Graceling

Peach’s Picks Rating


Title:
Graceling

Author:
Kristin Cashore

Illustrator:
Maps by Jeffery C. Mathison

ISBN:
978-0-15-206396-2

Publisher:
Orlando: Harcourt, Inc.

Copyright:
2008

Length:
471 pages

Plot Summary:
In a vaguely medieval time, there is a land of seven kingdoms that are ruled separately and interact as a dysfunctional family, with intrigues, romances, and kidnappings. There are those who are special in this world. They are referred to as Gracelings and have special powers called “graces.” They can be recognized by their eyes. Katsa, the female protagonist,seems to have the power to kill. She loathes her grace, but slowly through experience and self-realization she realizes her powerful grace is something than she has been led to believe. Her uncle, an evil king, is just using her grace to his advantage. Katsa is his personal assassin. Katsa and others in her kingdom form a secret society against her uncle. While carrying out a mission to rescue a kidnap victim of another kingdom, Katsa meets Po, the royal grandson of the man who was kidnapped. Po has a unique grace that he and his mother, a queen, have hidden from everyone. Katsa and Po work together to resolve his grandfather’s abduction and surrounding political intrigue.

Critical Evaluation:
Graceling, told in third person, is a thoroughly enjoyable book that will capture the interest of those who love fantasy with a splash and romance or romance blended with fantasy. The book also weaves mystery and adventure into the story. It begins in a very tension-filled, exciting manner with Katsa in a perilous situation. All characters, even secondary, are well-drawn and believable. Katsa is a strong female character who grows and develops during the story. Po, the male protagonist, is a prince of a neighboring kingdom and an ideal young man who respects Katsa and acts is a chivalrous manner. They both help one another come to grips with their unique and powerful graces. Often readers of fiction enjoy being provided with maps of the imaginary lands told of in the books. Graceling offers two maps on the front pages of the imaginary land further pulling a reader into the world of the seven kingdoms. The action can be plotted and reviewed when referring to the maps. Good verses evil and good wins. The romance is believable and not sappy or gratuitous. The trip through the seven kingdoms is worth the ride.
Reader’s Annotation:
Katsa, a teen girl, is with graced strength, agility, intelligence and the ability to kill anyone . . . anyone her evil uncle who is her guardian wants killed. Suddenly, in battle she is face-to-face with Po, a handsome and mysterious young man, who also has a grace for fighting.

Author Information:
Grew up in the country in northeastern Pennsylvania with parents and three sisters
Favorite childhood pastimes were reading and daydreaming
Attended Williams College for undergraduate work and received her M.A. at the Center for the Study of Children's Literature at Simmons College
She credits her work at Simmons College for sparking her interest in YA literature
Says she has a compulsive writing problem and cannot stop writing
Has lived in various locations including: New York City, Boston, Cambridge, Austin, Italy, and London

Genre:
Fantasy

Curriculum Ties:
Use in literature classes and recommend to science fiction/fantasy clubs

Booktalking Ideas:
If you liked Tamora Pierce’s books, you’ll like this fast-paced action, adventure, mystery, romance book too.

Who is the handsome, mysterious Po and why does his mother, the queen, hide his powerful talents from his father and brothers?

Reading Level/Interest Age:
Ages 14-17

Additional Books by Author:
Fire

Challenge Issues:
Sexual situations
Deal with challenge by having a challenge policy in place, selection policy in place (ALA policies). Meet with library administration if necessary. Provide positive review(s) from professional publications.

Why this work is included in Peach’s Picks:
The book received starred reviews in School Library Journal, Booklist, and Publisher's Weekly. Five peaches are awarded for the book’s fresh view in the fantasy genre.

Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Graceling-Kristin-Cashore/dp/0547258305/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272655469&sr=1-1

References:
Cashore, K. (2010). “A short bio.” This is my secret: The blog and website of writer Kistin Cashore. Retrieved April 21, 2010, from http://kristincashore.blogspot.com/