The Little Duke

Though this book is intended for CHILDREN 9 and up, I found it very difficult to put it down. The author's writing style is very enjoyable, written above most texts for children. She is able to quite effectively draw the reader into the story, creating suspense and intrigue--what will happen next? But, most powerful about this tale is the character growth we see of this little boy, like most of his age, self-centered and foolish. By the end of the story, he has adopted the high values of his father and has become a great leader. Who wouldn't want to read this type of book to her young son or daughter? I have every intention of reading this soon to my own children, or using it as we study the Middle Ages together. When reading with your own children and seeing how the "Little Duke" goes through various trials and matures in character and soul, many meaningful discussions could be initiated. I always love exposing beautiful writing to my children that, at the same time, delicately trains in righteousness and character. This is a great resource for such a reading.

We homeschool using the Charlotte Mason method and my 8 yos is reading this. He says it is good...not as good as some others he's reading, but is interesting.

Although this book was written nearly a century ago and was intended for children, it can be worthwhile reading for adults, too. It was one of my favorite books as a child, but when I read it to my own daughter a few years ago, I was pleased to see that it had lost none of its appeal. This historical novel deals with the childhood of Richard the Fearless, Duke of Normandy, son of William the Long Sword, father of Richard the Good, grandfather of Robert the Magnificent (also known as Robert le Diable, about whom Giaccomo Meyerbeer wrote an important opera), and great-grandfather of William the Conqueror. Richard has been relegated to a footnote in medieval French history, but his story is a fascinating one: becoming duke of Normandy at age nine after the assassination of his father, his sojourn at the French court as a vassel, liegeman, and hostage of the King, and his daring escape (engineered by Osmond de Centeville, the young knight who was his squire and the only Norman allowed to accompany him in his captivity) when it became clear that Richard's life was in danger. Charlotte Yonge wrote a large number of books for both children and adults. Her children's books were generally intended to provide uplifting moral instruction by means of the example of heroic persons of the past, but they were well-written and did an admirable job of conveying a sense both of moral virtues such as courage and of the feel of a historical period. However instructive they were intended to be, Ms. Yonge refrained from preaching, moralizing, or pontificating, so her writing has worn well over the years.Don't be daunted by the obscurity of the historical period (tenth century France.) The book is well worth reading to your children, particularly if they have an interest in history or are simply intrigued by a rousing true tale of adventure in a distant time.