Child of the May [Hardcover]

Theresa Tomlinson (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1998 | Age Level: 10 and up | Series: Venture-Health & the Human Body

Fifteen-year-old Magda helps Robin Hood's men rescue Lady Matilda and her daughter Isabelle from the clutches of the Sheriff of Nothingham's evil henchman.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9-This exciting sequel to The Forestwife (Orchard, 1995) features John and Emma's daughter Magda. A prologue explains that Emma has just been murdered by the evil mercenary FitzRanulf, and John and Robert, the Hooded One, have taken the infant to Marian, the Forestwife, for care. The action then shifts to some 15 years later. The forest dwellers have been enlisted to help their friend Isabel, her mother, and a nun who have been imprisoned because of Isabel's refusal to marry FitzRanulf. When the men go to seek additional help, the forestwomen fear that they won't return in time and hatch a plan to save the women themselves. In the process, Magda kills FitzRanulf, avenging the death of her mother. A subplot involves a budding romance between Magda and Tom, a character featured in the earlier novel. Readers unfamiliar with the first book may initially be confused but once the action gets going, this story stands on its own. However, the swift climax and resolution are a bit unsatisfying, mostly because the author has created characters whom readers want to know more about. The epilogue hints at a sequel. This novel will please fans of Karen Cushman's The Midwife's Apprentice (Clarion, 1995) and send them looking for the prequel to this story if they haven't already read it.
Cheri Estes, Detroit Country Day School Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 6^-10. This sequel to The Forestwife (1995) is not as focused as its predecessor, but it is packed with action and energy. The story revolves around 15-year-old Magda, daughter of John and apprentice to Marian, the forestwife. Magda is impatient to leave the woods and experience life, but she gets more than she bargained for as she attempts to help Robert--Robin Hood--and his band rescue Isabel and her mother, Lady Matilda, from the Sheriff of Nottingham and his evil Wolf Pack. It takes cunning and a tumultuous final battle, in which Magda is able to display her skills as an archer, but finally the safety of the two women is ensured. Tomlinson does a fine job of juxtaposing the story's many exciting moments with history. In some cases, the characterizations are slight (and why are there two characters named Matilda?), but Magda is strong and prickly, and tender when necessary. As the epilogue implies, she will make a worthy successor to the forestwife. Libraries holding the first book, will certainly want this. Ilene Cooper

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Orchard Books (NY) (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531301184
• ISBN-13: 978-0531301180
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,759,217 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tongue Wagging, January 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Child of the May (Hardcover)

Following the preceding book THE FORESTWIFE, CHILD OF MAY takes place in the future where the previous princess who ran away from an arranged marriage becomes the forestwife, literally. In this stand alone sequel, it's another beautiful and inspiring tale of a young female searching for her place in life.

Lovers of the acclaimed authors Robin Mckinley, Patricia Wrede, Donna Jo Napoli, Tamora Pierce, and even Sherwood Smith with fall in love with this new and astounding mediaeval writer's talent for the tongue of long ago.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even better than it's predeceser, if that were possible!, December 20, 2000

By 

"kandladin" (Castle) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Child of the May (Paperback)

This was a wonderful book that was in some ways even better than its towering prodeceser, if that were possible! The story is about Magda, the fifteen year old daughter of Little John and the late Emma, who was a close friend of Marian the forestwife, who has raised her so far. Magda however, is totally bored with chores and caring for sick people, and she longs to join her father and Robin Hood and his band of outlaws. She gets her wish, and she goes with her father and the outlaws to save some girl, but faces more challenges than she was prepared for when she finds herself facing in battle the man who ruthlessly murdered her mother. Part of why I liked this book was that it showed in true depth a father's love for his daughter, and that more of the action, in fact all of it, took place with the main character right in the thick of it, instead of just having it happen to other people "offscreen". This was a truly wonderfull book with beautiful writing and style and I would reccamend it to anyone who enjoys strong female heroes.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Maturity of Theresa Tomlinson's Writing, January 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Child of the May (Hardcover)

shows in this work. In my view, I found no clumsy plotting or plodding in this installment of the Maid Marian and Robin Hood story. Everything about this book was beautiful, the writing that takes you back into the middle ages also passed my test of reality. The only problem was that the cover of this book was rather immature...there was no magic or mystery about the female with an arrow. Even though the cover isn't spellbinding-like Crown Duel or Little Sister- the story more beautiful than one can comprehend.

The book may be easier to follow and grasp if you read the previous book The Forestwife, the book begins with a jerk jump like you already know who the characters are...new readers will stumble and crawl around guessing who's who.