Book of the Week--Mimus by Lilli Thal, tr. from German by John Brownjohn

From SLJ December 2005 (Starred Review)

Beth L. Meister, Pleasant View Elementary School, Franklin, WI -- School Library Journal, 11/14/2005

THAL, Lilli. Mimus. tr. from German by John Brownjohn. 394p. CIP. Annick, dist. by Firefly. 2005. Tr $19.95. ISBN 1-55037-925-9; pap. $9.95. ISBN 1-55037-924-0. LC C2005-902401-1.

Gr 7 Up–As this complex novel opens, Prince Florin is awaiting word of his father's negotiations to end the protracted war between Moltovia and Vinland. When the boy is summoned to Vinland for the celebration of the war's end, he finds treason and trickery, as King Philip and other Moltovian leaders are now prisoners, and he is apprenticed to Mimus, King Theodo's jester. Florin's former life of luxury is over as he lives in the same tower as the king's menagerie, faces near-starvation, and is not permitted to leave the castle. His harsh training as a jester gives him new skills, but he also has to learn self-control to survive. Plots against King Theodo and help from the enigmatic Mimus give Florin hope and lead to a dramatic conclusion. Thal has created a realistic world, both through her descriptions of its scenery and the varied characters she places within it. Florin's suffering never becomes pathetic, and he matures realistically as a result of his experiences. Mimus, King Theodo, and dozens of minor characters have roles to play and are given convincing motivations and behaviors. This is an unusually well-realized adventure, set in an alternate Middle Ages. It will have strong appeal for fantasy fans.