Author: laura Amy Schlitz
Lexile Score:
Genre: Historical Fiction/ Monologues
Maturity level: Hmmm, I really wish I could have my 3rd graders make a movie out of this RIGHT NOW! - but I have to admit it would work much better with maybe 5th-7th graders. All allusions to mature subject matter are handled brilliantly so as to be both factual and realistic, yet in no way inappropriate for young students.
Pages: 81 Chapters: n/a - 19 different monologues, two two-person poems Average Chapter Monologue Length: 2-3 pages - all are very similar in length - indeed, that was the whole point!
Theme: Medieval history, celebrating differences, classism,
Project ideas: Let's see, I know there must be something you could-- HOW ABOUT PERFORM THE PLAY!?
First Line: The Feast of All Souls, I ran from my tutor - Latin and grammar - no wonder! (each piece has a delicious mouthful of a first line)
Main Character: equally divided between 23 main characters - can you count the vilage itself as the main character?
Review in 25 words or less: A joy to read and how much more to perform! Good Masters, Sweet Ladies, get yourself a copy and 22 friends and find a stage!
Grade: A
I guess the question that seperates this website from the rest is, would this book make a good book club text? How close to you have to come to the original purpose of a text for it to be an authentic read? Laura Amy Schlitz even adds sidebar notes as to pronunciation and when to breathe - hardly directions for silent independant reading! I will put it thusly: if I were to get a set of these for use in book club I would certainly put the question to the students - both before and after reading - as to how they feel the text should most appropriately be interacted with. Then I would force them to perform it. :)
It is a delight to read both as entertainment and as information. I learned at least one new thing from each master and lady of the village. The sidebars were always helpful, both for direction and for historical note. They were never wasted or overused - one even withheld information and promted me to go brush up on my saints knowledge. (and yes, Erasmus's martyrdom was disgusting) Schlitz has made a masterpiece here, and was completely deserving of the Newbery. Even if I don't have six copies on my book club shelf, I'll always have a copy available to students!
"Everybody's always trying to do something physical, but I would say feed your spirit more than anything 'cause I think that's where it all starts, especially for myself. When I'm healthy spiritually, I'm able to do any and everything that I put my mind to."
— DeLisha Milton-Jones, women's basketball
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