First Test (Protector of the Small Series #1)

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Overview

In the medieval and fantastic realm of Tortall, Keladry of Mindelan (known as Kel) is the first girl to take advantage of the decree that permits females to train for knighthood. But Kel is not a girl to underestimate. . . .
“Part school story . . . part fantasy . . . part animal story . . . this is a splendidly rousing feast.”—Booklist

Ten-year-old Keladry of Mindalen, daughter of nobles, serves as a page but must prove herself to...

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First Test (Protector of the Small Series #1)

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More About This Book

Overview

In the medieval and fantastic realm of Tortall, Keladry of Mindelan (known as Kel) is the first girl to take advantage of the decree that permits females to train for knighthood. But Kel is not a girl to underestimate. . . .
“Part school story . . . part fantasy . . . part animal story . . . this is a splendidly rousing feast.”—Booklist

Ten-year-old Keladry of Mindalen, daughter of nobles, serves as a page but must prove herself to the males around her if she is ever to fulfill her dream of becoming a knight.

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Editorial Reviews

Children's Literature - Christopher Moning
Ogres and strange creatures threaten the Kingdom of Tortall. It has been decided that girls should be allowed to become knights. Ten-year-old Keladry wishes to pursue the arduous training toward knighthood. But the training master, Lord Wyldon, insists that Kel endure a one-year probationary period. What follows is a sort of medieval boot camp, replete with rugged training, ruthless instructors, and hazing pages. Kel is determined to survive her probation. She finds a friend in Neal, a fellow knight in training. When Kel and her classmates are confronted with real-life attackers, Kel proves her worth to Lord Wyldon--and to the Kingdom of Tortall. This is the first episode in the "Protector of the Small" fantasy series.
VOYA
Ten years after the proclamation that girls could train to be knights, there is finally a willing candidate. Keladry of Mendelan is determined to follow the example of her brothers and become a knight. Kel is told that she must undergo a probationary year to be allowed to fulfill her dream. The training master, Lord Wyldon, well known for his dislike of female warriors, has decided to do whatever is necessary to change her mind. Kel is a very different type of heroine for this author. Unlike Alanna, whom readers met in the Song of the Lioness Quartet (Random, 19891997), Kel is not masquerading as a boy, and she has no magic, wild or otherwise, as Daine employed in the Immortals Quartet (Random, 19971998). She is an attractive, wellrounded character in her own right. The world of Tortall has evolved in Pierce's books, and Kel is much closer to most of the general populationshe lives without any magical abilities in a country full of hideous and dangerous immortals. Kel survives on strength of character, determination, and hard work. Familiar faces from the earlier series do appear but are tangential to Kel and her trials in this initial book in the Protector of the Small series. Pierce's familiarity with her setting means that she can concentrate on plot and character, without spending a great deal of time explaining the background to the story. Unlike Circle of Magic: Sandry's Story (Scholastic, 1997/VOYA December 1997), there is a much more fluent storytelling. Pierce's fans will relish a new series, and firsttime readers are in store for a treat. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined asgrades6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 1999, Random, Ages 12 to 15, 216p, $16. Reviewer: Betsy Fraser
School Library Journal
Gr 5-8-Ten years after the proclamation that girls are eligible for a page's training at the court of King Jonathan of Tortall, 10-year-old Keladry applies and is accepted, but on probation, a condition never forced on male applicants. Resolutely accepting the challenge, the hostility of the royal training master, and harassment by fellow pages, Kel makes her way through this difficult year. Trained from early childhood by stoic Yamani warriors, she is capable of hiding her feelings, fearless in a fight, and willing to work hard to develop the necessary physical capacity. Her sympathy and support for the underdog and her sense of chivalry earn her the admiration of a group of fellow pages. She also befriends the sparrows that live outside her window and wins over a difficult horse. Kel performs well in her first real battle and is grudgingly allowed to stay for another year of training. The medieval/magical world of Tortall has been the setting for eight of the author's titles; in First Test, the first of a new series, this fantasy world is clear and well developed, allowing the book to stand on its own. Characters who may be familiar to readers of the previous titles are reintroduced successfully or remain on the sidelines. The scrappy Kel is an appealing and believable girl whose struggles to integrate a formerly all-male world are both familiar and freshly told. This is smooth storytelling and a satisfying read.-Kathleen Isaacs, Edmund Burke School, Washington, DC Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780375829055
  • Publisher: Random House Children's Books
  • Publication date: 8/24/2004
  • Series: Protector of the Small Series , #1
  • Pages: 216
  • Sales rank: 72,932
  • Age range: 12 - 17 Years
  • Product dimensions: 5.63 (w) x 8.18 (h) x 0.55 (d)

