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Book of the Lion
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From: Claudia Backus <backusc>
Date: Tue, 09 Jan 2001 22:45:12
Enjoying the give and take immensely. I'd like to throw "The Book of the Lion"into the mix. It is especially relevent to the discussion of authenticity.I found Michael Cadnum's the "Book of the Lion" to be a richly detailed work of historic fiction, a thrilling adventure story and a courageous young adult novel that embraces universal themes. I have not found many librarians who have read, let alone embraced the novel. It was a finalist for our mock Newbery award discussion. Only 5 out of 23 participants read the book before the discussion. Several started it, but were literally scared off by the first scene, in which a hand is brutally
(and graphically) severed. There is violence, cruelty and death in this story of Edmund, a young squire who goes off to the Crusades to win glory for God and good King Richard. He also encounters adventure, kindness and friendship. In the course of the novel Edmund becomes a man, but the author does not imbue the 12th century character with 21st century angst. It is the 21st century reader who comes away with the certain knowledge that war is hell. Edmund has grown and changed but remains within the confines of his time, touched by acts of humility and kindness but gung-ho for the glory of "holy war." I understand my colleague's dismay over a book for children filled with violence. I would argue that children deserve the truth. The authenticity of medieval life, war and death depicted in "The Book of the Lion" rings true on every page. It is an exceptional book.
Claudia Backus Children's Services Coordinator Waukesha County Federated Library System 831 N. Grand Avenue Waukesha, WI 53186G86 PH: 262?6?87 FAX: 262?6?86 EMAIL:backusc at hotmail.com
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Received on Tue 09 Jan 2001 10:45:12 PM CST
Date: Tue, 09 Jan 2001 22:45:12
Enjoying the give and take immensely. I'd like to throw "The Book of the Lion"into the mix. It is especially relevent to the discussion of authenticity.I found Michael Cadnum's the "Book of the Lion" to be a richly detailed work of historic fiction, a thrilling adventure story and a courageous young adult novel that embraces universal themes. I have not found many librarians who have read, let alone embraced the novel. It was a finalist for our mock Newbery award discussion. Only 5 out of 23 participants read the book before the discussion. Several started it, but were literally scared off by the first scene, in which a hand is brutally
(and graphically) severed. There is violence, cruelty and death in this story of Edmund, a young squire who goes off to the Crusades to win glory for God and good King Richard. He also encounters adventure, kindness and friendship. In the course of the novel Edmund becomes a man, but the author does not imbue the 12th century character with 21st century angst. It is the 21st century reader who comes away with the certain knowledge that war is hell. Edmund has grown and changed but remains within the confines of his time, touched by acts of humility and kindness but gung-ho for the glory of "holy war." I understand my colleague's dismay over a book for children filled with violence. I would argue that children deserve the truth. The authenticity of medieval life, war and death depicted in "The Book of the Lion" rings true on every page. It is an exceptional book.
Claudia Backus Children's Services Coordinator Waukesha County Federated Library System 831 N. Grand Avenue Waukesha, WI 53186G86 PH: 262?6?87 FAX: 262?6?86 EMAIL:backusc at hotmail.com
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Received on Tue 09 Jan 2001 10:45:12 PM CST
