Dragon: Hound of Honor($10.86Value)

Description

In the noble and dangerous times of medieval France, the young knight Aubrey de Montdidier, nephew of the Count of Montargis, has been strangely murdered. His friend the brave Sieur DeNarsac, captain of the count's men-at-arms, and Thierry, a young page, must now solve the tragic mystery. Yet it is a magnificent white wolfhound by the name of Dragon -- Montdidier's faithful companion -- who brings an unexpected, shocking conclusion to the puzzle of his master's untimely death. New York Times best-selling authors Julie Andrews Edwards and Emma Walton Hamilton weave a tapestry of intrigue, power, loyalty, and friendship in this novel based on the captivating French legend of Montargis. Grade 5-8–Thierry is a ward of the Count of Montargis in medieval France. He wants to become a squire to a knight, and is fascinated when a tournament is held on his guardian's estate. But concern arises when Aubrey de Montdidier, the knight betrothed to the Count's daughter, fails to turn up for the festivities. Three days later his horse and faithful hound, Dragon, return to the castle, spooked and injured. Dragon then leads Thierry and Guy DeNarsac to Aubrey's murdered body. As the entire castle mourns his death, Thierry and DeNarsac realize that the clue to the murderer lies with Dragon, the only living witness. Edwards and Hamilton render a beautifully written retelling of "The Legend of the Dog of Montargis." The descriptions of castle life, the tournament, and Paris in the 14th century are well researched and presented in a manner that is both lyrical and thrilling, and the heroics of the knights and of Dragon are exciting. While the complex names and the insertion of French phrases might be confusing at first, a glossary and a family tree aid in understanding. A well-done historical novel with an exciting mystery that will hold the attention of middle-grade readers. –Anna M. Nelson, Seabrook Library, NH Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Gr. 4-8. From the entertainer and her daughter comes this novel set in medieval France during the reign of Charles V. When Aubrey de Montdidier, a young knight, fails to arrive for a joust, it is his dog, the faithful and intelligent Dragon, that leads friends to his grave. Eventually, the wolfhound also helps solve the mystery of his murder. The language is lush though occasionally melodramatic and cliched; lavish details of food, feast, and festival give a good sense of the times. Deborah Ellis' A Company of Fools (2002) is^B a more engaging title set in the same period. GraceAnne DeCandido Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved "A well done historical novel with an exciting mystery that will hold the attention of middle grade readers." -- School Library Journal Julie Andrews Edwards is one of the most recognized figures in the world of entertainment. She is perhaps best known for her performances in Mary Poppins , The Sound of Music , and The Princess Diaries . Ms. Edwards is the author of many favorite children's books, including Mandy and The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles .