ANNOTATION

Keladry of Mindelan continues her training to become a squire with the aid of a new maid, the support of her friends, interference from some other pages, and some serious, even dangerous opposition.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Kel fights to maintain the rigorous regimen of a page while confronting the prejudices that come with being a female in a man's world and coping with a crush on her closest friend, Neal.

FROM THE CRITICS

Carolyn Cushman - Locus

Pierce returns to the Kingdom of Tortall in this young-adult fantasy....The idea of a girl proving herself in a male-dominated field is hardly new, but Keladry's a real scrapper, and her adventures are truly entertaining.

VOYA

This second book in the Protector of the Small series picks up the pace. First Test (Random, 1999/VOYA June 2000) covered Kel's first year as a probationary page. This sequel covers all three remaining years of training in what is clearly a middle book. Characters and situations carry over from the first installment, and story lines are left unresolved for the next. Kel remains as the only girl in the page training program, but she has a devoted group of friends and a mysterious benefactor. Most readers will of course realize that the benefactor is Alanna, the Lioness. As Kel becomes a teenager, she must cope with her maturing body as well as with her changing feelings for her friend Neal—and the feelings of some of the other boys for her. These are minor plot elements, but they help keep Kel real. Kel emerges as a natural leader of her fellow pages. She befriends a young serving woman who has been physically abused, teaches her self-defense techniques, and comes to her rescue, even at risk to Kel's own life and ambition. Kel is a delightful heroine—sensible, matter-of-fact, and hard working. She lives in a world of magic but is nonmagical herself, relying instead on skill, practice, and intelligence. Fans of Pierce already are waiting for the next in this series. The combination of school story and fantasy make this series a natural to suggest to Harry Potter fans who have yet to encounter Pierce's stories. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2000, Random House, 257p, Ages 12 to 15. Reviewer: Sarah Flowers SOURCE: VOYA,April 2001 (Vol. 24, No.1)

KLIATT

Tamora Pierce has written over 15 fantasy books, acclaimed for their quality and readability. Keladry of Mindelan, who starts out as an 11-year-old page in training, brings this royal fantasy to life. As the plot develops, she must pass difficult military tests and conquer her fear of heights, as well as the perception of her as an incompetent girl. During a training mission, bandits attack Kel and her group. While everyone else panics, she earns well-deserved respect through her quick thinking and action, saving the lives of the whole group of pages. As the reader advances with her through four years of intensive military training, Kel develops a reachable personality complete with strengths, weaknesses, and compassion. Her compassion and sense of duty nearly cost her four years of training, not to mention her life, when she chooses to save a friend from kidnapping, rather than attend her final exams. Kel succeeds in this traditional male role, without losing her femininity, and shows that part of being strong means caring about others. (Protector of the Small, Vol. 2) KLIATT Codes: J—Recommended for junior high school students. 2000, Random House, 268p., $4.99. Ages 13 to 15. Reviewer: Kim Harris; YA Libn., Newman Riga Lib., Churchville, NY , September 2001 (Vol. 35 No. 5)

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-In this second tour through the fantasy kingdom of Tortall, Keladry begins her second year as the first "official" girl page. She has a new friend, a shy and uncertain maid who has been bullied and possibly molested, whom she helps overcome her fears by teaching her self-defense. Kel and her friends meet new challenges as they continue their training to become knights, face down a pack of raiders, and rescue one of their own from kidnappers. Appearances by familiar characters from the previous book will please fans, but new readers will have no trouble following the story. The plot is engaging and Kel's character growth continues as she deals with puberty, works to overcome her fear of heights, and gains the respect of her peers and teachers. Many books portray girls excelling in traditionally male roles through manipulation and finesse, but Pierce makes Kel sweat for her success through perseverance, hard work, and skill. Readers will appreciate this true example of grrrl power!-Heather Dieffenbach, Lexington Public Library, KY Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Carolyn Cushman - Locus

Pierce returns to the Kingdom of Tortall in this young-adult fantasy....The idea of a girl proving herself in a male-dominated field is hardly new, but Keladry's a real scrapper, and her adventures are truly entertaining.