Available:*
Format | Library | Call Number | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Book | Searching... East Regional Library | Ell | Searching... Unknown |
Book | Searching... North Regional Library | Ell | Searching... Unknown |
Book | Searching... South Regional Library | Ell | Searching... Unknown |
Book | Searching... West Regional Library | Ell | Searching... Unknown |
Bound With These Titles
On Order
Summary
Summary
In a mythic Scotland, two unlikely heroes must make a dangerous journey to save their people.
Agatha is a Hawk, brave and fierce, who protects her people by patrolling the high walls of their island home. She is proud of her job, though some in her clan whisper that it is meant to keep her out of the way because of the condition she was born with.Jaime, thoughtful and anxious, is an Angler, but he hates the sea. Worse, he's been chosen for a duty that the clan hasn't required for generations: to marry. The elders won't say why they have promised him to a girl in a neighboring clan, but there are rumors of approaching danger.When disaster strikes and the clan is kidnapped, it is up to Agatha and Jaime to travel across the haunted mainland of Scotia to Norveg, with help along the way from a clan of nomadic Highland bull riders and the many animals who are drawn to Agatha's extraordinary gift of communication. Thrilling and dark yet rich with humor and compassion, this is the first book in the Shadow Skye trilogy, written by a wonderful new voice in fantasy and introducing a welcome new kind of hero.
Author Notes
Joseph Elliott is a writer, teacher, and actor known for his work in children's television. The Good Hawk is his first book. He lives in London.
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 6--8--In mythical Scotland, years after a plague has wiped out the people on the mainland, the Isle of Skye is falling into turbulence. When another tribe kidnaps their clan, Jaime and Agatha are determined to rescue them--even if that means taking a fearsome enemy hostage, trekking the haunting mainland, and being forced to question their own long-held beliefs about the world and their places in it. Thoughtful Jaime shies away from conflict and has panic attacks, and Agatha has Down syndrome, although that specific name is never used in the book. The first-person narration switches between the two characters, a stylistic move that Elliott uses to great effect. Agatha's feelings and motivations in particular are clear and complex while showing the unique way she views the world. The plot is a singular, driving line; the enemies are nasty, the monsters chilling, and the sweeping Scottish backdrop provides a dramatic, cinematic setting. The ending sets up the rest of the series, which is sure to be just as exciting. VERDICT Readers will be swept up in this story of unique heroes, new voices, and Scottish mythos. This is a natural next step for fans of Rick Riordan and mythology.--Kristin Brynsvold, Tuckahoe Elementary School, Arlington, VA
Publisher's Weekly Review
In Elliott's debut, a series opener, alternating narrators Jaime, 14, and Agatha, 15, travel by land and sea to rescue their clan. Agatha, who has a condition similar to Down syndrome, is a proud Hawk, who watches from the walls of the clan's Isle of Skye compound; anxious Jaime is an Angler, meant to gather food from the sea. After being forced to marry as part of an alliance, Jaime and his bride spend their wedding night on a boat--as does Agatha, who has stowed away with the idea of preventing the marriage. This renders the three safe from a raid by marauders who kill or carry off the rest of the clan to Norveg. When the trio rescues a Norvegian prince, they determine to trade him for their surviving clanspeople. As they cross Scotia, a land rumored to be home only to "terror beasts and shadow things," Agatha demonstrates an ability to communicate telepathically with animals, while Jaime takes a leadership role despite his youth and uncertainty. Elliott, a former special needs teaching assistant, gives each vulnerable, determined teen a distinct voice and adds another layer to this character-driven fantasy via Scottish Gaelic-- and Old Norse--inspired terminology. Ages 10--14. (Jan.)
