didn't have luxury of emotions until she had surpassed basic survival. Her developing identity and the recognition of self as she grew both emotionally and intellectually parallels any young girls journey into adulthood though Alice's passage is lacking in modern day comfort.
I could probably count this book for the RPL 2024 reading challenge as either a Newbery award winner (since I’m reading through all the Newberys that’s not a hard category to fill) or a book set in the Middle Ages (oddly, I’ve happened to read many that fit this category recently and not through any conscious decision. Huh.) I know I would have read this as a child, and as an adult it still holds up. I especially appreciated the author’s note on historical midwifery at the end.
This book shows a girl faced with abuse finding her own personal strength and confidence. I liked seeing her evolution and appreciated that the book remained true to itself all the way to the end. It's not a world I would want to inhabit.
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
I don't know why I really couldn't get into this book - I really liked the medieval setting and I think Karen Cushman had to do a lot of research because she did do a good job putting me in that time setting. I just really couldn't get into the characters or the plot line. Maybe in another time of my life I'd like it - it seems to have been given good ratings.
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes