Cheryl Carpinello
who is fascinated by the Legends of King Arthur and his Knights. So much so, Cheryl adds to them with wonderful award winning legends of her own.
The
beginning of my fascination with Arthurian Legend started when I took an
English literature class in college and read Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur. Surprising since my family traces their roots
back to England and Wales on both sides of my family.
However, I
fell in love with Arthurian Legend when I read T. H. White’s The Once and Future King and included it
in my high school English curriculum. Sharing with my students the pageantry of
the tournaments and the gallantry of the knights from Malory excited a spark in
my students.
The fast
moving adventure story of Wart, the young King Arthur of White’s creation,
pulled us all into the romantic and gallant story White weaves. It is a story
steeped in all things Arthurian: the exploits of the knights of the Round
Table, heroes like King Arthur and Lancelot, and magic and Merlin.
King Arthur
and the Knights of the Round Table has never lost its appeal to readers. Today
when I talk about the Medieval Times with kids and adults, the talk centers
around the exploits of the knights of the Round Table, heroes like King Arthur
and Lancelot, and magic and Merlin. The stories of the knights with their
quests, their jousts, their rescuing of the damsels in distress, and their fighting
for the underdog dominate the conversation. Never mind that in real life,
knights weren’t always so gallant, and frequently only defended the underdog if
he belong to the same or a higher social class.
The King
Arthur legend has outgrown and overshadowed any historical truth. A remarkable
feat considering that in today’s fast-paced, information-on-the-run world, a
legend reaching as far back as 1136 about a mythical king back in the 5th or
6th century shows no signs of abating. Packed into the Arthurian stories of
quests, jousts, tournaments, and battles are the cornerstones of Honor,
Loyalty, and Friendship that continue to speak to the world and particularly
the young.
 |
| Cover Designer: Kaytalin Platt |
These qualities were consciously incorporated in Young Knights of the Round Table: The King’s Ransom. The Young Knights have become friends via their friendship with a beggar/vagabond called the Wild Man. Without the Wild Man, it is likely that they wouldn’t have met and become friends because they are from very different backgrounds. Eleven-year-old Gavin is the youngest prince of Pembroke Castle in southern Wales. Fifteen-year-old Bryan has been sent to Pembroke by his parents to learn to be a blacksmith. Thirteen-year-old Philip is an orphan who wandered into Pembroke village and lives and works at the church.
 |
| Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.' Pembroke Castle, Wales |
In the
story, someone breaks into the king’s (Gavin’s father) treasury in Pembroke
Castle and not only steals the medallion The King’s Ransom, but also kills the
king’s advisor. The Wild Man is captured and charged with the crime. Belief in
their friend’s innocence spurs the trio to swear a knight’s oath of loyalty to
the Wild Man and embark upon a quest to save him. Their individual quests test
their limits and force each to confront and conquer their fears or face
humiliation and/or even death. Honor. Loyalty, Friendship.
 |
| Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.' Cardigan Bay, Wales |
Young Knights of the Round
Table: The King’s Ransom
2012 Silver Award recipient for YA
Fiction from Children’s Literary Classics
2012 Children’s Literary Classics Seal of
Approval
2012 USA Best Book Awards Finalist for
E-Book Children
In medieval Wales,
eleven-year-old Prince Gavin, thirteen-year-old orphan Philip, and
fifteen-year-old blacksmith's apprentice Bryan are brought together in
friendship by one they call the Wild Man. When an advisor to the king is killed
and a jewelled medallion is stolen from the king’s treasury, the Wild Man is
accused of the theft and murder.
Filled with disbelief at the arrest of
the Wild Man, the three friends embark upon a knight’s quest to save their
friend’s life. To succeed, the three must confront their fears and
insecurities, and one of them will have to disclose the biggest secret of all.
Join Gavin, Philip, and Bryan on their quest
and share the adventures that await them in the land of King Arthur and his
Knights of the Round Table.
Purchase Links:
Barnes & Noble
Blog:
14 comments:
I read The King's Ransom and just loved it. So did one of my boys! I highly recommend this book.
So did I Suzanne. A King's Ransom is very entertaining and atmospheric for young and old. Thank you for being here.
What's not to love about Arthurian legend. Couldn't get enough of it when I was younger... this book is a great read.
Great post Wendy, Cheryl.
I agree, Rosalie. Lovely to see you here.
Thanks for stopping by, Rosalie. There is only one King Arthur!
Wendy, thanks for having me here today!
Suzanne, thanks for stopping by and for your kind comments.
King Arthur certainly conquered the world if only the world of fiction. Quite amazing how Arthurian legends have spread and continue to do so.
Wish you great success with your young knights of the round table, Cheryl.
Thank you Edith. Happy you could stop by.
Cheryl! I really want to read your book looks inteesting :)
Thank you, Carolina. I would love to have you read it.
Thank you for linking up on the Kid Lit Blog Hop!
Happy Friday!
Ang
Thanks for taking the time to stop by, Angela. Cheryl
Aw, we just adore Cheryl and her books too! I, personally can't get enough of Arthurian legend. Thanks for linking into the Kid Lit Blog Hop! :)
Post a Comment