From School Library Journal
Grade 7 Up--Students of the classics will appreciate Ron Keith's excellent rendition of Robert Louis Stevenson's adventure novel, set against the background of the War of the Roses. The time is 15th century England, and Richard Shelton, the young hero, overcomes one obstacle after another in his quest to rescue Joanna, his love. British actor Keith's talented voice gives life to Shelton, his friends, and his enemies, delivering the old fashioned English with ease and precise diction. The unusual vocabulary can usually be understood in context. Keith's slightly nasal, raspy, resonant voice changes frequently to differentiate between the characters, varying from bass to treble. He changes tones to express a full range of emotions. Songs are not a problem for Keith, as he knows the melody for each. Consider this audiobook for purchase where Stevenson is part of the curriculum.Claudia Moore, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
The Black Arrow: A Tale of the Two Roses ANNOTATION
In fifteenth-century England, when his father's murderer is revealed to be his guardian, seventeen-year-old Richard Shelton joins the fellowship of the Black Arrow in avenging the death, rescuing the woman he loves, and participating in the struggle between the Yorks and Lancasters in the War of the Roses.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Set in England during the 15th-century Wars of the Roses, this swash-buckling historical novel by the author of Treasure Island and Kidnapped tells the story of young Dick Shelton. Betrayed by his treacherous and brutal guardian, Sir Daniel Brackley, Dick seeks the help of John Amend-All, leader of the mysterious fellowship of the Black Arrow -- and Brackley's sworn enemy. Pitted against fierce fighters, a trecherous priest, and Sir Daniel, Dick seeks to become a knight and rescue his true love.
Brimming with adventure, suspense, and romance, this thrilling tale presents a classic portrait of England during one of its most tumultuous eras, as Dick is pulled by his loyalties to the houses of both York and Lancaster. He must make a crucial choice, for his fate and the fate of England hang in the balance.
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - David Lisk
Dick Shelton, an orphaned young noble, dreams of becoming a knight. Growing up in the house of Sir Daniel Brackley, his guardian, Dick learns the art of being a knight, becomes betrothed to an orphaned noble lady, and falls in love with her. However, Sir Daniel is not all that he seems to be. Dick learns of Sir Daniel's involvement in the murder of his father and joins a group of outlaws who have vowed revenge against Sir Daniel and those who helped him. Dick must defeat Sir Daniel, recover his true love, and somehow elude the trappings of the Wars of the Roses. This story may be less famous than Stevenson's other works, such as Treasure Island or Kidnapped, yet Stevenson is true to his writing style. Stevenson does not use complicated plot development yet fills this story with simple action and romance. His use of the vernacular lends credence to characters, and his vivid descriptions ground the book in its historical time and place. 2001 (orig. 1888), Cassell & Company Ltd/Dover Publications, Ages 12 up.
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