My Viking Friends
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-- School Library Journal, 2/27/2008 7:02:00 AM
Oh, those crazy Vikings! Warriors, sailors, explorers, pirates—what’s not to like about these guys? Even the most reluctant reader can be lured into cracking open a book if there is promise of plundering and pillaging. Check out the BBC’s online Viking resource, packed with great information and activities, including a chance to loot a monastery via the Viking Quest game.
BULLER, Laura. Vikings. illus. by Rich Cando. DK. 2007. ISBN 978-0-7566-2940-3.
Gr 4-7–Part of the “History Dudes” series, this title will have even reluctant readers convinced that history is the bomb. This cartoon saga uses a combination of celebrity interviews—Bjorn the Beserk, Rollo of Normandy, and a Viking “dudette”—and general reference spreads that include trade, funeral pyres, and mythology to tell the Vikings’ story. A time line and index are included.
FRENCH, Jackie. Rover. HarperCollins. 2007. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-085078-4; PLB $17.89. ISBN 978-0-06-085079-1.
Gr 5-8–An innocent 12-year-old farm girl grows up fast when Vikings invade her seaside village, leaving behind death and destruction. Hekja and her pup are spared and taken aboard ship to serve Freydis, the Viking woman who is leading the raids. Hekja becomes schooled in Viking ways and eventually joins an expedition to Vinland. French tells a great adventure story while keeping it historically accurate.
MOODIE, Craig. The Sea Singer. Roaring Brook. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-59643-050-1.
Gr 5-8–Moodie gives readers a Viking coming-of-age story through the eyes of 12-year-old Finn, who stows away on Leif Eriksson’s ship in the hope of finding his missing father and brother. He quickly becomes part of Eriksson’s trusted crew, eventually becoming a kind of poet laureate of the ship. The depictions of life at sea and the Viking’s journey are exciting and authentic.
ROBERTS, Judson. Viking Warrior. HarperCollins. 2006. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-079996-0; PLB $17.89. ISBN 978-0-06-079997-7; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-06-079999-1.
Gr 8-12–Roberts uses rich descriptions and complex character relationships to hook readers into the story of Halfdan, a Danish teen forced into Viking slavery. Elements of mythology, mystery, historical fiction, even a dash of romance, make this a good choice for those with a taste for Tolkien. Check out the other titles in “The Strongbow Saga,” Dragons from the Sea (2007) and Road to Vengeance (expected summer 2008).
Remarkable Reads are produced by the editors of NoveList, NoveList K-8, and Book Index with Reviews (
