Title: Raven Speak Author: Diane Lee Wilson
ISBN: 9781416986539 Pages: 247
Publisher: Margaret K McElderry Books, New York, 2010
ISBN: 9781416986539 Pages: 247
Publisher: Margaret K McElderry Books, New York, 2010
Readers Annotation:
Asa Coppermane's father is lost at sea, her mother is dying from the sickness that killed her only two siblings, her tribe is dwindling from the ravages of the never-ending winter, and the manipulative storyteller Jorgen is stealthily trying to become the new chieftain. Asa, next in line to become the Viking clan's chief, looks for her tribe's salvation in a strange old woman she's never met in her life.
Author Information:
Diane Lee Wilson is the author of Black Storm Comin'; the winner of a Spur Award for Juvenile Fiction, a Booklist Editor's Choice, a VOYA Top Shelf Fiction Pick, a Notable Social Studies Trade Book, and a Book Links Lasting Connection. Wilson's second book Firehorse, was a selection of the ALA Amelia Bloomer Project, and a Booklist Top Ten Mystery/Suspense for Youth selection.
Diane was born in Champaign, Illinois in 1957. She attended the University of Iowa where she obtained a degree in Fine Arts and English. Wilson has always loved horses, and owns an extensive collection of horse books and figurines. She currently lives in Escondido, California.
Diane Lee Wilson is the author of Black Storm Comin'; the winner of a Spur Award for Juvenile Fiction, a Booklist Editor's Choice, a VOYA Top Shelf Fiction Pick, a Notable Social Studies Trade Book, and a Book Links Lasting Connection. Wilson's second book Firehorse, was a selection of the ALA Amelia Bloomer Project, and a Booklist Top Ten Mystery/Suspense for Youth selection.
Diane was born in Champaign, Illinois in 1957. She attended the University of Iowa where she obtained a degree in Fine Arts and English. Wilson has always loved horses, and owns an extensive collection of horse books and figurines. She currently lives in Escondido, California.
http://dianeleewilson.com/home.htm
Plot Summary:
It's the year 854, and fourteen year old Asa Coppermane is living through the longest and most difficult winter her clan has ever seen. There is little hope for the Vikings, as there is a deathly sickness among them, and almost no food to eat. The sickness has already killed Asa's two brothers and is ravaging her mother. Her father, the clan's chief, sailed away in stormy weather with the most able bodied men to search for food in other lands. To make matters worse, the clan's diviner and storyteller Jorgen, seems to be manipulating her people in his quest for power. When Jorgen tries to kill the horses that Asa's father specifically requested be left alive, Asa fights back and barely escapes with her favorite horse from childhood.
Asa, too scared and proud to return home immediately, meets Wenda the seer. Cryptic remarks coupled with Wenda's one eye and strange raven-speak, worries Asa. However, this mixture of revulsion and curiosity compels Asa to follow the old woman to her home that is filled with food. Assisted by Wenda, Asa digs deep into her soul to discover a path for herself and her starving clan.
It's the year 854, and fourteen year old Asa Coppermane is living through the longest and most difficult winter her clan has ever seen. There is little hope for the Vikings, as there is a deathly sickness among them, and almost no food to eat. The sickness has already killed Asa's two brothers and is ravaging her mother. Her father, the clan's chief, sailed away in stormy weather with the most able bodied men to search for food in other lands. To make matters worse, the clan's diviner and storyteller Jorgen, seems to be manipulating her people in his quest for power. When Jorgen tries to kill the horses that Asa's father specifically requested be left alive, Asa fights back and barely escapes with her favorite horse from childhood.
Asa, too scared and proud to return home immediately, meets Wenda the seer. Cryptic remarks coupled with Wenda's one eye and strange raven-speak, worries Asa. However, this mixture of revulsion and curiosity compels Asa to follow the old woman to her home that is filled with food. Assisted by Wenda, Asa digs deep into her soul to discover a path for herself and her starving clan.
Critical Evaluation:
Beautifully written, but with dark and morbid strains, Raven Speak spins a tale of courage, leadership, and desperate times. The reader acquires a genuine feel of the grim and desperate times of the Vikings, when food and medicine were sparse. As the story is told mostly from the vantage point of Asa Coppermane, the reader is able to sympathize with and admire the strong willed heroine. At times, the narrative is told from either the point of view of Jorgen the shaman or Wenda the seer. This unique narrative presents a more comprehensive picture of the story. The author is careful to utilize the vernacular of the times, which lends more authenticity to the historical elements of the story. In fact, the reader will find that much of Asa's story has basis in Norse mythology.
Beautifully written, but with dark and morbid strains, Raven Speak spins a tale of courage, leadership, and desperate times. The reader acquires a genuine feel of the grim and desperate times of the Vikings, when food and medicine were sparse. As the story is told mostly from the vantage point of Asa Coppermane, the reader is able to sympathize with and admire the strong willed heroine. At times, the narrative is told from either the point of view of Jorgen the shaman or Wenda the seer. This unique narrative presents a more comprehensive picture of the story. The author is careful to utilize the vernacular of the times, which lends more authenticity to the historical elements of the story. In fact, the reader will find that much of Asa's story has basis in Norse mythology.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Curriculum Ties: History - Vikings, 800's
Booktalking Ideas:
1. Asa makes a huge sacrifice at the end of the book in order to save her starving clan. If you were in a leadership position, do you think you could make a huge sacrifice for others?
2. Jorgen wants to take over the clan for his own selfish reasons, but Asa's father always put the clan's well-being before his own. How do you feel about people who abuse their positions of power?
1. Asa makes a huge sacrifice at the end of the book in order to save her starving clan. If you were in a leadership position, do you think you could make a huge sacrifice for others?
2. Jorgen wants to take over the clan for his own selfish reasons, but Asa's father always put the clan's well-being before his own. How do you feel about people who abuse their positions of power?
Reading Level/Interest Age: 14+
Challenge Issue: none
Why I chose this item: This book is for the horse loving teens. I also wanted to include a book with historical aspects from a foreign culture. Lastly, the book is written by an award winning author.
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