Gr. 5-8. The voice of Henri, a choir student in the Abbey of St. Luc in 1348, is clear, thoughtful, and sweet as he chronicles the events of the previous year, when the Black Death came to France and when Micah came to the abbey. Brother Bartholomew is always bringing odd things back from his travels, like the muddy stick that became a rose bush. He brings filthy, noisy Micah too; the boy can sing like an angel. Henri, quiet, bookish, and in love with the order and rule of the abbey, is astonished by Micah, who does as he pleases. Then comes the plague, and Paris is no longer a place of bright wonders. Micah and Henri hatch the idea of singing to cheer the populace, so they become the Company of Fools, providing a respite from the constant funeral dirges. What happens to Micah's song, and to Henri, makes a vivid chronicle of monks, good and bad, and intentions, good and bad, set in the horrific context of a plague year. Quicksilver language and strong imagery propel a powerful historical tale.
GraceAnne DeCandidoCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Review
"...the sudden, devastating changes wrought by the plague on orderly monastic life is ably captured, and middle-graders fascinated by matters medieval will want to add this to their reading list."
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The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "...like all good books, there are many threads that can be followed and teased to weave into the fabric of the school curriculum."
-- ResourceLinks
"Readers will be amazed and horrified by this intimate chronicle of true friendship, laughter and the smell of Death...Ellis's characters are richly developed, and the desire to know what happens to Micah and Henri will pull readers along. The plot spans three years, but Ellis manages to show all the key scenes with sharp dialogue and detailed action. Readers will become familiar with religious life in the abbey, the gruesome horrors of the Plague, and how superstition outmatched scientific knowledge during the 14th century. The abbey diagram, historical note, Plague map, and glossary further clarify the historical setting."
-- Books in Canada
"The voice of Henri, a choir student in the Abbey of St. Luc in 1348, is clear, thoughtful, and sweet as he chronicles the events of the previous year, when the Black Death came to France and when Micah came to the abbey. Brother Bartholomew is always bringing odd things back from his travels, like the muddy stick that became a rose bush, and he brings filthy, noisy Micah too: the boy can sing like an angel. Henri, quiet, bookish, and in love with the order and rule of the abbey, is astonished by Micah, who does as he pleases. Then comes the plague, and Paris is no longer a place of bright wonders. Micah and Henri hatch the idea of singing to cheer the populace, so they become the Company of Fools, providing respite from the constant funeral dirges. What happens to Micah_s song, and to Henri, makes a vivid chronicle of monks, good and bad, and intentions, good and bad, set in the horrific context of a plague year. Quicksilver language and strong imagery propel a powerful historical tale."
-- Booklist
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