Meet the Author

Tamora Pierce
In the sixth grade, Tamora Pierce was encouraged by her father to start writing and she immediately got hooked. Once she discovered fantasy and science fiction, she tried to write the same kind of stories she read, only with teenaged girl heroines who were usually missing from the 1960s stories.

Before her junior year at the University of Pennsylvania where she studied psychology, Pierce rediscovered writing when she wrote her first original short story since tenth grade. She sold her first story a year later and then enrolled in a fiction writing course during her senior year. When her teacher suggested that she tackle a novel, her childhood ideas came back to her and she began her first sword and sorcery novel.

Pierce then worked as a housemother in an Idaho group home for teenaged girls, who loved hearing Alanna’s story from the in-progress quartet, Song of the Lioness. As Pierce continued to write and send out manuscripts, she moved to Manhattan to get her publishing career off the ground.

Pierce still lives in Manhattan with her husband, writer/filmmaker Tim, and their three cats, two parakeets, plus a floating population of rescued wildlife. She enjoys her hectic life as a full-time writer and she hopes that her books leave her readers with the feeling that they can achieve anything if they want it badly enough.

Tamora Pierce is a popular author of fantasy books for teenagers. In her latest quartet, Protector of the Small, readers follow heroine Kel as she rigorously trains for the knighthood.

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Read an Excerpt

Decisions

Alanna the Lioness, the Kino Champion, could hardly contain her glee. Baron Piers of Mindeldan had written to King Jonathan to say that his daughter wished to be a page. Alanna fought to sit still as she watched Wyldon of Cavall, the royal training master, read the barons letter. Seated across his desk from them, the king watched the trainig master as sharply as his Champion did. Lord Wyldon was known for his dislike of female warriors.

It had been ten long years since the proclamation that girls might attempt a page’s training Alanna had nearly given up hope that such a girl- or the kind of family that would allow her to do so-,existed in Tortall, but at last she had come forward. Keladry of Mindelan would not have to hide her sex for eight years as Alanna had done. Keladry would prove to the world that girls could be knights. And she would not be friendless. Alanna had plans to help Keladry through the first few years. It never occurred to the Champion that anyone might object.

Alanna, half turned to see Wyldon better. Surely he'd read the letter at least twice! From this side the puffy scars from his battle to save the younger princes and princess were starkly visible; Wyldod’s right arm was in a sling yet from that fight. Alanna rubbed fingers that itched with the urge to apply healing magic. Wyldon had the idea that suffering pain made a warrior stronger. He would not thank her if she tried to heal him now.

Goddess bless, she thought tiredly. How will I ever get on with him if I'm to help this girl Keladry?

Wyldon was not flexible: he'd proved that to the entire court over and over. If he were any stiffer, Alanna thought wryly, I’d paint a design on him and use him for a shield. He's got no sense of humor and he rejects change just because it's change.

Still, she had to admit that his teaching worked. During the Immortals War of the spring and early summer, when legendary creatures had joined with the realm’s human enemies to take the kingdom, the squires and pages had been forced into battle. They had done well, thanks to their training by Wyldon and the teachers he had picked.

