Medieval Adventures and a Few Life Lessons in New Graphic Novel for Middle-Grade Readers

Best-selling author Lincoln Peirce's new graphic novel for middle school readers is a fun read that introduces children to the medieval period, knights, sorcerers, and the adventures that come along with this period in history. Max & the Midknights also has a life lesson for young readers that it is important to believe in yourself. Max also learns that one cannot always trust appearances. Max also has his dream of being a troubadour.

Come along with Max as he embarks on his travels with his uncle as a traveling troubadour. Max and his uncle arrive at the kingdom of Byjovia and find that this is no longer a friendly place. Max's uncle is kidnapped by the horrible king of this kingdom. A group of kids that are outcasts in this kingdom's society have organized themselves as the Midknights and Max is fortunate to be able to join them to save his uncle. A magical sorcerer is also part of the plan to save his uncle from the mean king and to restore the kingdom of Byjovia to its friendly atmosphere. Max has always dreamed of being a knight during the medieval period and this adventure has made his dreams come true.

Graphic novels are popular with young readers with the cartoon format. Max & The Midknights does not disappoint. The black and white cartoon illustrations are filled with adventures and the text is written expertly with the vocabulary used in cartoons. Peirce also includes the idea that girls can also be knights. Alice gets to come along with Max and Uncle Budrick on their travels. Girls have knight power too!

Max & the Midknights was published by Crown Books, a division of Random House Children's Books. It is recommended for ages 8-12, and has an ISBN of 978-1-101-93108-0.

Teachers who teach reading and language arts for middle school students will be delighted with this graphic novel with a wealth of ideas for the classroom. Teachers who teach history for middle school students will also want to add this fun read to their classroom library. The medieval period is a fascinating period of time in history that young readers will have a chance to explore after coming along with Max and his adventures with knighthood, sorcerers, and the troubadours during this period of time.

*Read Max & the Midknights as a chapter book with several chapters read each day in a group reading session. Give students the opportunity practice their skills in reading aloud to their classmates. All of the action and drama present a great opportunity for students to practice dramatic reading skills.

*Have resource material available for students to explore the medieval period.

*Assign a creative writing project for students to have the opportunity to draw their own cartoons for a story about the medieval period. How many students would like to be knight during this period? How many would like to be a sorcerer during this period?

*Take the opportunity to discuss Alice as a character. Alice also wants to be a knight. Girls are not supposed to be knights. How does this connect to today's culture in which girls are encouraged to be whatever they want to be and have girl power.

*The sorcerer has a book of prophecies that he reads to Max and the midknight group. Assign a creative writing project for students to compose prophecies for their future.

*It is a good idea to let the parents of students know that you are reading this fun graphic novel in the classroom. Give parents the opportunity to explore the book with students so that everyone is comfortable with the idea of sorcerers and prophecies. Have fun with the reading.

*Introduce the vocabulary word "troubadour". Have resource material available for students to explore troubadours during the medieval period.