Smith, Linda. The minstrel's daughter.

SMITH, Linda. The minstrel's daughter. (Book One of the Tales of the Three Lands Trilogy.) Coteau. 261 p. c2004. 1-55050-309-X. $8.95. J

This first book in a trilogy proves to be an exciting adventure through the lands of Frey. Cat is furious about her mother's remarriage and runs away to find her birth father, who has been a wandering minstrel since Cat was born. She uses the services of Master Weaver, a local wizard, to do a finding spell to locate her father. Once in her father's city of Freyfall, Cat has to survive on the streets without money or food. She meets interesting townsfolk and learns some harsh lessons about the real world. She meets up with Garth, a young apprentice wizard who accidentally turns Cat into, ironically, a cat. When he is unable to reverse the spell, they team up and try to locate Cat's father. They unwittingly uncover a secret plot to cause war among the local governments; at the same time the feline form of Cat convinces Garth to pursue his dream of being a minstrel instead of a wizard as his grandfather wishes.

Cat and Garth are heroes who are as accessible as they are entertaining. They are good role models of two strong, intelligent teens who can thrive in the face of adversity. This fantasy novel by Canadian author Linda Smith is a well-written magical romp that will have the reader anxiously turning the pages to see what happens next. Erin Darr, Libn., Sill MS, Cuyahoga Falls, OH

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