Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village

Filled with the stories of Medieval life from a youth's perspective, the monologues and dialogues of such characters as Otho, the miller's son, Simon, the knight's son, and Constance, the pilgrim, reveal the harsh realities of life during this time period by not only creating characters who readers can connect to, but who also teach the reader about a time period that they may not be familiar. Filled with sadness, joy, dishonesty, and pride, this unique collection of poems will intrigue any reader who picks it up.

Schlitz, L., & Byrd, R. (2007). Good masters! sweet ladies!: Voices from a medieval village.

Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.


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The feudal system, knights, beggars, and millers, and all of the characters of a Medieval village are brought to life in a poetic form, both monologues and a few dialogues, to reveal the realities of the time period. Written to help the students at her school dive deeper into the realities of the Middle Ages through performance, the stories of the youth of the time period both show the truth of the times, such as lack of food, the control of the Catholic Church, and the different levels of livelihood. Spoken with honesty, such stories as Taggot, the blacksmith’s daughter, who dreams of being the subject of a young man’s affection, also must face her own insecurities as being “Big and ugly and shy in the bargain.” Racial tension and stereotypes are addressed in the story of Jacob Ben Salomon, the moneylender’s son, and Petronella, the merchant's daughter. Jacob is Jewish, and because of that, he is shunned and has rocks thrown at him. Petronella knows this, but sees that she is also a kind person and he isn’t any different. After certain monologues, Schlitz provides a little background on certain aspects of Medieval life, such as the history of falconry and the three-field system that was used for raising crops. Historical texts can sometimes be daunting and dry, but Schlitz engages the audience through the eyes on fictional young people to reveal the harsh truths of a very tumultuous time period. To enhance the information provided, Robert Byrd’s simple, yet informational illustrations enhance the reality of the “Medieval Manor” that Schlitz uses as her vehicle for the information. All combined, the unique blended genre of poetry and history will grab the reader’s attention and carry them through a journey of the Middle Ages.


Lesson Plan

The Watsons go to Birmingham--1963 by Christoper Paul Curtis

It was always cold in Flint, Michigan and Byron Watson was always getting into trouble. Kenny, Byron’s little brother, wasn’t the most popular kid in school and often suffered the wrath of bullies, his brother being one of them. Despite all the warnings and punishments, Byron just couldn’t seem to stay out of trouble. As a last resort, his mom and dad decided to drive across the country to Birmingham, Alabama to  leave Byron with his grandmother in hopes that he could find the straight and narrow. But, with the South reeling from the strain of segregation and racism, their trip is rocked by an act of anger and evil that nearly destroys the Watson family and forces Kenny to deal with the ugliness of the world at this time.

Curtis, C. (1995). The Watsons go to Birmingham--1963. New York, NY: Delacorte Press.

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Assignment #4 - Historical Fiction Reviews

It was always cold in Flint, Michigan and Byron Watson was always getting into trouble. Kenny, Byron’s little brother, wasn’t the most popular kid in school and often suffered the wrath of bullies, his brother being one of them. Despite all the warnings and punishments, Byron just couldn’t seem to stay out of trouble. As a last resort, his mom and dad decided to drive across the country to Birmingham, Alabama to  leave Byron with his grandmother in hopes that he could find the straight and narrow. In 1963, the United States was being torn at the seams by segregation and racism. Until the Watsons arrived there, Byron, Kenny, and their younger sister Joetta, had never experienced the level of hate present in the South. Before they can even get accustomed to the heat in Birmingham, their family is rocked by an act of terror at the local church on a Sunday morning. This story will resonate with younger audiences as they see a reflection of their own family's ups and downs, as well as the anger and confusion of experiencing something that they cannot truly understand. Readers of historical fiction will appreciate the true depiction of family life during this tumultuous time period of American history, as well as the ugliness of segregation in the South.

Trailer for the movie adaptation.

Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made by Stephen Pastis

Despite being a pretty mediocre detective, Timmy, with his polar bear side kick, are bound and determined to find the principal's missing globe. With all the obvious clues, but lacking real detective abilities, Timmy continually misses the mark. 

Pastis, S. (2014). Timmy failure: Now look what you’ve done. NY: Candlewick Press.

1. Evaluative Criteria
1. Style and character are the criteria for contemporary realistic fiction that this novel meets. Written in first person and in a journal format, the reader is drawn into and through the journey’s of Timmy solving the mystery of the missing globe. Along with the diary format, picture are also included. These pictures look as if a young child has drawn them, further connecting the reader and Timmy. Timmy’s imagination drives the humorous tone of the novel. Along with the unique style, Timmy as a character is easy to connect with as a young reader. He has a false sense of self and ability, something which young children struggle to recognize, but his ability to use his imagination keeps them entangled in his crime solving web.

How to draw Timmy Failure and his friends.

