The Ravenmaster's Secret: Escape from the Tower of London

Cute story. It's a little too interested in its message, at a slight expense to story, but pretty good. The descriptions of the Tower and London in the 1600s are nicely done, and not too sanitized. Mostly about a boy learning what's really important - friendship and loyalty and fairness over following the rules. Tuck's finally learning his trick is...extremely convenient, as is the chimney sweep's end. But not bad. Worth reading once, though I see no reason to reread.

A great short work of historical fiction for children, this book forces us to put ourselves in the shoes of the main characters. A young Scottish girl is captured alongside her Jacobite father and taken to be prisioner in London Tower. She is befriended by the son of a prision master Forrest Harper and his chimney sweep best friend. Forest is forced to choose between his country and what he knows is right. Full of action, suspense, and few tearful moments, I loved every page and I am sure you will too

Workmanlike, engaging story of the son of the ravenmaster of the Tower of London who becomes involved in caring for the daughter of a Scottish Rebel who is imprisoned there. He is forced to decide where his loyalties truly lie. A secondary story involves a ratcatcher's boy who becomes a chimney sweep. A good sense of period.

I think this is a good book, but I'm just the wrong age. Checked out because I was interested in Tower of London tales.

Predictable and everything wraps up far too neatly for my taste, but kids who haven't read too much might enjoy it.

102/220 pages read.

(4.9)