Namesake

by Sue MacLeod

Pajama Press

978-1927485293

232 pp.

Ages 12+

May 1, 2013

In current-day Halifax, teen Jane Grey and fellow classmates in her Advanced Placement History are embarking on their research projects and it would seem obvious that she would focus on her Namesake, Lady Jane Grey.

Just a bit of a history lesson for those unfamiliar with the Nine Days Queen.  In 1553, due to the machinations of her parents and the Duke of Northumberland, Lady Jane Grey was made heir to the King of England, Edward VI.  She had already wed the son of the Duke of Northumberland, so when Edward VI passed, the Duke declared Lady Jane to be Queen of England, sure that he could control the throne through her.   However, according to succession, Lady Jane's cousin Mary, King Edward VI's half-sister and King Henry VIII's daughter, would be next Queen.  Imprisoned until the arrival of soon-to-be Queen Mary I, Lady Jane was hopeful of a pardon because becoming Queen had never been her intention.  However, with her parents and the Duke playing the odds with her against Mary, and because her strong belief in her Protestant faith conflicted with Mary's Catholicism, a pardon was not granted and Lady Jane was executed.

In the twenty-first century, Jane discovers a small book called Booke of Prayre while unpacking her backpack of library books.  Reading aloud from it, Jane is transported mysteriously to the environs of the Tower of London, eavesdropping on two women, Mistress Tilney and Mistress Ellen gossiping about "our lady." Repeated visits to 1553 has Jane making the acquaintance of Lady Jane Grey and learning of her fate, her hopes, her regrets and her position on her faith.  Knowing what historically happened to Lady Jane, Jane wonders about her purpose in being sent back.  Was she to help the Lady convert to Catholicism?  Was she to help Lady Grey escape? Or was she there simply to provide her with companionship?

Dealing with her own tenuous situation at home, Jane is sympathetic to Lady Jane's dilemma, recognizing the similarity in the extent of their dire circumstances and inability to change them.  Since the death of her father, Jane has come to recognize that her mother Analise works in one of three modes: Mode One is Single Mother as Hero; Mode Two is the Nothing mode; and Mode Three is Hell.  Though a competent English professor, Analise harbours much anger related to her husband's death, and deals with it using alcohol which just exacerbates her mood swings and colours her interactions with Jane.  Not surprising that Jane has concerns when her history group must meet at eachother's homes for study and editing sessions.  And with best friend Megan hanging out with the tactless Crisco and wrapped up in a boyfriend situation, Jane is feeling more and more isolated and unable to find support.  For Jane, slipping back into 1553 gives her an opportunity to exert some control.

While Namesake may be initially seen as a standard time-slip novel, with a contemporary character going back in time to learn something which she could apply to her own life, the book goes beyond this by Jane trying to take an active role in Lady Jane's situation, even to the point of altering history if need be.  Jane educates Lady Jane on the vernacular and popular culture of her Halifax and Canada.  And while Lady Jane does begin to try out some of her new vocabulary, she uses it as a foreign language, not dropping the occasional work into her own speech.  Sue MacLeod has given Lady Jane a voice so authentic that her use of newly-acquired vocabulary provides for some much-needed humour.  Her voice is true and melodic, never wavering from that of a sixteenth-century young woman.

I am especially pleased by the direction the author takes Jane's time slip, allowing for the two young women, just sixteen, to share their lives and their stories, and Jane anticipating bringing Lady Jane back with her.  But, when Lady Jane does slip into Jane's time, it spurs a new relationship between Jane and her neighbour, the elderly woman she has nicknamed Mrs. Lynde (à la Green Gables), who surprisingly becomes her salvation.

The history is true, the twists unique and the touches of humour and romance are heart-warming. And Namesake still delivers an open ending that takes the reader to a more hopeful situation than Lady Jane's true horrific ending.

Middle Ages (Medieval Times) Book List II

Clip art from www.teacherfiles.com

This is the second list of Canadian titles that deal with Medieval Times or the Middle Ages, which is generally accepted to have occurred from about 500 to 1500 C.E., after the fall of the Roman Empire until the Renaissance Era (14th c. to 16th c.). Several of these young adult books may be set in the 17th century as well.

Young Adult Fiction

1212: Year of the Journey 
by Kathleen McDonnell
Second Story Press
290 pp.
Ages 12+
2006
Based on a true story of a peaceful crusade in 1212 led by children, 1212 traces the lives of three multi-faith characters who search for answers to their questions about faith.

