The Ravenmaster's Secret [With Headphones] [Preloaded Digital Audio Player]

Elvira Woodruff (Author), Simon Vance (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2007 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

The eleven-year-old son of the Ravenmaster at the Tower of London befriends a Jacobite rebel being held prisoner there.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-Eleven-year-old Forrest is the son of the Ravenmaster in the Tower of London. Historically, this position, which fell to one of the Tower guards, was to care for the ravens that live within the walls of the fortress as a token of luck to keep it from falling to its enemies. Forrest has grown up in the Tower and has his own pet raven, Tuck. He feels confined and sheltered from the outside world. Bullies make fun of him. When dangerous Scottish rebels are captured and imprisoned, he hopes to show his bravery. His responsibility, however, turns out to be to take food to the young daughter of one of the rebels. As he learns more about Maddy, he comes to admire and respect her, and realizes that if he does not help her escape, she will be executed. To do so, though, he will have to go against all he has been taught. The story has its share of suspense, excitement, and interesting characters. Set in 1735, it does not flinch from describing the brutality of the time, including public hangings, which Forrest's mother loves to attend. While some of the plot elements may seem unrealistic and the ending too pat, the story is certainly satisfying. Its message of judging people on their own merits and not on the basis of stereotypes comes across strongly. An author's note, a history of the Tower of London, and a glossary of unfamiliar English and Scottish words are appended.
Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC
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. 4-7. An absorbing historical adventure with a unique and colorful setting. Eleven-year-old Forrest lives at the Tower of London, where his father is Ravenmaster, the yeoman warder whose job is to guard prisoners and care for the famous ravens that live within the walls. Though often lonely, Forrest makes three friends: a raven, a young rat catcher, and, more dangerously, a Scottish girl imprisoned in the Bloody Tower. Soon the children become involved in an intrigue that is both dangerous and treasonous. Woodruff offers vivid sensory images of eighteenth-century London in a story that brings together children from three classes of society. The novel can be read for its exciting plot and sympathetic characters, but readers will also sense its underlying theme of courage, as Forrest seeks to prove to himself--and to others--that he is brave. In an unusual but welcome move, Woodruff appends a glossary, bibliography, and five pages of notes on "The Tower through Time." Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Preloaded Digital Audio Player
• Publisher: Playaway; Unabridged edition (March 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1598959395
• ISBN-13: 978-1598959390
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Elvira Woodruff is the author of over twenty picture books and novels for young readers including George Washington's Socks. Most recent books include Fearless and Small Beauties: The Journey of Darcy Heart O'Hara.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Woodruff Winner, November 11, 2003

By 

Thankful (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ravenmaster's Secret: Escape from the Tower of London (Hardcover)

I'm a huge fan of Elvira Woodruff's. I first started reading her books when my kids did, now that they're grown I keep reading them. In fact, I buy them and save them for my (fingers crossed) grandchildren. This one is my favorite along with the Christmas Doll. She is such an amazing writer, right up there with E.B. White and CHARLES DICKENS!
But now for the Ravenmaster. I don't know how she does it, but from page 1 I am right there in the tower of London with Forrest and Rat and the secret prisoner. I care from the very beginning what happens to each of them, and I also care for all the other characters in the book, 'cept one, but I'll let you read it so you can discover the Fagan.... Anyway, I highly recommend this book for any age child, even one in her fifties like me! I will be very suprised if this book does not become a classic. It should--and it should end up with a few awards, too. In my humbe (o.k.--I'm a librarian, too) opinion.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I can't stop thinking about Rat, Forrest and Tuck, October 19, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Ravenmaster's Secret: Escape from the Tower of London (Hardcover)

I can't stop thinking about the characters in this book! And they aren't just people, theres ravens too! Also a castle with drawbridges and a moat that smells really bad. But the best thing about this book is the way the author makes you feel as if you're right there back in time! I really loved Forrest and Maddy, My favorite was Rat and I was worried about all of them when they tried to escape. I loved how you were on the edge of your seat, wondering what was going to happen next. I've never been to England, but I feel as if I've been to the Tower of London after reading this book.It was a scary, exciting, and best of all fun. It's now my all time favorite book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My 10 year old is entranced, December 8, 2005

By 

NYer family (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ravenmaster's Secret: Escape from the Tower of London (Hardcover)

My 5th grader cannot put this book down. She tells everyone she meets about it--and it's not an easy subject to describe. Great for this difficult age group of readers: 10-12.