Book Cover
Bibliography
Kelly, E. (1956). The Trumpeter of krakow. New York, NY: Macmillan.
Summary of the Plot
Joseph and his family are forced to flee from their native Ukraine to the Polish city of Krakow in the thirteenth century. Joseph discovers that his father has a secret passed down to him from previous generations. This secret places the family in danger. Joseph, through courage and determination, saves his father from being killed for the secret.This story tells of an ancient tradition in the city of Krakow. The tradition is that the trumpeter will sound a trumpet every evening at an appointed time. Joseph Charnetski as well as his father and mother travel to the city of Krakow after their farm was attacked by unknown assailants. While in Krakow they met an alchemist who is trying to turn ordinary substances into gold. The alchemist and his niece invite the Charnetski family to live with them in the apartment. The father finds a job as a trumpeter of Krakow. The Heynal must be played every hour on the hour. However in respect to a former trumpeter who gave his life warning the city of Krakow of invaders the Heynal is not played in its entirety. Pan Charnetski is kidnapped because his family has been given the charge of protecting the Great Tarnov Crystal. Joseph must play the Heynal in his father's absence but he plays it completely through and the alchemist niece realizes what happened. She then goes for assistance and the crystal is returned to the King it's rightful owner.
Vi's Vibes
This story is set in the 1400's and while I enjoyed the story I am not for sure that children of today would enjoy reading the story. The book that I checked out had very small print and not many illustrations. I think that a history buff would enjoy reading the story. The book had intrigue and mystery swirling around what the father could possibly be protecting. As the city of Krakow burned you wondered would the entire family be found safe. Could Joseph save his father and what method could he possibly use without endangering his own life?
Reviews
While I found in Titlewise that this book had professional reviews I could not find any of them posted on the internet. Therefore, I did a search on the internet for reviews on The Trumpeter of Krakow and found the following.
botellan's Full Review: Eric Philbrook Kelly - The Trumpeter of Krakow
This is such a boring book! It has a lot of action but nothing exciting (I know that sounds strange but that is probably because you haven't read this book!). I personally think that the plot could have been better written by another author. There is supposed to be a high level of suspense but it is fairly predictable. My little sister had to read it for school project (who would want to read it for fun???), and she asked me to assist her. I read the book along with her. She is in the seventh grade and she thought it was a little too easy. It is for sixth or seventh graders. The book centers around a magical stone called The Great Tarnov Crystal. The whole book one family tries to keep it safe while a Tarter chief is trying to steal it. It is about 250 pages and is available in hardcover or paperback. It is historical fiction. Sorry this epinions is so short but theres not to much to say about Trumpeter of Krakow.
Accessed December 10, 2009
http://www.epinions.com/review/The_Trumpeter_of_Krakow_by_Eric_Philbrook_Kelly_and_illustrated_by_Janina_Domanska/book-review-38FE-236C0AA8-3A33D7B4-prod2Utilization for Library Classes
Students study basic information about alchemy and evaluate the historical accuracy of the novel. They also analyze plot and character development, keep a reader’s journal, and illustrate key elements of the novel.
As a culminating activity the students would compares and contrasts The Trumpeter of Krakow with The Gypsy Game. The Gypsy Game is the sequel to The Egypt Game and in this story the children decide to pretend to be a Gypsy rather than Egyptian. However, Toby then disappears and the children spend the rest of the time finding Toby. The students in my class would compare what happens to Toby and what happens to Joseph.
Book Cover
Bibliography
Avi, . (2002). Crispin the cross of lead. New York, NY: Scholastic.
