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Overview
In the days of King Arthur there stood a mighty oak tree within the walls of a castle. Peace reigned in the castle until the fearsome night when Lionel, longlost brother of Lord Weldon, returned to cause trouble and unhappiness.
It was then that Shan, the son of Lord Weldon, took on the duties of a knight and hid the sword in the hollow of the giant oak. The days that followed were filled with adventures that tried the courage of the young boy.
Shan was surprised by bearded robbers in the woods. He met noble knights in plumed helmets, and eventually he even made a trip to high-towered Camelot. His story is filled with the pageantry and color of England in King Arthur's time. It creates a vivid picture of the Knights of the Round Table and the wisdom of King Arthur himself.
Mr. Bulla captures the spirit of those romantic days in a straightforward, exciting manner. The result is another delightful book for his wide audience of young readers. Paul Galdone's vigorous illustrations are as evocative as the text.
After his father is reported dead and his wicked uncle takes over the castle, eleven-year-old Shan hides his father's precious sword and, after escaping with his mother, makes his way to King Arthur's court to seek help in winning back his inheritance.
Synopsis
In the days of King Arthur there stood a mighty oak tree within the walls of a castle. Peace reigned in the castle until the fearsome night when Lionel, longlost brother of Lord Weldon, returned to cause trouble and unhappiness.
It was then that Shan, the son of Lord Weldon, took on the duties of a knight and hid the sword in the hollow of the giant oak. The days that followed were filled with adventures that tried the courage of the young boy.
Shan was surprised by bearded robbers in the woods. He met noble knights in plumed helmets, and eventually he even made a trip to high-towered Camelot. His story is filled with the pageantry and color of England in King Arthur's time. It creates a vivid picture of the Knights of the Round Table and the wisdom of King Arthur himself.
Mr. Bulla captures the spirit of those romantic days in a straightforward, exciting manner. The result is another delightful book for his wide audience of young readers. Paul Galdone's vigorous illustrations are as evocative as the text.
Children's Literature
This easy chapter book is set in the period of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Shan, the ten-year-old son of an English Lord, in fact travels to Camelot and meets the great King. Shan's story begins at the family castle in Weldon, and his family life is disrupted when an evil uncle comes to visit and claims the castle as his own, just when Lord Weldon suspiciously disappears. With his mother, Lady Marian, Shan flees his home and manages to survive long enough to find his way to Camelot and get an audience with Arthur; quite a feat for a young child. With help from Sir Kay, Shan and his mother return to Weldon and expose the uncle for the traitor that he is. Although the plot is exciting, the characters are not well-rounded and their dialogue is wooden. 2000 (orig. 1956), HarperTrophy/HarperCollins, and $4.25. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Seth Berg