The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo, Sophie Blackall
Published by Candlewick Press on September 28, 2021
ISBN: 1536213616
Pages: 256
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

Recommending for Cream.   DiCamillo weaves a fairy-tale story that celebrates the power of words, knowledge of self and the steadfastness of love. Set in an unidentified medieval time of war and using her stylized power of precise and beautiful descriptions, Dicamillo introduces the reader to each character while building the tension of a fairy tale quest.  Brother Edik is a monk in the Chronicles of Sorrowing whose joy comes from creating the illuminated letters.  Answelica is the obstinate demon goat who terrorizes the monks.  Beatryce is a young girl who doesn’t remember anything besides her name but she has the unlawful ability to read and write.  The morning Brother Edik finds Beatryce in the barn protected by Answelica as she slept, he knows that the prophecy of a young girl who will unseat the king has come true.   With the help of Jack Dory, a brave boy who listens to animals and Cannoc, an old man with hidden secrets, Beatryce makes her way to the castle with Answelica her comical protector.   A story of a mermaid is also found in the rich fabric of the tale.  Blackall’s black and white illustrations pair perfectly with the story in their placement before each short chapter.  They are also precise and provide readers foreshadowing of action while providing a sense of the Medieval style.  This story could be suggested as a read aloud, character study, supplementing a historical unit and used for a fairy tale or creative writing unit.  For grades 3-6.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services, Springvale Public Library