Death of a King

Gr 5–7—Thirteen-year-old Alex is on a journey through 13th-century Scotland to find his present-day parents. While on his adventure, he helps William Wallace win the Battle of Stirling Bridge, escapes death multiple times at the hands of villagers, and befriends some important people of the time. At one desperate moment, Alex's friends from the companion novel, The Battle for Duncragglin (Tundra, 2009), come to the rescue and help him change the course of history. At times, the pacing is a little strange and the character development is weak. It's hard for readers to be emotionally invested in characters who seem unconcerned about the well-being of their friends, even in the most dire situations, so intense moments of strife, such as hangings and beheadings, come across as insignificant. The story seems well researched, however, and the mix of science fiction and historical fiction will be appealing to many readers due to its quick pace and constant action.—Kristyn Dorfman, The Packer Collegiate Institute, Brooklyn, NY