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The books are written by Richard Platt, the author of Castle Diary (one of my favorites!!).
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We recently covered the Mongol conquest of China in our history studies,
so the four two-page spreads of China during A.D. 1200s were of particular interest.
This also lead us into one of my most favorite read-alouds this year, The Kite Rider by Geraldine McCaughrean.
Russ and Levi were riveted.
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The writing is exquisite. The setting is exotic. The plot is captivating. The pace and length of book perfect for reading aloud.
The story truly helped illuminate a culture and period in time with which I was wholly unfamiliar.
From the back cover:
"This is a novel about breathtaking sacrifices, about love, courage and friendship. It snatches you up from the first chapter, and, like Haoyou riding his kite, carries you up into a realm that is shocking, beautiful and compulsive. Read this novel, and be amazed." ~The Times of London
I really can't say it better than that.
ETA: I should mention that this book really is not suited for a sensitive child,
as it certainly doesn't gloss over many realities of life in China in the 1200s.
2 comments:
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I've had that Beijing book on my Amazon wish list and kept going back and forth on it. Now I have TWO new books to buy!! ;)
Love Geraldine McCaughrean!
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