The Badger Knight

About this book

Adrian is small for his age, even for a twelve year old. It doesn't help that he's an albino, which makes those he meets wonder if he's an angel or a devil. His father is a bowyer, and all Adrian wants to do is become apprenticed and go off to war as a long bowman. But that's not what his father wants for him. Since Adrian can write, his father wants him to be a scribe. That's just about the last thing Adrian wants. When the Scots invade England and Adrian's best friend Hugh runs off to find his father and fight in battles, Adrian soon follows, intent on finding Hugh and joining him in glorious warfare against the pagans invading England from the north. When Adrian finds Hugh, who is caring for a wounded Scotsman, he's horrified that Hugh would aid an enemy. But soon, as Adrian gets to know the Donald, he begins to question what he's been taught about the enemy and the nature of war. In this epic journey an afflicted boy finds and inner strength he never knew belonged to him.

Reviews

Praise for The Badger Knight:

*“The integration of historical facts into the text is seamless; readers will leave knowing a sturdy amount about England and Scotland in 1346 but won't even notice how much they are learning, as it is all so cleanly embedded into Adrian's gripping, often harrowing, adventures.” –BCCB, starred review

“Her skillful rendering of medieval life–its smells and limitations and ignorance–is reminiscent of the best from Kathryn Cushman or Avi's Crispin novels.” –Booklist

“The medieval-era mud and dung, as well as a scene of graphic battle violence, should captivate readers seeking total immersion in a distant, yet vibrantly imagined era.” –Publishers Weekly

Praise for Mockingbird:

Winner of the National Book Award

“Allusions to Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, the portrayal of a whole community's healing process, and the sharp insights into Caitlyn's behavior enhance this fine addition to the recent group of books with narrators with autism and Asbergers.” –Booklist

“A valuable book.” –School Library Journal

“A strong and complex character study.” –The Horn Book

Praise for Seeing Red:

*“A powerful indictment of injustice of all forms and an equally powerful and dramatic demonstration that young people, by taking individual action, can actually change history. This is an important book that deserves the widest possible readership.” –Booklist, starred review

“This thought-provoking book will be a valuable addition for any library.” –Library Media Connection