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Jess just wants to be the fastest kid int he 5th grade, but Leslie prevents that dream from coming true. But, despite the heartbreak, Jess and Leslie become the best of friends, teaching each other so much about strength and friendship. Their imagination takes them to great places, but it also leads to tragedy and force Jess to figure out how to move on.

 Paterson, K., & Diamond, D. (1977). Bridge to Terabithia. New York, NY: T.Y. Crowell.

1. Evaluation Criteria
1. In this novel, theme and gender are the dominate criteria. Despite the heartbreaking loss in the book, the positive theme of friendship drives the novel and and helps the characters "have a personal resonance for the child reader in a way that is meaningful and worthwhile." Also, although Leslie, who is a central character, dies, her strong qualities and incredible courage leave a huge impression on Jess. This puts a female character in a dominate role, which is a contemporary depiction of gender roles. Along with this strong female, we also see a male character struggle with his emotions in a very outward way.


Books Similar to Bridge to Terbithia

Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary

Heavy with the emotions of his parents divorcing and starting at a new school, Leigh Botts writes letters to his favorite author, as well as keeps a diary, to work through his feelings and figure out his new path in life. Through the ups and downs, including a father who struggles with staying connected, Leigh soon learns that his problems aren't the biggest in the world (and maybe he will never know who is stealing his lunch). 

 Cleary, B., & Zelinsky, P. (1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw. New York, NY: W. Morrow. 

1. Evaluation Criteria
1. Style and characters are how this novel meets the criteria for a contemporary piece of realistic fiction. This novel transitions smoothly between first person letters written to an author and first person diary entries. Because of the plot of the book, which revolves around a child's admiration of an author and their struggle to deal with the great changes in their life, including the split of his parents, both personal letters and journal entries will make an easy connection with the audience. Leigh Botts' situation as a child in the middle of a divorce, being the new kid in school, and struggling to cope are all topics that many children can relate to and feel the struggle that he feels. He is a very dynamic character who grows from an angry young man to an understanding and caring person who just happens to be suffering from an unfortunate life event.


Dear Mr. Henshaw Teaching Plan

A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban

All Zoe ever wanted was to play the piano, which of course would lead to playing at Carnegie Hall. But instead, she gets an organ from her father, who suffers from an anxiety disorder and doesn't leave home much. Her teacher sees her talent and enters her into a recital where she shows her new talent. Gaining friends along the way, Zoe learns that even with a path is changed, the journey down the path is what makes the end so sweet. 

 Urban, L. (2009). A crooked kind of perfect. Boston, MA: Sandpiper.

1. Evaluation Criteria
1. Gender and culture, as well as characters, are two criteria of contemporary realistic fiction for this novel. Zoe Elias is the opposite of traditional female characters: she is not only the protagonist in the piece, but she is also supported by male figures who experiences a weakness that wasn’t typically accepted in the past. Her father is the less dominant parent figure due to a social anxiety disorder that he suffers from. Along with  him, Wheeler, who seems like the tough guy at school, is able to show is more vulnerable side due to his parent’s divorce and lack of a father at home. These same characteristics produce unique characters that young readers can identify with, as well as see the “emotional growth” of all the characters involved.


Book Trailer

Rules by Cynthia Lord

Catherine just wants to be normal and for her brother, David, to follow rules like everyone else does. She feels weighed down by the fact that her brother is autistic, constantly fearing that he will embarrass her. But, through and unlikely friendship that is made at her brother's therapy sessions, Catherine learns that everyone is different and that learning to accept people's differences can be a pretty awesome thing. 

 Lord, C. (2006). Rules. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

1. Evaluation Criteria

This novel meets the criteria for contemporary realistic fiction through theme and setting. The “search for an independent identity” is exemplified in the complex relationship between Catherine and her brother, David. This search connects with young readers as many are experiencing the same quest. She wants so much to be separate from David’s complications, but realizes that he is PART of her identity. In regards to setting, Rules is set in an average town on a quiet, suburban street where kids meet for the bus together, swim in the lake during the summer, and become fearful of school dances. Young readers can both identify the characters as realistic in their setting, as well as transcend the setting to see themselves in the same situations.

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

 Melody just wants to say all of the thing she has swimming around in her head like all the other people around her. After years of being so very different and alone, she is finally released from her own mind via new technology. But, just when she is finally being accepted for who she is, the harsh realities of the world knock her back down. 

Draper, S. (2010). Out of my mind. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 

1. Evaluation Criteria
1. This novel meets the criteria for contemporary realistic fiction through the characters and plot. Melody is a non-traditional character who is not only female, but also has a disability. She is a female heroine and the underdog, both qualities that make the reader cheer her on through all of her struggles. As the reader travels through her trials and tribulations, the reader expects her rise to stardom and her new voice to take her to the top: the big quiz bowl. But, the realities of a society that doesn’t embrace different rears its ugly head, throwing the reader down a strange, new path. The plot also embraced the “hopeful, if not always happy” resolution of contemporary realistic fiction as Melody doesn’t get the result the reader hoped, but she does learn to live with what she has.


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