Title: The Minstrel's Tale

Author: Haar, Berit

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Thirteen year old Judith of Nesscliff is a talented musician.  If she had it her way, she would be composing and playing.  Unfortunately in 14th century England, girls can't be musicians.  Girls are expected to be timid, obedient, and gentle, which was the exact opposite of Judith.  Her stepfather is a cruel man, and he plans Judith's marriage to a revolting old man.  Judith's desire to become a King's Minstrel grows even stronger.  She disguises herself as a  boy and runs away to become a minstrel, but she faces even greater danger than she imagined.  Will Judith make the 200 mile journey to become a King's Minstrel or will she be returned to her stepfather's home?

Rating:

The introduction had a very different beginning from a lot of books. It started with a prologue for the introduction, not one other book I’ve read started out like that. Also it had an adventurous beginning. It didn’t talk about something that wasn’t important. It plunged right into interesting stuff. It was descriptive and had unusual words like gallant.

It had a variety of characters. It made only the main characters seem real by describing them really well. For example, when Judith had a reaction toward something, I would feel that reaction. It didn’t use all the 5 senses to describe the less main characters, as they did on the main ones. It would have been better if it had more information on the other main characters. Otherwise it had lots of witty conversations. The book was written as if the author was in their shoes.

It taught 2 very important lessons that are used a lot in life: Be thankful for what we have and never give up on something that other people dislike. If it’s the right thing to do.

The events had hilarious plots with a cliff-hanging guess of what happens next. It didn’t have too many little plots but a couple of main, important plots. All the plots were exciting and unusual.

This book held my interest. I didn’t waver while reading it. It was a very exciting book and a page-turner. I enjoy exciting books when I’m bored, so I can feel like I’m having an adventure. It didn’t have dull things, but one part was a little weak when it talked about a little woman for about 2 chapters that had given Judith food.

The organization would have been better if it had stuck to the topic more often. For example, when Judith was shooting a falcon down with a rock, it started talking about her stepfather. It also didn’t place things where they should’ve been.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys adventures, twist-turning plots, and funny conversations in books. [Linda]