The Apprentice's Masterpiece: A Story of Medieval Spain
by Melanie Little
Annick Press
310 pp.
Ages 12+
2009
In fifteenth century Spain, the Benvenistes, a family of conversos (Jews who converted to Christianity) must keep their secrets well once Queen Isabella comes to power and imposes her intolerance on the country. After Amir, a young man in Muslim attire, is welcomed by the family, shocking events, including the Spanish Inquisition, transpire to divide and destroy the family.

The Battle for Duncragglin
by Andrew H. Vanderwal
Tundra
310 pp.
Ages 11-14
2009
From a mysterious cave in Scotland, a young boy is transported to late 13th century and the time of William Wallace's struggle for Scottish independence.

The Burning Time
by Carol Matas
Orca
106 pp.
Ages 13-15
1994/200
Rose, a fifteen-year-old girl, and her mother are accused of witchcraft in late 1500's France. 

An Earthly Knight
by Janet McNaughton
HarperCollins
255 pp.
Ages 8-15
2003 
After her sister is disgraced,  Lady Jeanette Avenel, the teen  daughter of a Norman nobleman in Scotland, finds herself betrothed to the king's younger brother and heir.

Crusade: The Heretic's Secret, Book 1
by John Wilson
Key Porter
348 pp.
Ages 11-14
2009

Grail: The Heretic's Secret, Book 2
by John Wilson
Key Porter
348 pp.
Ages 11-14
2009
Two teenaged boys, John and Peter, raised in a Catholic orphanage, find themselves on opposite sides of the Roman Catholic Church's crusade against the Cathars in 13th century France.

Nine Days Queen
by Karleen Bradford
Scholastic
200 pp.
Ages 13+
1986
The story of Lady Jane Grey who was forced to become queen of England in 1553 when she was only 15 years of age.

The Sinclair Saga
by Mark Finnan
Formac
154 pp.
Ages 13+
1999
The story of Prince Henry Sinclair of Scotland and his possible voyages to the New World in the late 14th century.

Ingamald
by Gail Sidonie Sobat
Spotted Cow Press
110 pp.
Ages 12-17
2001

A Winter's Tale
by Gail Sidonie Sobat
Great Plains Publications
172 pp.
Ages 12-17
2004

A Glass Darkly
by Gail Sidonie Sobat
Great Plains Publications
192 pp.
Ages 12-17
2006
This fantasy trilogy in a medieval setting tells the story of young Ingamald's battle to rid her homeland of Hinterland from the evil Morton Cornelius Winter, the self-proclaimed lord of the land.

Middle Ages (Medieval Times): Book List I

Clip art from www.teacherfiles.com

Most school curricula include a unit on Medieval Times or the Middle Ages, which is generally accepted to have occurred from about 500 to 1500 C.E., after the fall of the Roman Empire until the Renaissance Era (14th c. to 16th c.).  The following fiction by Canadian authors and/or illustrators generally falls into that time period and, although the Viking Age occurred during Medieval Times, I've chosen to prepare a separate a book list for it to keep this list more manageable. 

Medieval Times Fiction

After Hamelin
by Bill Richardson
Annick Press
227 pp.
Ages 10+
2000
The Pied Piper may have led most of the children from Hamelin, Germany, but two children escape: Penelope who has lost her hearing and Alloway who is crippled and falls behind the parade of children.  It's up to Penelope to find a way to return the children to their homes.

The Alchemist's Portrait
by Simon Rose
Tradewind Books
134 pp.
Ages 8-12
2003
Michael's school trip to the museum has him recruited to help Peter Glimmer who is trapped in his own portrait in a museum, courtesy of his evil alchemist uncle in 1666.

Attack by Knight (Looney Bay All Stars series)
by Helaine Becker
Illustrated by Sampar
Scholastic Canada
66 pp.
Ages 7-9
2006
When two quarreling knights time-travel to the time of the Looney Bay All Stars, the kids challenge their rivals, the Trinity Bay Marauders, to a lacrosse match.

Betrayed: The Legend of Oak Island
by Christopher Dinsdale
Napoleon
292 pp.
Ages 10+
2009
Prince Henry Sinclair of Norway, Earl of Orkney, and Knight Templar is in possession of a unique gift that he intends to use to uphold peace in the world, unlike the warring European kings who would sacrifice all for it.  With the help of an unusual assortment of new allies, Prince Henry heads westward to the lands discovered by the Vikings to keep the treasure safe.

