Synopses & Reviews
Mouse, a timid orphan growing up in medieval England, has little happiness in the world. But then, when she comes across a puppeteer so talented that he can make the puppets talk and dance as if they were little humans, Mouse realizes that true happiness is within reach -- and the key is learning how to make the puppets dance! What she doesn't realize, however, is just how much she and her prospective mentor have in common¨and how much, one day, they will share.
Review
Kirkus Reviews, starred review A must-read.
Review
Kirkus Reviews, starred reviewA must-read.
Review
School Library Journal, starred review A wonderfully written tale.
Review
andlt;Iandgt;Kirkus Reviews,andlt;/Iandgt; starred review A must-read.
Review
andlt;Iandgt;School Library Journal,andlt;/Iandgt; starred review A wonderfully written tale.
Synopsis
Mouse, a timid orphan growing up in medieval England, has little happiness in the world. But then, when she comes across a puppeteer so talented that he can make the puppets talk and dance as if they were little humans, Mouse realizes that true happiness is within reach -- and the key is learning how to make the puppets dance! What she doesn't realize, however, is just how much she and her prospective mentor have in common and how much, one day, they will share.
About the Author
andlt;bandgt;D. Anne Loveandlt;/bandgt;andnbsp;is the author of several award-winning novels for young readers, including andlt;i andgt;Defying the Divaandlt;/iandgt;,andlt;i andgt; Picture Perfectandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;Iandgt;Semiprecious, andlt;/Iandgt;and andlt;i andgt;The Puppeteerand#8217;s Apprenticeandlt;/iandgt;. Ms. Love lives in Texas hill country with her husband, Ron, and Major and Jake, their book-loving golden retrievers. You can visit her online at dannelove.com.
Table of Contents
Contents
CHAPTER ONE.....An Ending CHAPTER TWO.....The Travelers
CHAPTER THREE.....The Inn
CHAPTER FOUR.....The Puppeteer
CHAPTER FIVE.....Mouse Is Discovered
CHAPTER SIX.....Mouse Discovers a Secret
CHAPTER SEVEN.....The Puppet Play
CHAPTER EIGHT.....The Goose Woman's Tale
CHAPTER NINE.....A Dream Fulfilled
CHAPTER TEN.....Marbury Wood
CHAPTER ELEVEN.....Gimingham
CHAPTER TWELVE.....The Puppeteer's Tale
CHAPTER THIRTEEN.....A Beginning
AUTHOR'S NOTE
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Reading Group Guide
A GUIDE FOR READING GROUPS
THE PUPPETEER'S APPRENTICE
By D. Anne Love
ABOUT THE BOOK
In medieval Europe, an orphan girl called Mouse gains the courage she needs to follow her dreams of becoming a puppeteer's apprentice.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Simon Swan said, "A man's soul must be fed as well as his belly." What does Simon mean by "feeding a soul"? Do you think that this is true, and why or why not? What kinds of things feed your soul: music, a good book, a visit with a friend?
Names or the lack thereof are very important to this story. Mouse does not know her real name. What does her nickname say about her? Does her name reflect her personality? We also don't know the puppeteer's name. What reasons might the author have for keeping it secret?
What is an apprentice? If you could be an apprentice, where would you work and what would you do?
Many of the plays the puppeteer performed were historical tales like Noah and the Ark, King Arthur, and the story of St. George and the Dragon. These tales were well known to the audience, but they enjoyed hearing them again and again. Why do you think these stories were so popular? Can you think of stories that you like to hear over and over?
Why did Mouse (Sabine) decide to leave the kind duke and his family to follow in her mentor's footsteps as a puppeteer?
ACTIVITIES
Essay: Have students research and write about the meaning of their names. They could interview parents and/or relatives to find out why they were so named. Focus on positive self-discovery in having them detail how their own names reflect who they are or who they want to be.
One of the plays that Mouse performs is the story of King Arthur. Research the tale of King Arthur. Retell the story in class or show an educational film. Have students visit the library and create bibliography cards for a set amount of resources containing information on this subject.
Make an imaginary map of the townships, woods, and castles that Mouse visits. For fun, "age" the paper using vinegar water and tearing techniques.
Separate students into groups and instruct them to write and put on a puppet play. It can be helpful to give them some guidance on a story: for example: rewrite a favorite folktale or fairy tale.
Students can make puppets and design a stage. Students can be the puppets, using jerky puppetlike movements, while team members speak for them. If available, use real string puppets to demonstrate the art of puppetry movement.
This reading group guide is for classroom, library, and reading group use. It may be reproduced in its entirety or excerpted for these purposes.
Prepared by Tabitha Hogan
© William Allen White Children's Book Award
Please visit http://www.emporia.edu/libsv/wawbookaward/ for more information about the awards and to see curriculum guides for other master list titles.