Kirkus Review
Deft characterization and an original protagonist elevate a fantasy set in quasi-medieval Scotland.Fifteen-year-old Agatha, who has a Down syndrome-like disability, is proud to be a Hawk, charged with watching the seas of Skye for danger, despite some in her clan calling her "retarch," stupid, and useless. Jaime has always been friendly toward her, even while dismissing himself as weak and worthless. When their people are enslaved by brutal raiders from Norveg, Agatha and Jaime must summon all their individual strengths. This page-turning adventure is rich in atmosphere while dripping with grisly violence; untranslated dialogue inspired by Scottish Gaelic and Old Norse adds extra flavor. Jaime and Agatha alternate narration, each distinctive voice unreliable in its own way: Jamie's cautious, anxiety-riddled account cannot conceal his courage and compassion; Agatha's simple words convey passion, loyalty, and cleverness. Other characters display less depththe Viking-ish marauders especially are shallow villains. While the disability superpower trope is never overtly invoked, the only explicit magic is Agatha's gift of communication with animals and a severely traumatized woman's power to command spirits, which may trouble some. Nevertheless, most readers will race to the triumphant conclusion and shiver at dark hints of possible sequels. The few physical descriptions seem to point to an all-white cast; there is one same-sex relationship.A fresh and exciting debut. (note about languages) (Fantasy. 12-16) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Agatha has an important job as a Hawk sentry, but a dangerous mistake lands her in trouble with the Elders, who strip her of her duties. Jaime is an Angler, dreading the upcoming ceremony where his marriage has been arranged. Everything changes when their clan is taken by raiders, forcing Agatha and Jaime to embark on a dangerous trek where they'll meet new allies, face dangerous shadows, discover a mad queen, and confront deadly enemies. Elliott presents a rendition of mythic Scotland that breathes new life into fantasy. Humor and moments of self-discovery break up the darker elements, as the two heroes encounter violence, warring clans, child marriage, and different cultures. Though not labeled in the text, Agatha has Down syndrome as well as a unique ability to communicate with animals while Jaime struggles with fear and anxiety. Elliott's debut, the first in a new series, celebrates differences and takes two unlikely heroes on a journey of overcoming fear, discovering courage, exploring new beliefs, and understanding the strength it takes to be heroes.--Elizabeth Konkel Copyright 2019 Booklist
Excerpts
Excerpts
Agatha The wind is on my nose and my eyes sting. I brought two cloaks today because I am clever. I pull them together with my hands. The tops of my fingers are numb but I don't mind because it is my job and it is an important one. I look at the sea. The waves are chopping up and down. Sometimes I follow a wave from as far away as I can see, all the way to where I am. I look at it and keep my eyes on it and try not to let it out of my eyes when it comes close and more close until it crashes. It is a hard thing to do and I am good at it. When I was only young I wanted to go on the sea so much. I asked the Anglers and the Seals lots of times to take me on their boats but they wouldn't. They shoved me away and called me a "good-for-nothing nuisance," which is rude. I made the plan to do it myself and climbed up the wall when no one was looking and down the other side. It was a hard thing to do but easy for me because I'm good at climbing. The waves went on my legs and my face and I laughed because I liked it and it tasted like soup. Then a bigger wave came and I couldn't hold on anymore and I fell. I could have drowned but one of the Hawks saw me and my arms splashing. "You stupid, stupid girl." he said when he pulled me out. "You stupid, stupid girl." I'm more clever now and I wouldn't do it again. After it happened I didn't want to go on the boats anymore. I stayed inside the enclave and didn't look at the sea until they gave me my dreuchd . I was very happy that day because they made me a Hawk, which is my duty and an important one. One day I will save someone from drowning too like when the Hawk saved me. "You look cold." It is Lenox who says that, who is another Hawk. "Go into the turret and warm up. I lit a fire," he says as well. His eyebrows go scrunchy when he talks. They are big ones and black. "I don't-- want to," I say and shake my head. I don't like going in the turret because when I'm inside I'm not looking at the sea which is what I should be doing. "Go on, little girl, it's for your own good," he says, and he pushes my back. I hate it when he calls me "little girl" because I am not a little girl. I am fifteen so he shouldn't call me that. I do a big frown so he sees it. When I am in the turret, I kick the fire because I don't want to be there and bits of it fly up to the walls. It's a small room in a circle. I should not have kicked the fire. Now it might go out, which would be bad. I scrape the bits with my shoe and add some more sticks to make it big again. Even though I didn't want to come, it is nice to be hot and I move my fingers which is nice as well. I undo my first cloak and the other one underneath so I can reach the pocket on my top where Milkwort is. He is warm which is good because I was worried he would be cold. I put him next to the fire because he likes it there. In my trousers is some bread that I saved. I give some to him and keep some for later. He thanks me and eats it while looking at the fire. "Don't get too close," I warn him. Milkwort is my friend and a vole and a secret. No one knows about him. Except Maistreas Eilionoir. I don't know how she found out. She is old and knows everything. When she found out she pulled me into her bothan and told me to get rid of him. "You could be severely punished for this," she said. She was holding on to my arm tight and it hurt a lot even though she is old and her hands are small. "I know," I said, and I tried to pull my arm away. People think that I'm stupid but I'm not stupid. "Get rid of it. Before someone finds out who isn't as forgiving as I am." She let go of my arm and I rubbed it and then I left. "All right, Aggie, my turn." The voice is a surprise to me. I must have been staring at the fire for longer than I thought. It is Flora who is there and it is her turn to come in. I am in panic because she may have seen Milkwort. My eyes look to where he was. He's not there. "I need to do up my cl-cloaks. Give me one-- one moment, will you?" "Of course." It is lucky that Flora turns away so I can search for Milkwort without her seeing. I want to call for him, but Flora will hear me if I do that, so I only do it in my head. Talking to animals is not dùth, which means you shouldn't do it. He is nowhere by the fire and there is nothing for him to hide behind. He wouldn't have run away. He would never leave me. Then I spot him in a gap between the stones in the wall. It was clever for him to go there. I hold out my hand. He jumps onto my arm and behind my neck and into the pocket again. That was close. I do up my cloaks the quickest possible. "I'm done," I say to Flora. Excerpted from The Good Hawk (Shadow Skye, Book One) by Joseph Elliott All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.