The Wind Singer

Children's books about the horrors of standardized testing are increasingly popular these days. From Edward Bloor's well-intentioned, Story Time to The Report Card by the otherwise talented Andrew Clements, these books have attempted to capture the dangers of this destructive teaching tool. Both books have fallen short, leaving some people to wonder if there could ever be a book that discusses this controversial subject well. What few people know is that there's a fantastic well-written and beautifully put together fantasy series that begins with the horrific results of what happens when a society bases all decisions on testing. Regular methodical testing. In William Nicholson's, "The Wind Singer", (the first in his "Wind On Fire" trilogy), the term "distopia" takes on a whole new look and meaning. In a book that is simultaneously wise, beautifully penned, and deeply moving, "The Wind Singer", gets to the bottom of rigid test-based communities and show us a great worst-case scenario. Aramanth is a community that loves its tests. Living by the daily pledge, "I vow to strive harder, to reach higher, and in every way to seek to make tomorrow better than today", its citizens embody the ultimate caste system. Based on strict standardized testing, people live according to how well they test. The nicest homes belong to those members of society that answer quizzes effectively and intelligently. For those people who don't like tests or don't do well on them for a variety of reasons, they live on the bottom rungs of society. There's very little rebellion in Aramanth due to its rigid control of any possible insubordination on the part of its citizens. That is, until the day little Kestrel Hath decides that she doesn't want to live in a world based on testing anymore. Suddenly she's endangered her family and herself. There seems no escape from Aramanth's rules and regulations, until the ancient Emperor, a disused ruler, tells Kestral about the Wind Singer. This gigantic and ancient construction of pipes that towers over the town was once given the ability to sing to its citizens, calming their hearts and making them happy. When the key to the Wind Singer's voice was stolen, the society became cold and hardened into its current state. With her twin brother Bowman and their initially unwanted tagalong Mumpo at her side, Kestral and company embark on a quest to save Aramanth from itself once and for all. I nominate this book for the title, Perfect Distopian Novel. I've not fallen for a fabulous fantasy in a long time, and this book has everything you could want in it. A great (and little used) moral. Characters you care about deeply. A gripping plot. Everything. I greatly appreciated that the parents of the heroes in this book were not only both alive (not usually the case in fantasies) but also active, amusing, and subversive aids to their kids' efforts. Too often parents fret and flail in children's novels, adding nothing to the story but woe. In this book

This book is insane.There's no point trying to read the third book without the first two, because they build to the beauty of the trilogy. Actually, I read the first book in fourth grade when I was nine and I loved it because it was funny and awe-inspiring. Last year, at age eleven, I remembered the first book and I came here to buy the other do, impulsively. The second book was not immature. Each scene was beautiful in its own way, with titles like "Terror at Dawn" that were very symbolic in deeper ways. You started to see the beauty of Kestrel and Bowman's connection and how much they needed each other. The action wasn't what turned me on about the book, but the pure beauty of what was happening. The third book was a great ending. The Wind of Fire was so beautiful it made me cry. You must find out what that is.One word to describe this book: beautiful.WHERE BROOKLYN AT!

Nowadays many books for children, like Harry Potter or the Golden Compass books, focus on societies or people that are wholly good or bad, and act accordingly. What captured me about this trilogy was the concept that oppressive societies, slavery, and other cruelties can be the catalyst for goodness, artistic beauty, and personal growth and understanding. Although this is closer to reality, it is refreshingly painted in an unambiguous, stark style that is compelling without being overpowering. The children are clever and confront challenges with creative, bold action. A wonderful story with great inspiration hidden under the edges. Recommended for kids in 6th grade or so.

Ok im only 13 years old and it wasnt a struggle to read at all. I cant write very good rewievs, so make sure you read all the other ones written by intelligent and extremely helpful people. I just want to say if you are thinking of buying this book go RIGHT AHEAD! i guarantee you will not be dissapointed. The characters are all brilliant. I have written books myself but i have never got so involved witht he characters emotions and feelings before. It even made me cry- which i dont often do. I keep reading it again and again and again. Im still not bored of it just sad that it's ended.I rate this book a well deserved 5 out of 5! It is extremely gripping, adventurous and jam packed with stuff. PLEASE read it, especially if you have read the other two in the trilogy. If you like teen books like artemis fowl, his dark materials ect you will LOVE this. It is even better! The ending isn't absolutely great as it is a bit soppy but who cares??? Its... its... its...amazing! INGENIOUS!!!

Wow! This book is great! It's so witty and charming, it should be a hit with both kids, as well as adults. It's storyline similar to "The Giver", as well as it's sequal, "Gathering Blue" in the sense that people are being controlled, walled in to their city, and given no sense of freedom whatsoever. This book is about a girl, Kestrel, who dares to rebel. Along with her brother, Bowman and new "friend", Mumpo, she sets off on a journey to find the voice of the Wind Singer, which will bring an end to the controlled life she and her people know. Her journey is both exciting and terrifying, and I found it difficult to put it down, once I had started to read. It has a witty and engaging style of writing. The clever imagination of the author has come up with an interesting storyline, and very well thought out characters and plot. When you are done this book, you may find yourself saying, "Wow, is this it? I'd love to read more!" Never fear! All you need to do is grab yourself a copy of the second installment in the trilogy, "Slaves of the Mastery".