Jepp, Who Defied the Stars

Fate-is it written in the stars from the moment we are born, or is it a bendable thing that we can shape with our own hands? Jepp of Astraveld needs to know.

He left his countryside home on the empty promise of a stranger, only to become a captive in the strange, luxurious prison that is Coudenberg Palace, the royal court of the Spanish infanta. Nobody warned Jepp that, as a court dwarf, daily injustices would become his seemingly unshakeable fate. If the humiliations were his alone, perhaps he could endure them, but it breaks Jepp's heart to see his friend Lia suffer.

After Jepp and Lia perform a daring escape from the palace, Jepp is imprisoned again, alone in a cage. Now, spirited across Europe by a kidnapper in a horse-drawn carriage, Jepp is unsure where his unfortunate stars may lead him.

Before Jepp can become the master of his own destiny, he will need to prove himself to a brilliant and eccentric new master-a man devoted to uncovering the secrets of the stars-earn the love of a girl brave and true, and unearth the long-buried secrets of his parentage. He will find that beneath the breathtaking cruelty of the world is something else: the persistence of human kindness.

Masterfully written, grippingly paced, and inspired by real historical characters, Jepp, Who Defied the Stars is an awe-inspiring story of triumph in the face of unimaginable odds.

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Jepp, Who Defied the Stars

Fate-is it written in the stars from the moment we are born, or is it a bendable thing that we can shape with our own hands? Jepp of Astraveld needs to know.

He left his countryside home on the empty promise of a stranger, only to become a captive in the strange, luxurious prison that is Coudenberg Palace, the royal court of the Spanish infanta. Nobody warned Jepp that, as a court dwarf, daily injustices would become his seemingly unshakeable fate. If the humiliations were his alone, perhaps he could endure them, but it breaks Jepp's heart to see his friend Lia suffer.

After Jepp and Lia perform a daring escape from the palace, Jepp is imprisoned again, alone in a cage. Now, spirited across Europe by a kidnapper in a horse-drawn carriage, Jepp is unsure where his unfortunate stars may lead him.

Before Jepp can become the master of his own destiny, he will need to prove himself to a brilliant and eccentric new master-a man devoted to uncovering the secrets of the stars-earn the love of a girl brave and true, and unearth the long-buried secrets of his parentage. He will find that beneath the breathtaking cruelty of the world is something else: the persistence of human kindness.

Masterfully written, grippingly paced, and inspired by real historical characters, Jepp, Who Defied the Stars is an awe-inspiring story of triumph in the face of unimaginable odds.

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Jepp, Who Defied the Stars

Jepp, Who Defied the Stars

by Katherine Marsh, Richard Powers

Narrated by Richard Powers

Unabridged — 11 hours, 7 minutes

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Jepp, Who Defied the Stars

Jepp, Who Defied the Stars

by Katherine Marsh, Richard Powers

Narrated by Richard Powers

Unabridged — 11 hours, 7 minutes

Overview

Fate-is it written in the stars from the moment we are born, or is it a bendable thing that we can shape with our own hands? Jepp of Astraveld needs to know.

He left his countryside home on the empty promise of a stranger, only to become a captive in the strange, luxurious prison that is Coudenberg Palace, the royal court of the Spanish infanta. Nobody warned Jepp that, as a court dwarf, daily injustices would become his seemingly unshakeable fate. If the humiliations were his alone, perhaps he could endure them, but it breaks Jepp's heart to see his friend Lia suffer.

After Jepp and Lia perform a daring escape from the palace, Jepp is imprisoned again, alone in a cage. Now, spirited across Europe by a kidnapper in a horse-drawn carriage, Jepp is unsure where his unfortunate stars may lead him.

Before Jepp can become the master of his own destiny, he will need to prove himself to a brilliant and eccentric new master-a man devoted to uncovering the secrets of the stars-earn the love of a girl brave and true, and unearth the long-buried secrets of his parentage. He will find that beneath the breathtaking cruelty of the world is something else: the persistence of human kindness.

Masterfully written, grippingly paced, and inspired by real historical characters, Jepp, Who Defied the Stars is an awe-inspiring story of triumph in the face of unimaginable odds.

Editorial Reviews

The New York Times Book Review

Self-conscious about your body? Unsure where—or if—you'll ever fit in? Wondering when people will start treating you like an adult? Katherine Marsh's Jepp, Who Defied the Stars delves into these perennial adolescent challenges while transporting her readers to a tiny island in Denmark in the late 16th century…Jepp does, as the title of Marsh's novel announces, defy what another less gifted and determined young man might accept as fate, just as Marsh transcends genre to create an engaging narrative complex enough to keep not-so-young adults turning its pages.
—Kathryn Harrison

AudioFile

Paul Michael Garcia is superb as he uses subtle touches to give each character a unique flavor. His voice for the well-known astronomer Tycho Brahe is especially skillful…Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”

 New York Times bestselling author of Jonathan Safran Foer

This highly unusual story about a highly unusual hero will also feel like your story. Few of us are imprisoned dwarfs, but all of us want to guide our own lives.” 

starred review Publishers Weekly

An epic search for love, family, respect, and a destiny of one’s own making.”

BookPage

With an engaging hero and unusual setting, Jepp is compelling historical fiction about the treatment of those who are different and the challenges they face to be viewed as equals.”

Kirkus Reviews

A fast-paced adventure, abundant with period details…The honest and humorously self-deprecating voice of Jepp moves readers to rejoice with him as he seeks and manipulates his destiny.”

National Book Award finalist Nancy Werlin

Rich, absorbing storytelling—a terrific read in every way.”

 New York Times bestselling author Ruta Sepetys

Delightful characters, unique setting, and lovely prose. This is historical fiction at its best!”

2012 New York Times Notable, Winner
2014 Texas Library Association Tayshas High School Reading List, Winner
2013 Junior Library Guild Selection, Winner
2013 Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year, Winner
2012 Wall Street Journal Best Book, Winner
2013 Young Hoosier Book Award Master List (Indiana), Winner

Product Details

BN ID: 2940169724813
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Publication date: 10/09/2012
Edition description: Unabridged
Age Range: 8 - 11 Years
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Related Subjects

Teens & YA
Teen Fiction
Historical Fiction - Teen Fiction
Historical fiction->General->Teen fiction
Teens & YA
Teen Fiction
Historical Fiction - Teen Fiction
Historical fiction->General->Teen fiction

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