The Winter Hare [Paperback]

Joan Goodman (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: 4 and up

In 1140, with England divided between the supporters of King Stephen and those of the Empress Matilda, twelve-year-old Will Belet, small for his age but longing to be a knight, comes to his Uncle's castle to be a page and soon finds himself involved in dangerous intrigues and adventures.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9-Meticulously crafted, this 12th- century coming-of-age story is dense with English history. A long bout with the pox has made 12-year-old Will Belet small for his age and inspired his nickname, Rabbit. As he is released from his mother's protective embrace, he is brimming with optimism that becoming a page to his uncle, Earl Aubrey, will inevitably lead to knighthood. He is unprepared, however, for the carnage of the battlefield or the complex social and political forces shaping his nation's destiny as well as his own. Caught in the middle of a bitter civil war plus a feud between his father and uncle, Will confronts physical hardships and life-threatening danger in a world where learning whom one can trust may be the most important lesson of all. In the book's most suspenseful sequence, Will plays a key role in Empress Matilda's daring escape from Oxford Castle as it is besieged by her enemies. The novel is well plotted, paced, and vividly drawn, but fails to make an emotional connection. Supporting characters are clearly delineated but not fully developed, and Will is empathetic but not very interesting. The historical thoroughness and accuracy will weigh heavily on an audience unfamiliar with the socio-political structure of medieval Europe. Preface, epilogue, and author's note offer background information, but there is no glossary. Good for school assignments, but unlikely to fly off the shelf on its own.
Margaret Cole, Oceanside Library, NY
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-8. A preface sets the scene: England in 1140, with a tug-of-war for the crown bringing civil war to the countryside. Twelve-year-old Will Belet, small for his age but eager for knighthood, leaves to join his brother as a page in the household of the wicked Earl Aubrey. He grows in strength through coping with hard work and mortal danger and in wisdom by observing the world around him. A sympathetic young protagonist, Will has faults enough to make him human and courage enough to make him a hero of sorts. Vivid details of everyday life bring the twelfth-century setting to life. Attractively designed, the book features small ink drawings at chapter headings, adding to the medieval flavor. At first glance the figure on the jacket looks like a girl; however, this is one of the few recent historical novels set in the Middle Ages featuring a boy. A good book to recommend to those who loved Marguerite De Angeli's A Door in the Wall (1989) or Elizabeth J. Gray's Adam of the Road (1942). Carolyn Phelan --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1st Hyperion Paperback ed edition (October 20, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786812427
• ISBN-13: 978-0786812424
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,015,765 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A medevil story, January 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Winter Hare (Hardcover)

The Winter Hare is a story about a boy growing up in the Middle Ages. It's a great book for those who love knights, swords, armor, and battles. The book is about a boy growing up and is accepted for an opportunity for knighthood but he must pass tests in order to prove his worthiness. This book is filled with every aspect that a great book should have. This book is great for kids. It has an intriguing plot and includes words that both kids and adults are familiar with. I suggest it for kids who are 9-14 years old.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great novel--it has something for everyone, January 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Winter Hare (Hardcover)

This is a good historical novel. I learned a lot about Medieval times from it. I would recommend this story to anyone, not just people who like Medieval stories. It is good, exciting, suspenseful, sad, and funny. I liked the time Will received two puppies, one who he called Uther Pendragon, and was promptly piddled upon. As well, the Wallingford family provides a warm and comic air to the more serious part of the story. It is a good read.

5.0 out of 5 stars A great Historical-Fiction Book, March 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Winter Hare (Hardcover)

This is a great novel. The best Historical fiction ever. I think that if you like mid-eveil stories or history. I love them! It is adventerous and cool. This book is the Best