Books with author Lorna MacDonald Czarnota

Just who was Robin Hood? What did William Tell do that was so special? Why is Joan of Arc so famous? Author Lorna Czarnota presents medieval tales that answer these questions—and many more—in a fun, simplified way that allows kids to add their own details and use their own imaginations in their retellings. Besides the tales, Czarnota offers solid historical background to each story, “so that the teller will have a skeleton on which to build the tale to his or her liking without losing the historical significance of the story.” She also imparts child-friendly tips for telling each tale. Of special interest is an informative section on characteristics of medieval tellers and the ways children might adopt a medieval persona. Pull Excalibur from the lake, untie the Gordian Knot, or fight with Roland and the Frankish army. Educators, parents, and children alike will enjoy this collection of medieval tales, designed specifically for young readers and budding storytellers. READING LEVELS: Lexile Level: 750L; Guided Reading: V

Just who was Robin Hood? What did William Tell do that was so special? Why is Joan of Arc so famous? Author Lorna Czarnota presents medieval tales that answer these questions and many more in a highly entertaining format. Czarnota offers solid historical background for each story so that young readers have a framework to enhance the significance of each story. Young readers will be able to imagine themselves pulling Excalibur from the lake, untying the Gordian Knot, or fighting with Roland and the Frankish army.

Sixteen-year-old William Saxton, called Blue, lies awake every night listening to the buzzsaw of his sickly father's lungs and worrying about his mother. Blue writes to Eleanor Roosevelt in Washington, D.C., asking for help, but she doesn't answer. With no more than food from the family icebox and a fishing pole, Blue runs away intending to hop the rails to D.C. where he plans to confront the First Lady. Blue is not prepared for the extent of the journey ahead, where he meets people who will help him, and others who have only their own interests in mind. Faced with hunger and the elements, but equipped with self-determination, Blue succeeds in reaching his destination. But the journey has changed his purpose, and Blue will never be the same.