Merlin (Young Merlin Trilogy) [Paperback]

Jane Yolen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1998 | Age Level: 9 and up | Series: Young Merlin Trilogy (Book 3)

Deep in the forest, young Merlin falls into the hands of the wodewose -- wild folk who are actually a family of the unwanted. Although he is at home among the clan, the boy must follow his visions and confront the magic that is his destiny.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8. Merlin echoes the tone and rhythms of Passager (1996) and Hobby (1996, both Harcourt), brief novels with medieval yet timeless settings, written in stark but poetic language that will challenge some readers. It begins when Merlin is 12 and alone in the forest. Escaping from a pack of wild dogs, he is rescued by the wodewose, the wild folk of the woods, and taken to their tent village. But the wild folk are reluctant to take in the boy until they learn that he is a dreamer. Then he is not only claimed, but also caged, and fed a steady diet of herbs and potions to induce sleep. One of his dreams predicts the bloody destruction of the wodewose, and as they pack their tents and belongings, Merlin escapes and returns to the woods. He is followed by a child known as Cub, who has tried to befriend and protect him. When the wild folk are destroyed by advancing soldiers, Merlin and Cub realize they are alone in the world. Feeling that the child needs a true name as they journey together into the future, Merlin names him Artus?bear man?after another of his dreams. Yolen's three books fit together as seamlessly as the chapters of a single volume. Without the other installments, Merlin is merely an episode in the life of the young and future wizard (albeit an important one). Read together, this trilogy presents a logical tale taking Merlin from early abandonment down the road to his much more well-known future.?Susan L. Rogers, Chestnut Hill Academy, PA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 5^-8. In this conclusion to the well-written Young Merlin trilogy, Hawk-Hobby, whose true name is Merlin, takes refuge in the woods where his saga began. After he is saved from a pack of wild dogs by a wild man, the 12-year-old boy finds himself living in a forested village of wild folk. Imprisoned by the local women after they discover his prophetic powers, Hawk-Hobby escapes with the help of a small child named Cub, who happens to be the once and future King Arthur. Given the sophisticated style, complex theme of the search for identity, and subtle allusions to Arthurian and other medieval legends, the series as a whole seems best suited to middle-school readers. However, one wonders if readers of this age will pick up these slender, juvenile-looking books. Although this stands on its own better than the other books in the trilogy, one must ask why the texts weren't published as one longer book marketed for an audience older than children "ages 7^-10" ? Julie Corsaro --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 91 pages
• Publisher: Apple (Scholastic) (September 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590371193
• ISBN-13: 978-0590371193
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 4.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,709,579 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born and raised in New York City, Jane Yolen now lives in Hatfield, Massachusetts. She attended Smith College and received her master's degree in education from the University of Massachusetts. The distinguished author of more than 170 books, Jane Yolen is a person of many talents. When she is not writing, Yolen composes songs, is a professional storyteller on the stage, and is the busy wife of a university professor, the mother of three grown children, and a grandmother. Active in several organizations, Yolen has been on the Board of Directors of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, was president of the Science Fiction Writers of America from 1986 to 1988, is on the editorial board of several magazines, and was a founding member of the Western New England Storytellers Guild, the Western Massachusetts Illustrators Guild, and the Bay State Writers Guild. For twenty years, she ran a monthly writer's workshop for new children's book authors. In 1980, when Yolen was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree by Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee, Massachusetts, the citation recognized that "throughout her writing career she has remained true to her primary source of inspiration--folk culture." Folklore is the "perfect second skin," writes Yolen. "From under its hide, we can see all the shimmering, shadowy uncertainties of the world." Folklore, she believes, is the universal human language, a language that children instinctively feel in their hearts. All of Yolen's stories and poems are somehow rooted in her sense of family and self. The Emperor and the Kite, which was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1983 for its intricate papercut illustrations by Ed Young, was based on Yolen's relationship with her late father, who was an international kite-flying champion. Owl Moon, winner of the 1988 Caldecott Medal for John Schoenherr's exquisite watercolors, was inspired by her husband's interest in birding. Yolen's graceful rhythms and outrageous rhymes have been gathered in numerous collections. She has earned many awards over the years: the Regina Medal, the Kerlan Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Society of Children's Book Writers Award, the Mythopoetic Society's Aslan Award, the Christopher Medal, the Boy's Club Jr. Book Award, the Garden State Children's Book Award, the Daedalus Award, a number of Parents' Choice Magazine Awards, and many more. Her books and stories have been translated into Japanese, French, Spanish, Chinese, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Afrikaans, !Xhosa, Portuguese, and Braille. With a versatility that has led her to be called "America's Hans Christian Andersen," Yolen, the child of two writers, is a gifted and natural storyteller. Perhaps the best explanation for her outstanding accomplishments comes from Jane Yolen herself: "I don't care whether the story is real or fantastical. I tell the story that needs to be told."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Merlin Is Coming, January 8, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Merlin (Young Merlin Trilogy) (Paperback)

Merlin
By:Jane Yolen

This book is the third book in the Merlin Trilogy, there are two other book. This novel covers Melin's childhood. In the time of the 500's it is set in a dark forest in a meadow. Hawk Hobby as a child received a bird as a guide named Dolly. While trapped in the meadow he seemed to had many dreams throughout the long nights, that is how he got his name Dreamer. Rather than having Sir Ector as a guardian in the original story, he had a foster father that took care of him through his childhood in the book. It seems as if nothing may or could tear apart the friendship of Dolly and Merlin.
In my opinion this book would be recommended for middle school and under. To me it wasn't that great of a book, but it was short and sweet. If you are looking for a book to learn about background information on Arthurian History this isn't a good book for that reason.

5.0 out of 5 stars young merlin, January 8, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Merlin (Young Merlin Trilogy) (Paperback)

This book by Jane Yolen is the third book of the young Merlin Trilogy. This book tells the tale of Merlin's childhood. Merlin is a young boy determined to never grow up, but on his journey he finds a boy who will grow up to be the great King Arthur. The tale's setting is around 500 A.D. and it is normally in a forest, meadow, or a camp. Instead of the common story of Arthur growing up in a cave with Merlin or growing up in Sir Ector's home this story says that Arthur was the child of a wodewose or wild man and that he left home with the young Merlin.
I would recommend this book to young kids ages thirteen and under. This story would not be interesting to adults because it is extremely easy to read and is meant for children. Another reason I recommend this book to kids is that it is written in a way that kids can understand. I think this was an excellent book

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, April 7, 2001

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Merlin (Young Merlin Trilogy) (Paperback)

A fitting conclusion to the "Merlin" trilogy, beautifully written but less like a nature poem than it's predecessor. Still laden with hints of the future, "Merlin" is a wonderful brief read.

Merlin escapes from angry dogs, pulled to safety by one of the wodewose, wild men and women who have their dwellings out in the forests. Despite the name, they are relatively civilized, but recognize the amazing talents that Merlin possesses. He sometimes dreams (in a weird sort of way) of the future, and in one astounding scene he uses his powers to heal. These events lead both to a shattering conclusion -- and a fateful meeting with a tiny boy named Cub.

Merlin is more mature in this book, having learned about greed and deception and wanting neither of them. There are hints at the end of his future mentoring of Arthur and additionally a twist in his traditional role.

The writing style is as evocative as ever, poetic and almost dreamy, bringing every described image to life. If I can someday write half as well as Ms. Yolen, I will be very happy.