The Last Knight (Knight and Rogue)
Grade 8&ndash;10&mdash;Longing for adventure, 18-year-old Sir Michael declares himself a knight errant (although the book has a medieval-era setting, no one has heard of such a thing in many years and the idea often gets him laughed at). Fisk, 17, is his indebted and unwilling squire. After rescuing Lady Ceciel from her prison tower, they learn that she is not a damsel in distress, but rather an accused murderess. Their attempts to bring her to justice result in her comeuppance and in the teens' tightly forged friendship that will clearly lead to further adventures. The novel is brimming with saved-by-a-hair escapades and fast-paced realistic action, told alternately from each teen's point of view. Their world is filled with "magica," a gift that allows its possessor to perform extraordinary tasks. In fact, while Michael and Fisk's bravery and wits frame their approach to the problems they incur, it is magica that enables them to escape their would-be dire fate. Nevertheless, the underlying messages could not be more real: the importance of truth, the value of friendship, and the need for staying true to oneself. Delivered skillfully, these ideas are sure to leave their mark on readers. Unusual and invented vocabulary is employed throughout. Like Bell'sThe Goblin Wood(2003) andThe Wizard Test(2005, both HarperCollins), this well-created fantasy is a great read with worthwhile moral issues pertinent to its intended audience.&mdash;Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RICopyright &copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.