A Company of Fools
by Deborah Ellis
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
191 pp.
Ages 9-14
2002
In 1336, at the Abbey of St. Luc, Henri, a studious choir boy, and Micah, a rebellious choir student, join forces to become the Company of Fools, a group that aims to cheer the people dealing with the deaths from the Black Plague.

There Will be Wolves: The First Book of The Crusades
by Karleen Bradford
HarperCollins
185 pp.
Ages 10-12
1992

Shadows on a Sword: The Second Book of The Crusades
by Karleen Bradford
HarperCollins
249 pp.
Ages 10-12
1996

Lionheart's Scribe: The Third Book of The Crusades
by Karleen Bradford
HarperCollins
204 pp.
Ages 10-12
1999

The Scarlet Cross: The Fourth Book of The Crusades
by Karleen Bradford
HarperCollins
169 pp.
Ages 10-12
2006

Angeline: The Fifth Book of The Crusades
by Karleen Bradford
HarperCollins
180 pp.
Ages 11-15
2004
Karleen Bradford's extraordinary historical fiction series follows the lives of young people from France, England and the Holy Roman Empire who are compelled or choose to join the Crusades to liberate the Holy City of Jerusalem.

Crusades: Kids @ The Crossroads
by Laura Scandiffio
Illustrated by Tina Holdcroft
Annick Press
72 pp.
Ages 9-11
2009
Follow the blog posts of a child from 1212 recreating the adventures, lifestyle and context from the time of the Crusades.

Garth and the Mermaid
by Barbara Claassen Smucker
Penguin
135 pp.
Ages 8-12
1992
When young Garth is hit by a car while trying to keep a classmate from injury, he awakens from unconsciousness as a young peasant on a medieval estate in East Anglia, familiar to him from the Middle Ages he is studying in school.

Ghosts in the Churchyard: A Medieval Adventure
by Marty Pullin
Illustrated by John Richer

Sheffield Museum Publishing

151 pp.

2005

In 13th century England, the village of Tintinhull is robbed on the night when children, including twins William and Emily, await the appearance of a ghost in the churchyard.  The twins use their new psychic gifts to solve the mystery that has ghosts (good and evil), brawling, sheriffs and suspicion getting in the way.  Maps, a glossary and much discussion of medieval society enhance the story.  For those who prefer a shorter book without the supernatural characters of Ghosts in the Churchyard, a second version called Peasants and Thieves is also available.

The Heretic's Tomb
by Simon Rose
Tradewind Books
165 pp.
Ages 8-12
2007
After she discovers an unusual amulet at the archaeological site of the tomb of Lady Isabella Devereaux, a woman decried as a heretic in 1349, Annie finds herself time-travelling back to the time of the Black Death.

Jayden's Rescue
by Vladimir Tumanov
Scholastic Canada
123 pp.
Ages 8-12
2002
The evil sorcerer-king is holding Queen Jayden captive in his castle and only Sam and Alex can save her. This is the plot of the book that Alex is reading but he begins to understand that Jayden is real and actually does need his help. A series of math problems help propel the story, all in aid of Jayden's Rescue.

The Mystery of the Medieval Coin
by A. D. Fast
Vanwell or Tea Leaf Press
157 pp.
Ages 8-11
2004

To Save a King (sequel to The Mystery of the Medieval Coin)
by A.D. Fast
Vanwell
157 pp.
Ages 8-11
2004

In The Mystery of the Medieval Coin, Lucas, Marvin, and Nicole are perplexed by the strange behaviour of their history teacher, Mr. LeClair.  They follow him to an ancient cave and time-travel back to France in the Middle Ages.  With the medieval coin from The Mystery of the Medieval Coin, the three children return to 1450 France in To Save a King, again to outwit their teacher, but this time to save King Charles VII.

Neil Flambé and the Crusader's Curse
by Kevin Sylvester

Simon & Schuster Books for Young People

978-1-44244-408-9

291 pp.

Ages 8-14

2012

Ever since the 1200's, the ancestors of teen chef Neil Flambé have been cursed.  Now, just having turned 15, Neil finds his glorious dishes taste worse than sawdust and his restaurant's re-opening is doomed to fail.

On a Medieval Day: Story Voyages around the World
by Rona Arato
Illustrated by Peter Ferguson
Maple Tree Press
96 pp.
Ages 10-12
2010
Rona Arato does a superb job of recreating the Medieval Times through a series of fictitious accounts by young people who lived in Europe, Africa, the Far East and Vinland during these times.  Additional information supports each story.

