Wild Bird
| High Middle Ages |
|---|
 Wild Bird
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| Content Warning |
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| death, descriptions of someone being burned alive, implied child sexual assault |
World History > High Middle Ages > Plagues
Get lost in a sweeping middle-grade adventure following Rype, an abandoned girl in fourteenth-century Europe, as she walks from Norway to England looking for safety from the plague.
Her name was Rype. That wasn’t really her name. It was what the strangers called her. She didn’t remember her real name. She didn’t remember anything at all.
Rype was hiding in the hollow of a tree trunk when they found her. She was hungry, small, cold, alone. She did not speak their language, or understand their mannerisms. But she knew this: To survive, she would have to go with them.
In fourteenth-century Norway, the plague has destroyed the entire village of Skeviga. To stay alive, Rype, the only one left, must embark on a sweeping adventure across Europe with the son of an English ship captain and a band of troubadours in search of a brighter future and a new home.
Expertly crafted, beautifully written, and completely unique, Diane Zahler has created a historically rich, stunning story of survival and hope in the face of tragedy.
Emily's Review
I have always loved stories that are set in the medieval period, and this book properly swept me away into that time and place. We are following Rype, who was the sole survivor of her entire village in Norway after they are devastated by the plague. She is found by Owen, who names her Rype and brings her onto his father's merchant ship. From there, she and Owen end up on a quest of sorts, to get home to England to find his mother and sister. Along the way, they meet a group of troubadours and have many adventures.
I loved Rype's character development over the course of the story. She starts out as a small terrified girl, and by the end, she has found her place in the world and made a life for herself. I think this book has a lot to say about how to overcome tragedy, and how to find light in the darkness. I also really loved that the author wove song and music into the story. All of the characters were endearing and I enjoyed reading about their relationships.
This book is a vivid picture of life in the 14th century and life in the midst of the Black Death. It is sad, and there were a lot of dark and even disturbing moments, but there was also plenty of light and hope. I was fully invested in Rype's story and the family she made for herself.
I think this book would appeal more to older readers. It is labeled as middle grade, but I think this book is best suited for ages 12+
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