Nancy Farmer

Much of the story is telling of the abuse and struggles Matt experienced growing up in a fairly isolated situation. While he gains access to books, media, music, etc, it is all in a relative social vacuum so he is surprised by things that other children absorb growing up which may never be explicitly voiced.[return]The ending, while it may be enjoyed by teen readers because it demonstrates the agency they can have to affect the world around them, seemed too far-fetched. After years of people shunning him he lands in a place where assistance is freely given. Especially false is Esperanza's assertion that he will have world support in ending the opium farming, just a few pages after she mentions how the world economy is disrupted by the halt in shipments.[return]Well-portrayed character personality. Shows use of cognitive process to identify effects of their behavior & choices, to choose what type of person they want to be.… (more)

An adventure story set somewhere in Great Britain during the "Dark Ages", after the Romans had left but the monasteries and government had not yet centralized their power. Hobgoblins, elves, and scary beings to appease, along with the Old Gods of power. Wise women and bards are the knowledge carriers, along with a few good monks. [return]Although I hadn't read the previous book, there were enough unobtrusive references to past adventure to let me know I could find more story if I wanted. [return]Some pagan traditions are included, and Saxon chants, to counterbalance the christianity. The adventure begins when Jack's sister, Lucy, insists on wearing a metal necklace during the New fire ceremony. This causes a shift in the earth's balance, a bad humor takes hold of the family, until the bard learns that Lucy is really a changeling. Jack, Lucy, and their father set off to restore balance & find the exchanged child while the mother stays home to tend bees, garden, & sheep.… (more)