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
jessb127's review against another edition
4.0
Delightful! I thought Schlitz did a wonderful job of capturing the voices of a Medieval Village in this book of monologues. I would love to see it performed.
jtlars7's review against another edition
Good - but S. wouldn’t read it with me. Maybe better for older elementary schoolers?
a_manning11's review against another edition
4.0
I was surprised that this was a Newbery Winner, maybe because of its form. I'm glad I read the author's foreword, because it prepared me for what followed. This is a great way to introduce children to the Middle Ages using acting. The child monologues offer a surprising amount of insight and information. And on top of that they are interesting and fun.
The design of the book is a huge success, Robert Byrd's illustrations and informative side notes and explanatory pages accompany the acting fun.
The design of the book is a huge success, Robert Byrd's illustrations and informative side notes and explanatory pages accompany the acting fun.
bethgiven's review against another edition
3.0
Even though it's a short book, I've put this book off for awhile -- it just sounded really hokey somehow. And it is a little hokey (I can't imagine a group of students actually performing this play!), but it also taught me a few things about this historical time period, and there are a few really good, poetic lines. Very unique Newbery winner.