Morris, Gerald. The princess, the crone, and the dung cart knight.

MORRIS, Gerald. The princess, the crone, and the dung cart knight. (The Squire's Tales, Book VI.) Houghton Mifflin. 310p. c2004. 0-618-73748-0. $6.95. JS

To quote the review of the hardcover in March 2004: Here we are again, in Gerald Morris's wonderfully realized world of King Arthur. Sarah is lurking in a forest, trying to survive after the horrible death of her mother and the man, Mordecai, who had taken care of them since Sarah was a little child. Sarah wants revenge for their deaths, and seeks the knight who killed them. When another knight and a lady appear in the forest, Sarah tries to steal the knight's sword and is discovered. The knight (who turns out to be King Arthur's brother, Sir Kai) likes Sarah, teaches her the basics of sword fighting, and allows her to keep the sword (which certainly is useful later in the story). But Sir Kai and the lady he is with (Queen Guinevere!) are kidnapped and Sarah knows she must go for help so that they can be rescued. Then we have a romp, with Sir Gawain, Terence, and even a strange knight who they find riding in a dung-cart ... my heavens, it is Sir Lancelot. The crone of the title helps Sarah, but has an agenda of her own.

The plot is filled with action, with enchantments, battles, hidden identities, faeries, magic, and above all fun. This sixth book in the series by Gerald Morris can stand alone, but will be enjoyed more fully in the context of the others. Claire Rosser, KLIATT

J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.

S--Recommended for senior high school students.