Book Descriptions
for The Arkadians by Lloyd Alexander
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Lucian is a bored counting clerk in the ruling house of Arkadia. When he unwittingly gets caught up in political intrigue he must flee for his life. On the road, he meets Fonto, a poet who has been turned into a donkey, and Joy-in-the-Dance, a young woman who is also the Pythoness, an oracle from the line of Arkadia's pre-patriarchal era. In a blend of Greek myth with contemporary storytelling spiced by feminist politics, the three set out on a journey in which Lucian seeks his true calling, Fonto seeks a return to human form, and Joy-in-the-Dance seeks a peaceful future for the people of Arkadia. Memorable characters, witty dialogue and droll humor propel the action in this this epic-like adventure novel. (Ages 12-14)
CCBC Choices 1995. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 1995. Used with permission.
From the Publisher
Three unusual companions—one fantastic journey!
Lucian is on the run from a pair of murderous soothsayers. Joy-in-the-Dance knows magic and marvels, and is on a quest. Fronto is a poet-turned-donkey who wants to break the spell that turned him into an animal. The three of them join forces and set out through Arkadia—on an amazing trip that will change their lives.
“Master storyteller Alexander keeps the action brisk, packs the text with a riveting collection of weird characters, fantastic settings, plot twists, derring-do, heroes, villains, magic, prophecy, humor, shipwrecks, fires—what more could readers ask for?”—Kirkus Reviews
Lucian is on the run from a pair of murderous soothsayers. Joy-in-the-Dance knows magic and marvels, and is on a quest. Fronto is a poet-turned-donkey who wants to break the spell that turned him into an animal. The three of them join forces and set out through Arkadia—on an amazing trip that will change their lives.
“Master storyteller Alexander keeps the action brisk, packs the text with a riveting collection of weird characters, fantastic settings, plot twists, derring-do, heroes, villains, magic, prophecy, humor, shipwrecks, fires—what more could readers ask for?”—Kirkus Reviews
Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.