At last Lord Wyldon returned the letter to King Jonathan, who placed it on his desk. "The baron and the baroness of Mindelan are faithful servants of the crown,” the king remarked. “We would not have this treaty with the Yamani Islands were it not for them. You will have read that their daughter received some warrior training at the Yamani court, so it would appear that Keladry has an aptitude."

Lord Wyldon resettled his arm in its sling. "I did not agree to this, Your Majesty."

Alanna was about to say that he didn’t have to agree when she saw the king give the tiniest shake of the head. Clenching her jaws, she kept her remark to herself as King Jonathan raised his eyebrows.

"Your predecessor agreed," he reminded Wyldon. "And you, my lord, implied agreement when you accepted the post of training master."

"That is a lawyer's reply, sire,” Wyldon replied stiffly, a slight flush rising in his cean-shaven cheeks.

"Then here is a king's: we desire this girl to train as a page."

And that is that, Alanna thought, satisfied. She might be the kind of knight who would argue with her king, at least in private, but Wyldon would never let himself do so.

The training master absently rubbed the arm in its linen sling. At last he bowed in his chair. "May we compromise, sire?"

Alanna stiffened. She hated that word! "Com—-" she began to say.

The king silenced her with a look. "What do you want, my lord?"

"In all honesty," said the training master, thinking aloud, "I had thought that our noble parents loved their daughters too much to place them in so hard a life."

"Not everyone is afraid to do anything new," Alanna replied sharply.

"Lioness," said the king, his voice dangerously quiet. Alanna clenched her fists. What was going on? Was Jonathan inclined to give way to the man who'd saved his children?

Wyldon's eyes met hers squarely. "Your bias is known, Lady Alanna." To the king he said, "Surely the girl's parents cannot be aware of the difficulties she will encounter."

"Baron Piers and Lady Ilane are not fools” replied King Jonathan. "They have given us three good, worthy knights already,"

Lord Wyldon gave a reluctant nod. Anders, Inness, and Conal of Mindelan were credits to their training. The realm would feel the loss of Anders-whose war wounds could never heal entirely-from the active duty rolls. It would take years to replace those who were killed or maimed in the Immortals War.

"Sire, please, think this through,” Wyldon said. "We need the realm’s sons. Girls are fragile, more emotional, easier to frighten. They are not as strong in their arms and shoulders as men. They tire easily. This girl would get any warriors who serve with her killed on some dark night.

Alanna started to get up. This time King Jonathan walked out from behind his desk. Standing beside his Champion, he gripped one of her shoulders, keeping her in her chair.

".But I will be fair," Wyldon continued. His brown eyes were hard. “Let her be on probation for a year. By the end of the summer field camp, if she has not convinced me of her ability to keep up, she must go home."

"Who judges her fitness?" inquired the king.

Wyldon’s lips tightened. "Who but the training master, sire? I have the most experience in evaluating the young for their roles as future knights."

Alanna turned to stare at the king. "No boy has ever undergone a probationary period!" she cried.

Wyldon raised his good shoulder in a shrug. "Perhaps they should. For now, I will not tender my resignation over this, provided I judge whether this girl stays or goes in one year's time."

The king weighed the request. Alanna fidgeted. She knew Lord Wyldon meant his threat, and the crown needed him. Too many great nobles, dismayed by the changes in Tortall. since Jonathan’s coronation, felt that Wyldon was their voice at court. If he resigned, the king and queen would find it hard to get support for their future changes.

At last King Jonathan said, "Though we do not always agree, my lord, you know I respect you because you are fair and honorable. I would hate to see that fairness, that honor, tainted in any way. Keladry of Mindelan shall have a year's probation."

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Table of Contents

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 245 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(197)

4 Star

(36)

3 Star

(11)

2 Star

(1)

1 Star

(0)

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 247 Customer Reviews

  • Posted September 28, 2011

    more from this reviewer

    Awesome!

