Thirteen-year-old Adrian is small and sickly, and others are convinced he will amount to nothing, even though his father is the village bowyer. When the war between England and Scotland erupts around them, Adrian sneaks off ongside his friend Hugh join the battle, wanting to prove his prowess with a bow and gain the respect of others. But battle in the Middle Ages is violent and unglamorous, and when the two boys end up rescuing a Scotsman from certain death, it causes them to question all they have known about loyalty and calling and, ultimately, what it means to be a man. Erskine has done a remarkable job of showing the horrific destruction of war without being preachy or overly dramatic. Her skillful rendering of medieval life s smells and limitations and ignorance reminiscent of the best from Kathryn Cushman or Avi's Crispin novels. Readers of both genders will identify with Adrian as he searches for a sense of identity, even while he confronts his own demons.

In 1346, Adrian, an English twelve-year-old with albinism, runs away to join the battle against the pagan Scots. It's a journey of self-discovery, new friends, and the realization that war isn't clear-cut or desirable. Erskine makes the Middle Ages setting accessible to readers, who will enjoy Adrian's adventures and applaud his cleverness and bravery in the face of dangerous situations.

Gr 5-8 Erskine hits the bull's-eye in her retelling of the hero's journey through the eyes of a young, medieval archer determined to prove his worth through battle. Twelve-year-old Adrian fights his reputation of being an addlepated child that is largely due to the fact that he is an albino, a condition misunderstood during the Middle Ages. Adrian, who prefers the moniker Badger, steals away to follow his friend Hugh into battle believing this will allow him to return the hero. Badger runs from pagan Scots, dens of thieves, and corrupt priests amid ancient Roman ruins and scenery such as Hadrian's Wall. Yet he also encounters kindness where he least expects it, in a pagan Scot. Badger learns that his wisdom, character, and scrivener's skills are more important than his superlative archery skills. His journey exposes him to the horrors of war: battle is not heroic but rather ugly and final. Badger sees the truth behind Brother Nigel's words regarding the written word: "Seeking the truth and sharing it is mightier than being a soldier." This lesson is hard won and anything but didactic. Erskine excels at combining action, historical tidbits (Badger hides in an ancient Roman latrine and muses on the soldiers who came before him), and thoroughly likable characters with modern sensibilities. Much like Karen Cushman's notable books, Erskine's latest deserves a place in most middle school libraries. Laura Falli, McNeil High School, Austin, TX