5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Subtle, thought-provoking, and yes, educational, August 30, 2005
I read this book on my own in elementary school, as a straight fantasy, and barely realized the main character was black because I identified with him so much and so closely.
I read it again in high school, and was struck by the use of a black hero to break down stereotypes, and also by the fact that Walter Dean Myers seemed to use some Spanish words in his "fantasy" landscape.
In COLLEGE I read this book after taking a course on the epics of medieval Spain and hit myself on the forehead. NOTHING in the setting is fantastic (although some of the story is). Alkebu-lan, the silent gold traders, and the Spaniards across the water, are ALL historical. What Myers has done is a brilliant reversal of the story of El Cid and the "reconquista" stories of Spain. More than that, "Tarik" is a form of "Tariq." The place where he landed is known to this day as "Tarik's Rock" - "Jeb-el-Tariq" - better known as Gibraltar.
Hats off to Walter Dean Myers for creating an amazing "fantasy" world, which is also absolutely grounded in real geography and history. Never mind that Stria is one of the most haunting characters I have met, and that Nongo and Docao and Capa with his "fat wife" move me to tears. A brilliant, brilliant, underrated book. Why isn't it easier to find?
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good book to get young readers interested..., February 5, 2001
This book intrigued me when I was in a used bookstore and read the cover. It stated, "Tarik is as valiant as King Arthur and as brave as Luke Skywalker". Well, that made me laugh, and the cover was typical of YA fantasy with its noble knight riding a warhorse. So, just for chucks (read Stephen King's IT, to understand that reference) I bought it. Well, the book surprised me because the hero was a young black man. I was not expecting this in the least. I think that the plot is simple enough for anyone above the age of eleven to comprehend, and it is exciting enough to keep anyone interested. I suggest this book to anyone who is wanting to get youths to read. Also, since the character is a Black, it exposes children to new views. I am sure that most kids think of heroes in books as white, but this book breaks down that barrier.
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4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classroom reading, December 10, 2000
I have read it in the classroom with my other 7th grade students. This book was a simple outline with great detail, but I have not learned anything from this book, nor did I think it was extremely suspensful. To any reader, I suggest you take a peek. To a younger reader, pulling out a cyclop's eye, getting your father killed, might be a tad bit too... "creepy" maybe?
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