    Keladry wants to be a knight! Not an easy goal in a man's world. Book one is year one as a page. She must deal with terrible prejudice and violence from almost every side and every moment. She is exceptionally determined to succeed. Very cool and inspirational!

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted July 7, 2012

    Five stars

    This book was amazing. It had action, adventure, fantasy, and even a touch of romance in the series. I was impressed by these books and loved every second reading it.

    From the start, kel is shown as a strong, independant girl. You fall in love with her bravery and determination as she's tested by the crown and by her peers. You watch her grow throughout the story and the series. She makes friends in odd places and enemies along the way, but its worth the read to follow kel down the dark and dangerous road of adventure. She is truely a Protector of the Small

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 30, 2011

    I love this book, this series, this author.

    Tamora Pierce weaves stories about girls and women in Tortall and the lands near Tortall so beautifully, so fully. The stories and the characters envelop you until you understand them in their entirety. The plot is interesting and the characters really give the girls and women and the people in general of today and tomorrow something to look to, something to aim for. The character range is broad enough to match pretty much everyone. I really reccomend Tamora Pierce's books and series' based in Tortall.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted January 4, 2011

    wow

    i recomend this whole series and anything else written by this author.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 20, 2012

    Love the book, love the author!

    This book was a great read and perfect for any young adult. I re-read Tamora Pierce's works all the time. She is an amazing author. My favorite series by far is The Song of the Lioness, but the Protector of the Small comes in second!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 4, 2012

    Kel story i love

    I kel the charter and the story of all of her charter kel is my favs

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 30, 2012

    Incredible

    A quick read to capture your heart.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 19, 2012

    Loved it Loved it!!!!!

    This book is one of my favorites !!!!!!! First Test is about a girl called kell,a girl who wants to be a knight .

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 27, 2013

    Apop

    This was one of the best books I've EVER read, and I've read alot of books. Kel wants to be a knight. She has to start as a page. Kel is tortured (literally) by some boys. Yet she does NOT quit. I think Kel is the sort of girl I'd like to be (but I'm not). This is a good book for you if you are intrested in midevil times.

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  • Posted April 26, 2013

    Awsome highly reccommended!

    Awsome highly reccommended!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 25, 2013

    incredible book!!

    I think this book is amazing!! the plot is perferctly planned out, and it is one of the best ways to start of a series. Its is just plain intruiging to the people that are just starting this series.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 2, 2013

    Best childrens series ever!

    This was by far one of the best children series I have ever read. As an educator I recomend this series to every young girl I teach.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 30, 2013

    Headline?

    Love this book!!!!!!!!!!!! Kel is so strong and I fell in love with neal! I couldn't put it down. Read the series on vacation, took my book everywhere. I didn't waste my vacation!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted November 7, 2012

    The Best of Tamora!

    This is an amazing series filled with strong likable characters. Ive read it several times now, first at 16 and now at 21. I still love. I highly recommend reading this.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted July 6, 2012

    Lady Knights.

    For anyone who has been dying for more lady knight action, this is your book. With characters, we know and love, and more new ones, i highly recommend this to any of Pierce's fans.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 5, 2012

    Tammy Magican

    Look very good.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 24, 2012

    AMAZING

    I really loved this book it was well written and a good story. I highly recomend this book.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 14, 2012

    reccemend

    read the allaanaa books nefore this

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 7, 2012

    Hi, this is MoonheartMaster.

    This book is the beginning of a dynamic series which is definately a must have. Keladry enters a world in which no one expects her, and not many want her. Though she finds friends, she still must deal with predujice from all her fellow.classmates. Will Kel be good enough? Will she earn the respect of her fellow students? Only time will tell..
    As another review once said, I give this nook all the stars in the night sky!!! Very good

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 6, 2012

    Best book

    I loved all of ms. Pireces seires but this is the best one

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