Lucian is on the run from a pair of murderous soothsayers. Joy-in-the-Dance knows magic and marvels, and is on a quest. Fronto is a poet-turned-donkey who wants to break the spell that turned him into an animal. The three of them join forces and set out through Arkadia—on an amazing trip that will change their lives.
“Master storyteller Alexander keeps the action brisk, packs the text with a riveting collection of weird characters, fantastic settings, plot twists, derring-do, heroes, villains, magic, prophecy, humor, shipwrecks, fires—what more could readers ask for?”—Kirkus Reviews
"A good, involving story. Readers already acquainted with Greek literature and legend will enjoy picking out familiar threads."--Publishers Weekly
"An expertly developed cast of characters rounds out this witty epic that's filled with romance and adventure. . . . On one level, this is a rousing adventure complete with cliffhangers and do-or-die stituations. On another, readers familiar with Greek mythology will find clever hints at the myths' purpose and genesis. . . . The plot has many twists and turns, but is not hard to follow, and Alexander's style is eminently readable."--School Library Journal
"Part Greek myth, part Canterbury Tales, part Wizard of Oz, Alexander's latest is also a story with a feminist sheen. Done in epic style, the book almost brims over with tales, twists, and trouble. . . . Alexander is as good as anyone when it comes to creating strong women characters, and one of the most interesting things about this book is his focus on the goddess culture and its role in both history and myth. A rousing tale ."--Kirkus Reviews
Lucian is about to be put to death, but he escapes and meets a mysterious spirited girl and a poet who has been enchanted and turned into a donkey. His adventures with kings, commoners and wise women makes for an engrossing, changing story of magic and faraway lands. -- Midwest Book Review
Born on January 30, 1924, in Philadelphia, storyteller Lloyd Alexander spent his childhood filling his imagination with fantasies about other lands and eras. For ten years of his writing career, Alexander wrote for adults, then changed gears and wrote fiction for young people. Alexander has received a Newbery Medal, a Newbery Honor Award, a National Book Award, and several IRA-CBC Children’s Choice Awards. He is also the author of many ALA Notable Children’s Books and School Library Journal Best Books of the Year.
View titles by Lloyd Alexander
Lucian is on the run from a pair of murderous soothsayers. Joy-in-the-Dance knows magic and marvels, and is on a quest. Fronto is a poet-turned-donkey who wants to break the spell that turned him into an animal. The three of them join forces and set out through Arkadia—on an amazing trip that will change their lives.
“Master storyteller Alexander keeps the action brisk, packs the text with a riveting collection of weird characters, fantastic settings, plot twists, derring-do, heroes, villains, magic, prophecy, humor, shipwrecks, fires—what more could readers ask for?”—Kirkus Reviews
Praise
"A good, involving story. Readers already acquainted with Greek literature and legend will enjoy picking out familiar threads."--Publishers Weekly
"An expertly developed cast of characters rounds out this witty epic that's filled with romance and adventure. . . . On one level, this is a rousing adventure complete with cliffhangers and do-or-die stituations. On another, readers familiar with Greek mythology will find clever hints at the myths' purpose and genesis. . . . The plot has many twists and turns, but is not hard to follow, and Alexander's style is eminently readable."--School Library Journal
"Part Greek myth, part Canterbury Tales, part Wizard of Oz, Alexander's latest is also a story with a feminist sheen. Done in epic style, the book almost brims over with tales, twists, and trouble. . . . Alexander is as good as anyone when it comes to creating strong women characters, and one of the most interesting things about this book is his focus on the goddess culture and its role in both history and myth. A rousing tale ."--Kirkus Reviews
Lucian is about to be put to death, but he escapes and meets a mysterious spirited girl and a poet who has been enchanted and turned into a donkey. His adventures with kings, commoners and wise women makes for an engrossing, changing story of magic and faraway lands. -- Midwest Book Review
Author
Born on January 30, 1924, in Philadelphia, storyteller Lloyd Alexander spent his childhood filling his imagination with fantasies about other lands and eras. For ten years of his writing career, Alexander wrote for adults, then changed gears and wrote fiction for young people. Alexander has received a Newbery Medal, a Newbery Honor Award, a National Book Award, and several IRA-CBC Children’s Choice Awards. He is also the author of many ALA Notable Children’s Books and School Library Journal Best Books of the Year.
View titles by Lloyd Alexander
