The Making of a Knight [Paperback]

Patrick O'Brien (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY.

--This text refers to the School & Library Binding edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

O'Brien (illus. of A Pirate's Life for Me!) travels back to the age of chivalry, tracing the gradual metamorphosis of an English boy from lowly seven-year-old page to 14-year-old squire to a knight at 21. Despite the workmanlike prose, the narrative form works well here to hold interest and provide cohesiveness to the many nuggets of information served up. Readers learn about tournaments, feasts, 15th-century manners and customs, and the training in archery, sword-fighting and horsemanship (as well as in reading, writing and music) typically required of an aspiring knight. O'Brien crafts an intriguing visual mix, alternating full-page oil paintings with smaller vignettes and captioned close-ups?of horses, weaponry, falcons and the like. The artist uses light and shadow to good advantage, creating high drama (e.g., shafts of sunlight stream through an unseen window onto the kneeling youth as he is knighted), and he invests the pages with a sense of movement, from banners and flags streaming in the wind to the dust kicked up by thundering hooves. A robust blend of pageantry, derring-do and a wee bit of romance. All ages.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4-Readers follow young Sir James to knighthood in this informative picture book. He begins his journey at age seven as a page, working his way up to squire and, after proving himself brave in battle, a knight. Children step into the world of the 1400s, complete with kings, queens, ladies, castles, and silken flags flying. As the boy learns about serving the king, chivalry, weapons, and suiting up for battle, youngsters are treated to captionlike asides that add details on life in the Middle Ages. This book has it all: battles, lavish dinners, jousting, and even romance. It is generously illustrated with detailed oil paintings. O'Brien has done his research; the story and illustrations fittingly portray England of yore. One minor protest: female characters haven't much of a role in this book other than as romantic objects. Still, youngsters clamoring for tales of knights will be pleased to find this accessible volume and may be encouraged to do further reading.
Angela J. Reynolds, West Slope Community Library, Portland, OR
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing (July 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 088106355X
• ISBN-13: 978-0881063554
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #105,227 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Literature > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Arthurian
  • #23 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Arthurian
  • #25 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Fiction > Medieval

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for young children, March 17, 2003

By 

Anne Aguilera (APO, AA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Making of a Knight (Paperback)

I bought this book because my son (James) is very interested in the Middle Ages, King Arthur, etc. Since he is 7 years old and the book begins when Sir James is 7 years old, he really enjoyed it. The details on weapons, armor, etc. added a great touch and were not only interesting, but educational. The book contains some vocabulary which required explanation, but in general he was fascinated. The illustrations are excellent and we read a few pages at a time each night so we could discuss them in detail. I hope Mr. O'Brien writes more about the adventures of Sir James.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and painless for parents, February 26, 2005

By 

Nothing if not critical (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Making of a Knight (Paperback)

My son, nearing three, adores this book and has had it read aloud every night for weeks. The language is direct and uncomplicated without being condescending or dumbed down; the book is packed with interesting facts that are made easily palatable by the storyline of James' progress toward knighthood. Pictures, while painterly, are sufficiently realistic to be informative. Highly recommended for your young knight in the making. If only there were more of this type of book available.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Knights were a hit!, December 28, 2008

By 

Grammie "Grammie" (Naples, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Making of a Knight (Paperback)

My grandson wanted figures of Knights for Christmas. His mother is a great reader and makes a point of reading to him about subjects he likes. I wanted a book that would tell about Knights and not focus upon violence. This book was perfect! The book preceded the figures and he was able to enjoy both.