The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short

I was so excited when the newest installment in Gerald Morris' beginning chapter book series, The Knights' Tales, arrived! I took Sir Givret the Short home with me - and commenced reading. Remember how much I loooved the Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Great? Well, Sir Givret the Short is even better! Excellent humor (including digs at all that weird language. heh heh.) an unlikely hero, and Morris manages to make marriage problems hilarious and accessible to young readers.

Verdict: I command all thou lovers of humor and writing that doth excel to go forth and peruse this volume!

ISBN: 978-0618777150; Published October 2008 by Houghton Mifflin; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library

Reviewed by Jaglvr for Kids @ TeensReadToo.com

THE ADVENTURES OF SIR GIVRET THE SHORT is the second story in the entertaining THE KNIGHTS' TALES series. However, the reader does not have to have read THE ADVENTURES OF SIR LANCELOT THE GREAT to understand or enjoy this story. It is able to stand alone on its own content.

When we first meet Givret, he is simply Givret, not a knight. When King Arthur's knights hear of the legend of hunting the white stag and the rewards that catching it would bring, all of them, but for Givret, leave on their quest. Givret volunteers to remain in the castle to protect Queen Guinevere.

All should be quiet, but the traveling Sir Yoder arrives in the kingdom and mistakenly insults the Queen. When one of the show more King's knights, Sir Erec, hears of the insult, he sets off after Sir Yoder (to Scotland) to cleanse Queen Guinevere's name.

When the rest of the knights and the King return, Givret tells of the story. Because Givret used his intelligence to dispatch Sir Yoder, King Arthur grants knighthood upon Givret, much to the amusement and bewilderment of the remaining Knights of the Roundtable.

Upon knighthood, King Arthur gives Givret a quest. He must follow after Sir Erec to Scotland. Though small in stature and not known for his brute strength, Givret the Short (later to be called Givret the Wise or simply Givret the Marvelous - you have to read the story to learn about THAT one!), Givret proves to the rest of the knights that being brave and true means more than simply fighting a foe with brute strength.

Mr. Morris, aided with the entertaining illustrations by Mr. Renier, writes a quirky tale for young readers to enjoy. Using the King Arthur characters and setting, Mr. Morris lets readers know that thinking things through can oftentimes provide the result that is desired. Brute strength doesn't always solve problems. Sir Givret is different from the rest of the knights, but it's his difference that saves the day in the end...many times! show less

The second book in the series, this transitional chapter book focuses on a different one of King Arthur's knights. While Sir Lancelot was the greatest swordsman and best adventurer in book one, Sir Givret uses his wit to defeat the enemy and move towards 'happily ever after.' Possibly sillier than the first, Sir Givret's adventures are wildly entertaining, even for readers who have not read the first book. Boys ages 8-11 will appreciate Sir Givret's know-how and bravery.

Hysterical! I can't wait to read the next one in the series.