Intermediate (ages 9-14)

Material appropriate for intermediate age groups

Beowulf: A Tale Of Blood, Heat, And Ashes

beowulfThe exhilarating epic blazes to life — featuring illustrations by a lead artist on the LORD OF THE RINGS film trilogy.”Look into the flames and let your minds empty. . . . For this is a tale of blood and heat and ashes.”It is a tale that has been retold countless times through the centuries — and here, in an enthralling edition illustrated by a noted Tolkien artist, the mighty Beowulf is well set to capture new legions of followers. This contemporary retelling of the ancient epic — narrated with a touch of banter by the faithful Wiglaf and featuring vividly dramatic illustrations — follows the mythic hero from his disarming of the gruesome Grendel to his sword battle with the monster’s sea hag mother to his final, fiery showdown with an avenging dragon.

Perceval: King Arthur’s Knight of the Holy Grail

Retells the Arthurian legend of Perceval, a foolish and impatient boy who realizes his dream of becoming a great knight, but meets with misfortune when he forgets to pray and serve God.

The Countryside (Life In Ancient Egypt)

Describes the social and economic structure of country life during the New Kingdom period (c. 1550 BCE – 1070 BCE) of ancient Egypt, including the distinctive roles of men and women and what it was like to be a child in a peasant community.

The Children Of Lir

A haunting Irish legend, believed by some to be the basis for King Lear. A king’s jealous wife puts a spell on his children, changing them into swans, until such time as the Man from the North and the Woman from the South–two mountain peaks–are joined together. Watercolor illustrations.

Comus

In an adaptation of the poem “A Masque at Ludlow Castle” by John Milton, two young men must rescue their sister Alice from Comus, the evil magician who has bewitched her and carried her off to his hidden kingdom.

The Pharaoh’s Court (Life In Ancient Egypt)

“Describes the daily life of the upper classes during the New Kingdom period of ancient Egypt, from about 1550 BCE to about 1070 BCE, including the structure of society, the differing roles of men and women, and what it was like to be a child in that era”–Provided by publisher.

Clay Man: The Golem Of Prague

clayIt is 1595, and the rabbi’s son Jacob is frustrated with having to live in the walled ghetto known as Jewish Town. Why can’t he venture outside of the gates and explore the beautiful city? His father warns him that Passover is a dangerous time to be a Jew and that the people from outside accuse the Jews of dreadful deeds. But one night, Jacob follows his father and two companions as they unlock the ghetto gates and proceed to the river, where they mold a human shape from the mud of the riverbank. When the rabbi speaks strange words, the shape is infused with life and the Golem of Prague is born.In this breathtaking retelling of a timeless tale, Irene N. Watts’s beautiful words are complemented by the haunting black-and-white images of artist Kathryn E. Shoemaker.

The Pharaoh’s Secret (Amelia’s Notebook Series)

Filled with intrigue and surprises, The Pharaoh’s Secret includes Marissa Moss’s original illustrations throughout. The novel skillfully weaves history with a personal story full of heartache and family tensions that will entice and enthrall readers. When Talibah and her younger brother, Adom, accompany their father, an academic, to his homeland of modern Egypt on his research assignment, they become involved in a mystery surrounding an ancient, lost pharaoh—a rare queen ruler. Someone has tried to wipe her from the record, to make it appear as if she never existed! She needs Talibah to help her and her high priest, Senenmut, reclaim their rightful place in history. Exotic locales, mysterious strangers, and a sinister archaeologist round out an adventure that is full of riddles, old tales, and, most surprisingly of all, a link to Talibah’s and Adom’s mother, who died mysteriously.