 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village
- By Laura Amy Schlitz
- Genre: History
Common Sense Media says
Unique, brilliant, award-winning history book.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there is some violence here, including what would now be considered child abuse, and that medieval Christian society was prejudiced against Jews and Muslims.
What's the story?
In 19 monologues and two dialogs in verse and prose, the lives of a cast of characters from a medieval village -- nobles and peasants, but all children -- are illuminated. Through them, along with margin notes and periodic background sections, a portrait of life in the Middle Ages is created. Includes Author's Foreword and Bibliography.
Is it any good?
The ways of the ALA Committees can be passing strange, but 2007 was one of the years they got it right. Just as the Caldecott Award went to The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick, a work that blended graphic novel and prose to create the most original novel of the year, so the Newbery Award was given to GOOD MASTERS! SWEET LADIES!, a unique and vivid work that blends fiction, nonfiction, and drama to create something entirely new.
Everything works beautifully here. The styles and voices of the characters vary according to their personalities, the author's own voice is warm and direct, and the illustrations and page design make this an attractive and accessible volume. Lots of information is given, but it is never dry or academic -- the format of monologues by fictional but realistic characters keeps it lively and engrossing. The book will appeal to many kids, including those who don't usually choose nonfiction, and will be useful for history classes and drama productions and workshops. Even reluctant readers will enjoy the clear, direct text, short length, and dramatic content. We can even hope that this brilliant book, with its awards and attendant success, may lead to a renaissance of books for kids that make history come alive.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the Middle Ages. What would it have been like to live then? Which of the characters would you like to be? Why? Also, why do you think this book was chosen for the biggest book award?
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
ZZZZ. More like a coffee table book, or a text book, than a story. Can't see kids reading this on their own. Lovely illustrations though.
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Parent of 6 and 8 year old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Outstanding! A moving spectrum of medieval life, including harsh realities
The short dramatic monologues format makes for a vivid view of a spectrum of children in a medieval village. Short and captivating, yet educational too. A compassionate, moving treatment of many topics I would usually consider too "rough" for younger readers, but this is so well-done and so accessible that it's worthwhile -- just be prepared for some discussion with readers who are on the younger side (8-10) of the recommended age range, or more sensitive. (In addition to the content points mentioned in the CSM review, there are also some earthy parts: mention of pain/fear of childbirth; a girl assists in lambing. Also, a discussion of
cheating-as-a-business-style by the miller.) Recommend for ages 8+ with discussion; otherwise 10+.
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Adult
September 20, 2010
AGE
'Tis great!
Excellent to use for a classroom! What a way to introduce poetry without overwhelming students! Have students act out each, talk about history, and enjoy the vocabulary!
What other families should know:
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Kid, 9 years old
March 7, 2010
AGE
great EDUCATIONAL BOOK
there is not much to worry about. The violence is nothing worse than a boar getting killed and the only language is he** being used in the context of a place. Most of the book is poetry so if don't like poetry avoid it.
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Kid, 9 years old
December 24, 2008
AGE
A great story for people who like drama and medieval times!
This book is one of my favorite books ever! I read it when I was eight and loved it! One of my favorite things about this book is that when there are words the reader may not know the author puts the definition on the side. I love the stories and how we (the readers) get to find out about each character's life and who they are. I suggest the book for children eight and up, unless you don't like drama or are just starting to get interested in medieval times and are learning what the words they used mean as the author uses the way of speaking from back then, then you might want to wait until you are older.
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Educator
May 26, 2010
AGE
Boring book for adults - lack of interest with kids
This is one of the worst books I have read. The fact it is a Newberry winner makes it worse. While the author used catchy prose to help us understand the lives or everyday Medieval culture, the book is boring and not very interesting. This is one of those books Commonsense Media would say appeals to adults but most likely, not children.
What other families should know:
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| Author: | Laura Amy Schlitz |
| Illustrator: | Robert Byrd |
| Book type: | Non-Fiction |
| Genre: | History |
| Publisher: | Candlewick Press |
| Publication date: | August 1, 2007 |
| Number of pages: | 85 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 10 - 14 |
| Read aloud: | 9 - 9 |
| Read alone: | 10 - 10 |
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