Today is the launch day of Julie Leung’s new middle grade fantasy novel, A TAIL OF CAMELOT – the first book in her MICE OF THE ROUND TABLE series.
I had the privilege of reading an advanced copy of A TAIL OF CAMELOT – and the even bigger privilege of interviewing Julie for a feature on the Swanky Seventeen blog.
This book is one of my top ten favorite reads this year – and a book I wish I would have gotten to read as a child.
Seriously – it has it all: Camelot; mice in chain mail; a darling reluctant hero. What’s not to love?
It’s pretty much a perfect book. Smart, beautifully written, and adorable.
You can read more of my thoughts in my Goodreads review.
A Tail of Camelot by Julie Leung
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Julie Leung has written an enchanting novel. Filled with a darling hero, truly evil villains, page-turning action, and beautiful imagery, A TAIL OF CAMELOT is a story that readers of all ages will turn to again and again.
Calib is the perfect hero – big-hearted and brave – and in way over his head. He’s easy to root for. He’s a good mouse trying to do the right thing only to find himself falling into one bad situation after another. The writing is so fresh and gorgeously detailed that you feel like you’re right there with him – following in his pawsteps as he struggles to save his kingdom and live up to the legacy of his family name.
I simply adored every page of this book. I was only sorry it wasn’t around when I was a kid. It’s a must for any classroom or home library. Middle grade readers are going to devour it, and teachers and parents are going to love to read it aloud with their kids.
For readers:
- Mice in chain-mail; owl allies; talking ravens; even a big-hearted bear.
- Tons of action.
- A brave hero who’s easy to root for.
For teachers
- A spot-on Camelot retelling.
- Discussion about courage and what it really means to be brave.
- Gorgeous detail and descriptions.
And you can buy a copy of A TAIL OF CAMELOT at all the places good books are sold, including:
Get it. Read it. Share it. You’re going to love it.
Congratulations, Julie!
I love books for middle-graders. I love reading them, talking about them, and sharing them with kids, teachers, and parents. The best part about reading books for middle-graders is remembering what it was like to be a kid – to be nine-years-old and just figuring out school and friends and family – at the same time you’re beginning to examine exactly where you belong in the great big world.