Books #1 and #2 dealt with the all-important social and emotional issues – friendship, fear, worry, kindness, courage, giving…and more.
Here is #3, a story on the same important path, but at a much more complex level. Oh, this one is really good!
This is a story of love, courage, and finding oneself. It is a story of overcoming obstacles and of trust. It is a story of words – oh, the power of letters and writing and of words. It is a story of finding your purpose in life. Finding your way home.
The story is set in medieval times, with kings, soldiers, and of course monks. Beatryce awakens in the barn of a monastery, with a goat. A monk, Brother Edik, shelters her. After all, she’s only a child. Beatrice has no memory, except for her name. The goat, Answelica, becomes her fierce protector. And so the story begins.
There is a prophecy in the land, written down by the brothers of the Order of the Chronicles of Sorrowing:
There will one day come a girl child who will unseat a king
and bring about a great change.
Could this child be the one written in the prophecy?
Beatryce can read and write, surprisingly, as it is against the law for women and girls to read and write. She writes for Brother Edik:
We shall all, in the end, be led to where we belong.
We shall all, in the end, find our way home.
Beatryce did not know from where those words came.
As the story -the quest – unravels, she meets Jack Dory and Cannoc who become intertwined with helping Beatryce. Along the way, they must face their own demons, each in a different way. Will Beatryce find who she really is? It takes strength, courage and trust to move forward.
Author Kate DiCamillo is a terrific storyteller. Her characters are really ‘us’. The stage she sets makes the story all the more exciting. While it is in medieval times, the theme is just as timely (and important) today. The book is a new release, I was the first to borrow the library’s copy. I loved this book! It is for ages 9 and above (to 99) and 247 of the best pages I have read in a long time.
Jennie
Stay tuned for #4, If You Plant a Seed
A Teacher's Reflections 
these sound wonderful for the 9s+
Definitely! I was glued to the book.
The cover illustration is beautiful, and I am sure older more confident readers will be entranced by this book, Jennie.
Best wishes, Pete.
I think so, Pete. You know how picky I am about good books, and this one is really good. Best to you.
It sounds like words we all need to hear these days.
Oh, yes!
I really want to read this book. Kate DiCamillo is an awesome writer. Her books will stand the test of time.
I feel the same way. Darlene, this one is outstanding, yet nothing like what I expected.
This really sounds fantastic ❤️
It is! Thank you, Alethea
Sounds and loks grand!
You would love it, FR. Monks, monastery, the deep woods, the castle…
at first I was thinking – you are reading this to pre-schoolers? But then I saw the 9 plus age group. Sounds like a terrific book.
P.S. I would not have been too surprised if you were reading it to your pre-k students!
Of course you were thinking, “What is she doing?” I like to recommend older children’s books, too. This one should be read by everyone over the age of 9 (yes, adults.)
And yes, I chapter read older books, but not this one (too sophisticated). Right now we’re more than halfway through The Story of Doctor Dolittle… so good!!
you certainly make a strong case for reading the book – thanks!
You’re welcome, Jim. Reading to children is my thing, and when a winner children’s book is for adults, too… I rest my (strong) case.
If you read the book, please let me know what you think.
I would never doubt your word! 🙂
Super cool stuff
Thank you.
Well this sounds like a book I would enjoy.
I know you would, Don. It’s far more than a children’s book.
This sounds like an extraordinary and compelling book.
It really is, Liz. It’s not just a children’s book. The theme and underlying message took me from worried to cheering, with a long pathway to get there. Her character development is incredible.
I’ve been reading a lot of descriptions and reviews of children’s books lately, and as soon as I started reading your post, it was clear that this book is not the usual fare.
You are right, this is not the usual fare… yet it IS for a Newbery-esque book directed at an older children’s audience. Does that make sense? I’m curious about the reviews you have read on children’s books.
The reviews I’m referring to are the ones I’ve been reading on the Smorgasbord Cafe. They seem to be mostly tidy little object lessons about friendship and embracing differences–but this may be the way the books are discussed moreso than the books themselves. I’ll also confess to a bias against didactic stories from a very young age.
Hi, Liz. I would love to have this conversation with you. Can you email me @ sfitzkee@erols.com?
Sure!
HI Jennie, this sounds lovely. Thank you for introducing me to another wonderful children’s book.
You are welcome, Robbie. Your boys will love this book.
This sounds interesting!
It is!!!
I love this author. She makes the reader, no matter the age, think. Can’t wait to get this book!
