The legend of King Arthur and his knights has been the subject of plays, poems, movies, and stories for centuries. In the book, Song of the Sparrow, the legend of Elaine, the Lady of Shallot, is beautifully intertwined with Arthur's quest to overcome the Saxons. Elaine is instrumental in Arthur's success in conquering the enemy.
The story begins with Elaine and her family coming to live with Arthur and his knights. When Elaine is a young girl she witnesses the brutal murder of her mother by the Saxons. Along with her father and her two brothers she then joins Arthur and his knights. As the only female in the camp, she tends to mending and nursing the knights as they return from their battles. With the passing of time, Elaine grows into a beautiful young woman. At the end of the story, Elaine shows her own bravery and courage and helps to save the men that she so dearly loves.
Lisa Ann Sandell wrote the Song of the Sparrow in free verse poetry. All of the dialogue is printed in italics. As you read, you feel as if you are right there just listening to the conversations between Elaine, Arthur, Lancelot, Gwynivere, and Tristan.
The book is timeless. The themes of love, friendship, peace, and hope are universal. Once you start reading this book, you won't want to put it down.
I feel that this book would be appropriate for upper grade students. This book may be a selection that girls would enjoy more than boys. Even though it is a fictional story about knights, the story centers around Elaine and her feelings as she becomes a young woman.
4 comments:
This might be a way to do paired reading. Using this text for the girls to expand their knowledge about King Arthur and allowing the boys to read a text on King Arthur.
I agree with May, this would be a great way to get girls interested in King Arthur and his court. Unless of course that girl was me in high school. I HATED poetry! ;-) It would take a very good teacher to make kids learn to love poetry in high school. For me, it took a college professor that actually took the time to teach me how to read Milton and Shakepeare for me to really love that form of writing.
I hate old English poetry too! I'm trying to put myself back in high school and think of how I would have taken to this book. I think there is definitly an audience for it and it would make a nice addition to the class. But i would be hesitant to force any type if activity or assignment with it. I mean, the two or so years in college spent on Milton and my 3000 page bible of old poetry was quite enough! oh, but i would want to see how this book used "the lady of shallot."
Nice job, Mary! Have you seen that your booktalk has been viewed 34 times already? This is great.
If you want, I can take your video link and place it into your posting so that you can click directly on it after reading your review.
Take care,
Tom
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