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| Author: Laura Amy Schlitz
Creator: Robert Byrd
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Category: Book
List Price: $19.99
Buy New: $11.99
You Save: $8.00 (40%)
New (43) Used (8) Collectible (5) from $11.96
Avg. Customer Rating:  18 reviews
Sales Rank: 1840
Media: Hardcover
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 96
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.6
Dimensions (in): 10.4 x 7.2 x 0.6
ISBN: 0763615781
Dewey Decimal Number: 812.6
EAN: 9780763615789
ASIN: 0763615781
Publication Date: July 24, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
A gem for the appropriate classroom. May 20, 2008
The fact that the book is made up of monologues by villagers, like "Spoon River Anthology's" poetry, makes it a natural for dramatic presentations in experiencing life in a medieval village in a social studies class -- middle school, or high school. When students "live" a character first hand, in costume, they experience a different life, and they remember much more of the information. MTL
 Poetry and Beautiful Illustrations May 5, 2008
I'm not a big follower of awards, but there are two literary awards that almost never disappoint--the Booker Prize and the Newbery Award. I try to make a point of reading as many of these winners as I can because they are always pleasurable and often end up being among my favorites. If Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! won't end up being among my favorite Newbery's, it is still a wonderful read.
Subtitled "Voices From a Medieval Village," in this book Ms. Schlitz gives a series of poetic monologues from different characters in a medieval village, from nobility to serfs. It is well done, using various styles and personalities and often linking different stories together in subtle ways. She also includes some background information on medieval life and definitions of various terms. It should also be noted that Robert Byrd's illustrations are absolutely beautiful.
If this book is missing, for me, some of the power and emotional impact of, say, Karen Cushman's books set in medieval times (and also Newbery winners), that is no fault of Ms. Schlitz. She is trying to achieve something rather different and she does that rather well. (I also have to admit being personally pickier about poetry over prose.) Still, this book is excellent and should be read, particularly with all the young readers in your house.
Absolutely fantastic! May 3, 2008
I am going to get this for my 12-year-old daughter!! Great, great, great, way to experience medieval life in England!!
Excellent choice for a Newbery March 8, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Finally, a book worthy of the Newbery. Ms. Schlitz is a librarian who wrote this for some students studying the medieval era. Robert Byrd's vibrant illustrations definitely complement the book. Ms. Schlitz weaves together an history of medieval England with the personal accounts of 23 characters whose lives intertwine. It is not a novel so much as historical fiction in a series of short plays (19 monologues and 2 dialogues).
The author provides interesting background information that sets the stage for the characters and gives the reader a snapshot of medieval life. The characters are related in that they live in the same place, and each one has a unique perspective, but there is no overarching story to tie all of characters together.
Deeply Felt Vignettes February 5, 2008
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
Winner of the 2008 Newbery Medal, "Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!" is a collection of 21 short monologues and dialogues -- poetry and prose -- written in the voices of kids in and around a 1255 English manor.
Each child is tagged with a role in the manor's society or trades (for example, the Lord's daughter, the miller's son), but each also illustrates what it's like to conquer a fear, or lose a parent, or be an outcast, or be heavy with responsibility ... or feel the first stirrings of romance. The stories pulse with tension and emotion, and build beautifully as the various characters sometimes echo one other, sometimes contrast. Robert Byrd's illustrations enhance the narratives, and the author uses footnotes and intermissions to supply bits of medieval history; she also provides a 54-item bibliography.
A terrific book, highly recommended!
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