You hit the nail on the head! That’s exactly what she does. You won’t be disappointed in her new book. I was glued!
I’ll buy it for myself, then share it with the grandkids. ❤
😀
A lovely message in this book and illustration look fantastic
Thank you. I feel the same way. 🙂
❤
Looks and sounds like a wonderful book, Jennie! Sharing….
Thank you, Bette!
I love that it’s a writer’s book! The illustration looks unique as well! A stand-out!
Jen, I’m not sure what you mean by a writer’s book. Do you mean that Beatryce is a writer? That is so important in the story, because it was against the law for girls and women to read and write. You will love the book. Charlotte will, in 5 or 6 years.
The illustrator is amazing. My favorite book that she illustrated is “Finding Winnie. The True Story of Winnie the Pooh.” Another Charlotte book… in two years. 🙂
This one is great! You can never go wrong with Kate. I buy her books sight unseen because I know they’ll be great.
I do, too. Every book she writes is terrific. So you have read this one? I’m so glad!
Sounds like a lovely book Jennie and I can rememember reading books at that age that had some great moral lessons included that even at then taught me more about the world and my place in it.. ♥
The lessons in this book are there for the reader, while the writer simply tells the story. This is a recipe for great books.
Such a pity I am not in the US as I would love your opinion on my “Penny Tales” which seem to be ideal to read aloud to young children.Stories about talking animals and witches where good overcomes evil usually have universal appeal and I tried to update the problems encountered so that they were relevent to modern times even if they were in a magic kingdom.As the toads have little verses that they chant it can be quite fun for the readers,too. I am not producing them as ebooks.
I shall look up Kate for my 9yr old granddaughter.
Julie, it is a pity that books in America aren’t published elsewhere, unless they’re classics. It’s the same for other countries as well. Your granddaughter (and you) will love Kate’s books. The last time I heard her speak, she told the audience about submitting her first MS to publishers. She had 471 rejections before she found a publisher, and that book (Because of Winn Dixie) won the Newbery. Wow, what a great story! Best to you, and keep writing!
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Thank you, Sally!
Is she the one who wrote The Tale of Despereaux? That was a cute book, although I as thrilled with it as the hype led me to believe. Is this one better, same, or not as good?
Yes, she’s the same author. Interestingly, I’m reading The Tale of Despereaux book to my library group right now. I think this new book is better. Really. I love Because of Winn-Dixie, yet my favorite is The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Have you read these books?
Not the latter. Im obsessed with Winn Dixie. And Out of the Dust.
😀
Lol sorry. Had to add that book bc its my fav. Tangent
I don’t know Out of the Dust. Will check it out.
It’s a Dust Bowl historical fiction told all in poems. By Karen Hesse.
Thank you!
That sounds like a really terrific read, Jennie, the kind of thing I would have loved as a kid. Or now.
The ‘or now’ speaks volumes for you, Mike. It’s castles and a monastery, good and evil, and a child who finds herself in the middle of, well, history. Can you get this book at your library? It’s right up your alley.
This sounds like a wonderful book, Jennie and one I can get to read with Lily 🙂 x
Yes! 🙂
The ‘or now’ speaks volumes for you, Mike. It’s castles and a monastery, good and evil, and a child who finds herself in the middle of, well, history. Can you get this book at your library?
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Thank you, Michael!
Always with a great pleasure, and many thanks for the useful information, Jennie! Enjoy your weekend! xx Michael
🙂
Thanks for recommending another great book, Jennie. I especiallly love the cover art. 😉 Enjoy a beautiful weekend! xx Michael
Glad you enjoyed this, Michael!
I thought this might be a fun project for your students.
Thanks, GP!
Is this book good for a read aloud with a 7 and 6 year old or would it be too complex?
It would be too complex. I would highly recommend “The Wild Robot” by Peter Brown as a read aloud for that age. I read aloud at my local library and that has been a favorite.
Thank you I will check it out!
I’m so glad!
This sounds like a great book, Jennie
It is, Dan! Thank you.
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Kate DiCamillo is a wonderful storyteller and writer. I look forward to reading this one.
She is! I think you’ll love the book. Best to you, Norah.
I’m sure I would. I’ve enjoyed all the ones of hers that I’ve read.
Me, too!
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Yeah
Thank u
You are welcome.
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Thank you.
I love Kate’s magical writing and haven’t read this book yet. Thank you for the recommendation.
You won’t be disappointed. It’s one of her best.