Summary of the Plot
In the midst of his grief over his mother’s death, the thirteen-year-old boy known only as “Asta’s son” finds himself caught up in circumstances he cannot understand. John Aycliffe, steward of the boy’s poor fourteenth-century village in the long absence of the crusading Lord Furnival, has declared the boy a “wolf’s head” (less than human) for a crime he did not commit, thereby sentencing him to a certain death. The boy finds an ally in the village priest, who informs him that his real name is Crispin and who promises to tell him who he really is. When the priest is murdered, Crispin flees for his life and meets up with Bear, to whom Crispin becomes an apprentice. By the end of the story he and Bear have become more than apprentice and master but good friends. Crispin discovers that he is the son of Lord Furnival and must rescue his dear friend Bear from the dungeon. In doing so he makes a vow that he will never tell that he is Lord Furnival's son.
Vi's Vibes
I loved this story it kept you guessing as to who the father of Asta's son could possibly be. Also how would Crispin and Bear get away from all the troubles that John Aycliffe brings their way. Students who read this book will find courage and deceit within the characters of the story. Aycliffe tries to deceive Crispin in the end by not fulfilling his vow that he would release both Crispin and Bear. Crispin must find courage to risk his life by going into the dungeon to rescue his dear friend Bear.
Reviews
Gr 6-9-As with Karen Cushman's The Midwife's Apprentice (Clarion, 1995), the power of a name is apparent in this novel set in 14th-century England. "Asta's son" is all the destitute, illiterate hero has ever been called, but after his mother dies, he learns that his given name is Crispin, and that he is in mortal danger. The local priest is murdered before he can tell him more about his background, and Aycliffe, the evil village steward for Lord Furnival, declares that the boy is a "wolf's head," less than human, and that he should be killed on sight. On the run, with nothing to sustain him but his faith in God, Crispin meets "Bear," a roving entertainer who has ties to an underground movement to improve living conditions for the common people. They make their way to Great Wexley, where Bear has clandestine meetings and Crispin hopes to escape from Aycliffe and his soldiers, who stalk him at every turn. Suspense heightens when the boy learns that the recently deceased Lord Furnival was his father and that Aycliffe is dead set on preventing him from claiming his title. To trap his prey, the villain captures Bear, and Crispin risks his life to save him. Avi has done an excellent job of integrating background and historical information, of pacing the plot so that the book is a page-turner from beginning to end, and of creating characters for whom readers will have great empathy. The result is a meticulously crafted story, full of adventure, mystery, and action.-Cheri Estes, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills
School Library Journal June 2002
When his mother dies, the thirteen-year-old boy grieves his loss. He is alone in the world, never having known his father. In fact, he doesn't even know if he has a name. He has always been called Asta's son. Events become puzzling when Asta's son learns he has been declared a "wolf's head," which means anyone could kill him, for he is not considered human. It is said that he stole money from the manor house. Asta's son wonders why the steward would make up such a story. The village priest tells him he was baptized "Crispin," gives him his mother's lead cross and tells him he should leave the village for a big city where he could become a free man within the year. Father Quinel promises to tell him what he knows about his parents, but before he can do so, he is murdered. Fearing for his life, Crispin leaves. After several days he meets a large, red-bearded man called Bear. He makes Crispin swear to become his servant, but through the course of the story their friendship develops to the point where Bear thinks of Crispin as his son. Bear is imprisoned as bait to catch Crispin. The young boy, armed with the knowledge of what is written on his mother's lead cross, attempts a brave rescue of his friend. Crispin's identity will not come as a surprise to the sophisticated reader. Avi creates a strong sense of time and place by using the first person narrative. As Crispin learns about the world of fourteenth century England beyond his village, so too does the reader. The harshness of medieval life is presented, with descriptions such as that of the hanging man, but it is done without sensationalism. Avi has described the smells so well, you would think you were there. While it is Crispin'sstory, it is the character of Bear that will entrance the reader. 2003, Hyperion,
VOYA - Rebecca Barnhouse
Utilization for Library Classes
Use this book as a focal to studies of feudal times. Avi’s descriptions of 14th century England are very accurate. Have students research facts about feudal life.
Crispin does not know who he is at the beginning of the story. Have students discuss or write about how it would feel to not know who you are.
