Who but Kate DiCamillo could bring together a nasty goat, a runaway girl, a strange monk, and an orphan boy and make the story work?
ABOUT THE BOOK
From two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo and two-time Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall comes a fantastical meditation on fate, love, and the power of words to spell the world.
We shall all, in the end, be led to where we belong. We shall all, in the end, find our way home.
In a time of war, a mysterious child appears at the monastery of the Order of the Chronicles of Sorrowing. Gentle Brother Edik finds the girl, Beatryce, curled in a stall, wracked with fever, coated in dirt and blood, and holding fast to the ear of Answelica the goat. As the monk nurses Beatryce to health, he uncovers her dangerous secret, one that imperils them all--for the king of the land seeks just such a girl, and Brother Edik, who penned the prophecy himself, knows why.
And so it is that a girl with a head full of stories--powerful tales-within-the-tale of queens and kings, mermaids and wolves--ventures into a dark wood in search of the castle of one who wishes her dead. But Beatryce knows that, should she lose her way, those who love her--a wild-eyed monk, a man who had once been king, a boy with a terrible sword, and a goat with a head as hard as stone--will never give up searching for her, and to know this is to know everything. With its timeless themes, unforgettable cast, and magical medieval setting, Kate DiCamillo's lyrical tale, paired with resonant black-and-white illustrations by Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall, is a true collaboration between masters.
REVIEW
As with all Kate DiCamillo's books, The Beatryce Prophecy radiates heart and humor. Answelica, the 'demon' goat, as the monks at the Order of the Chronicles of Sorrow call her proves to have a heart when she befriends a young girl. She watches over the girl who appeared at the monastery covered in dirt and blood. Brother Edik takes gentle care of the girl until she recovers from her fever. Beatryce awakens from her fever with no memory of her past. While Beatryce recovers from her ordeal, the king sends soldiers throughout the land looking for her at the behest of the king's counselor. A prophecy about Beatryce is the reason. With the help of her new found friends, Beatryce must come to terms with not only her memories, but the prophecy that sends her back into the danger she fled. One thing I've always admired about Kate DiCamillo is the heart and soul she instills in her stories. Her characters shine with personality, even the animal characters. Answelica's antics are bound to bring laughter from any and all readers. Another strength of this book is that Beatryce isn't the only character to face life-changing choices, all the characters do, from the wild-eyed monk abused by his father to the old man who used to be king to the orphan boy out for revenge. While the plot isn't a complicated one, the challenges faced by the characters add depth to the story. This lovely tale of love, courage, and devotion makes a great read for young readers who enjoy thoughtful stories with loveable characters.
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