The Feverbird's Claw [Library Binding]

Jane Kurtz (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

Twice, on the last day of her childhood, Moralin sees death coming straight at her. The first time, in the fighting yard, she saves herself. But the second time, outside the city walls . . .

Moralin is captured by the Arkera, age-old enemies of her people. They dress in rough clothes and use a language Moralin can't understand. Why have they kidnapped her? Why are they taking her with them into the heart of the red forest, where the fire-breathing skulkuk lives? And if Moralin can escape, can she survive the skulkuk and the other perils of the wilderness?

Moralin is about to face death again. She is also about to uncover secrets -- secrets about the Arkera, her own people, and herself.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9-Kurtz has created an elaborate fantasy world filled with danger, beauty, and conflict. The story's underlying adventure focuses on Moralin, who has been secretly trained in the art of combat by her grandfather, Old Tamlin. Moralin is one of the highborn Delagua people who live securely in a walled city. Her need for friendship makes her join three other girls on a forbidden journey beyond the city walls on the eve of their entry into temple service, a transition into womanhood. This decision catapults her into life-threatening adventures. Once outside the safety of the city walls, the girls are captured by the Arkera, the enemies of the Delagua. Kurtz spins an intricate yarn with one danger leading to another. Old Tamlin's wise teachings bolster Moralin's courage as she pretends to cooperate while planning her escape. She forms an alliance with Figt, a girl charged with watching over her, and the two eventually become true friends, willing to risk their lives for one another. Philosophical underpinnings show the selfish goals of each society without regard to the world as a whole. As Moralin's spiritual guardian, Cora Linga, has said in a dream, "humans hardly ever get it right." Though often confusing and with emphasis on plot over rich character development, this intriguing story with its strong heroine will appeal to fantasy fans.
Renee Steinberg, formerly at Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-8. After girl-warrior Moralin ventures outside her walled city on a dare, she is kidnapped by the Arkera, a clan she has been taught to fear and despise. She escapes, although not before her participation in the life of the clan begins to erode her prejudices against her kidnappers. Grappling with "feelings . . . tangled as thread," Moralin allies with an Arkeran girl on a mission to rescue her brother, who has been enslaved by Moralin's own people. The pace of Kurtz's first fantasy is a bit uneven, involving long stretches of grueling travel intended to highlight Moralin's mental and physical stamina. However, the theme of questioning entrenched assumptions will resonate with readers, as will Moralin's gradual embrace of her broadening horizons: "Wasn't it strange how you could see the most wonderful things in the world, but if your heart wasn't open to wonder everything looked no better than mud?" Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 304 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow (May 4, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060008210
• ISBN-13: 978-0060008215
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,610,437 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jane Kurtz was born in Portland, Oregon, but when she was two years old, her parents decided to move to Ethiopia, where she spent most of her childhood. She didn't live in the United States for more than a couple of year-long visits (in Boise and Pasadena) until she started college, feeling like an awkward outsider. Her books set in Ethiopia have helped her give glimpses into the land of her childhood.

Now Jane speaks about being an author at schools and conferences--in all but eleven of the United States, so far, and such places as Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, France, Germany, Romania, England, Indonesia, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Japan. Her travels have put her in touch with all kinds of kids who are changing the world, one kid at a time, something her idealistic parents made her also want to do. Thus she helped start Ethiopia Reads (www.ethiopiareads.org), a nonprofit that is planting the first libraries for children in Ethiopia.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars This review talks more about the lesson, October 16, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Feverbird's Claw (Hardcover)

I am a great fan of Jane Kurtz.The Feverbirds Claw was a very good book.It tought you things like,You can make friends with someone who is different,don't judge them for how they look, to be a good friend no matter what,and that you can face you fears on matter how scarey,how hard they look and seem. This is a good book that I think a lot of young readers will really like