The Princess Pawn
by Maggie L. Wood
Sumach Press
299 pp.
Ages 11-14
2003
Willow is transported to the fantasy world of Mistolear, in which she is a princess with magical powers.  In Mistolear,  a fairy tale setting with castles, knights, princesses and medieval society, Willow is part of a mystic chess game for control of the universe.

Seeds of Time
by K. C. Dyer
Dundurn
256 pp.
Ages 10-13
2002
After a motorcycle accident in which her father is killed and she has part of her leg amputated, Darrell is sent to the Eagle Glen art school from which she time-travels to the 1300's.

Sir Fartsalot Hunts the Bogger
by Kevin Bolger
Razorbill/Penguin
215 pp.
Ages 9+
2008
After prankster Prince Harry convinces an aging knight, Sir Fartsalot, the lover of all turnip dishes, that the dreaded Booger is threatening the kingdom, his father sends him to accompany the knight on a quest for the Booger.  With a story rife with puns and humour, Prince Harry learns much about gallantry, chivalry and heroism.

The Sorcerer’s Letterbox
by Simon Rose
Tradewind Books
114 pp.
Ages 8-11
2004
Jack discovers a letter in a drawer and finds himself corresponding with Edward V, one of the princes imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1483. After penning a reply, Jack finds himself trapped in late medieval England.
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Follow-up lists will include young adult and non-fiction titles dealing with the Middle Ages.

Also, if you know of any other books which you think are appropriate for this book list, please contact me so that I may consider adding them.

Catla and the Vikings

Written by Mary Elizabeth Nelson

Orca Book Publishers

pbk: 9781459800571

ebook: 9781459800588

191 pp.

Ages 9-13

2012

Catla is only 13 years of age but she must decide whether she will accept an offer to marry the bossy pedlar, Olav, who cares little for any ideas except his own.  This is the decision she is mulling over while collecting plants on the heath away from her village of Covehithe in Northumbria.  But, after detecting vast smoke from the village, that deliberation is quickly put aside as she runs to Covehithe to observe the village being burned by Vikings, a.k.a Nord-devils, and the villagers being herded towards the goats' pen.  Daughter of the headman, Athelstan, and former warrior Sarah, Catla gathers her courage to seek help in Aigber, the village a day's walk away.

Though she fears goblins, fairies, wolves and barrow ghosts, in addition to getting lost, Catla unknowingly distracts herself by raging against the vicious Nord-devils and by pitying herself for being the one left to help the village.  Luckily, after resting at the standing stones overnight, she chances upon Sven, a young man from Covehithe, returning from York.  Companionably Sven and Catla make their way to Aigber, but not before encountering a group of Norsemen themselves heading to Aigber but by water.

Once Catla and Sven reach Aigber and convince Hugh, the headman, about the veracity of their tale, they help that community prepare to shelter mothers and children in a hill fort while planning to defend and even capture the Norsemen who attack.  Only once Aigber is safe will they move on to rescuing Covehithe from the Vikings.

In the mind-bargaining that often accompanies tragic circumstances, Catla promises herself that she will marry Olav if her family is saved.  But her interactions with Sven and the equitable relationship she witnesses between Hugh and his wife, Edith, suggest that there are men who value the ideas and contributions of women, and Catla is both fascinated and appreciative of these attitudes.  In her efforts to help Covehithe, Catla is empowered to see beyond the attitudes of her father and the customs he acclaims.

Mary Elizabeth Nelson's story of Catla and the Vikings is rich in the essences of 11th century England.  The tangible attributes of the houses' roof thatch, to the beer and drinking horns, and the weaponry and clothing are woven through the text, providing a background of authenticity and lushness to Catla's and Covehithe's stories.  But it's the language of her characters at which Mary Elizabeth Nelson excels.  I don't want to be a gull (i.e., so trusting and naive) but the descriptive names for common objects or events (e.g., "short-shadow meal" for lunch; "Longest Day celebration" for the Summer Equinox) harmonize with the setting of Catla and the Vikings while enhancing the historical account (fictional, of course) of modest communities defeating invasions by their infamous foes.  If Mary Elizabeth Nelson is encouraged to follow up Catla and the Vikings (and there are so many directions she could take that sequel), she will find her stories successfully filling a middle grade niche that doesn't plunge or even cusp into the young adult realm.