This was a refreshing story seeing a heroine in a medieval fantasy setting. I don't read much fantasy, but it usually seems to be a male dominated field for heroes. The setting is a fantasy medieval kingdom and the theme is overcoming societal restrictions. In this story, ten-year-old Keladry of Mindalen, daughter of nobles, serves as a page but must prove herself to the males around her if she is ever to fulfill her dream of becoming a knight. This book would be excellent for the middle school LMC especially for young girls looking to read about a non-traditional heroine. This book is part of a series of books which the TL may also look at to include in the collection. ( )

It was pleasant to read this book once more. I like Keladry's sense of chivalry; one of my favorite parts of the book has always been her rounds of "bully patrol". Also, her sparrow friends were a nice touch. I don't think there was anything I disliked about the book. One thing I look foreward to in the second book is if she gets over her fear of heights. ( )

This was the first in a new quartet set in Tortall, this one a couple of years after The Immortals quartet ends. The story is about Kel (Keladry) who is the first girl to take the King up on his new law which states that girls can train as pages to become knights. The new training master, however, does not believe in this law and doesn't want her to be allowed to train, but with the help of the King and the Lioness, he agrees to train her on probation: she has one year to prove to him that she is as good as all the other pages.
Kel is a great new character who is strong and determined to prove she can keep up with the work. She's also extremely honorable and can't stand to see others being bullied or hurt, whether it be a fellow page or a beaten dog.
Great book for all girls 10 and up. ( )

Book 1 in the "Protector of the Small" quartet - my favorite quartet in the Tortall books by Tamora Pierce.

This was the first of Tamora Pierce's books I ever read, and I was instantly hooked. Keladry is a great pre-teen heroine who grows over the next four books into a great teen heroine: a great role model for girls everywhere. She's smart and fun and works hard. She's a great friend and does the honorable thing, no matter how difficult. Pierce writes about characters you can't help but love in stories you can't wait to read. I love her stuff! ( )