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Judith's Story On the night ob the banquet celebrating Judith's betrothal to a horrid old man, she meets a minstrel who recognizes her talents and wants her to have better. The minstrel, Robin, leaves his wooden pipes for her as a "wedding present," and in them she finds a secret message with a map to Eltham Palace, where talented young men can learn to become Minstrels for the king. With the help of her sister, Judith chops off her hair, changes her name to Jude, and runs away disguised as a boy. As with any great adventure, Jude must travel a long distance through various enviroments, meeting all sorts of people, and learning more about herself and her dreams along the way. With an adorable heroine, an exciting journey, and a protective animal companion (Percival, the falcon), this book is a wonderful addition to fantasy and historical fiction collections. Set in Medieval England, this novel is somewhere between Karen Cushman's historical fiction (i.e. Catherine Called Birdy, The Midwife's Apprentice, Matilda Bone ) and Tamora Pierce's fantasy. A fan of either will probably enjoy it, and a fan of both will likely embrace it like a long lost sister. |
