Sir Morien: The Legend of a Knight of the Round Table

by Holly Black (Author) Ebony Glenn (Illustrator)

Sir Morien: The Legend of a Knight of the Round Table
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Full of humor, drama, and adventure, this retelling of a little-known figure of Arthurian Legend, co-written by friends Kaliis Smith and #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black, is perfect for any knight in training.

Prince Morien was brave and clever and true... The brave North African knight Morien is on a quest to find his father, who had set off on an adventure of his own and never returned. But every knight he meets wants to fight! At first, Morien is determined to best them all, until he meets some knights willing to quest with him. Together, they discover not only the importance of friendship, but also Morien's long-lost father!

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Hardcover
$18.99

Kirkus

A winsome adaptation of a lesser-known Arthurian legend. 

ALA/Booklist

It is in the friendship, and friendly banter, of Lancelot and Gawain that Morien finds his lasting place and happy ending.

Publishers Weekly

This mythical retelling from Black (Doll Bones) and Smith (Finger and Thumb, for adults), a double authorial picture book debut, has all the jaunty verve of a contemporary Disney animated feature. Crisp, saturated digital art by Glenn (Flying High) portrays Sir Morien as both hunky and heroic. He lives in northern Africa with his princess mother, and the two take up the questing life: "They tamed a dragon in Timbuktu. They surfed with crocodiles on the Nile and vanquished every last vegetable on the dinner table." Journeying to England to track down his father, Morien's search comes up short. He finds "Nada. Zip. Zilch" in the way of filial leads, defeats everyone he encounters, misses his mom, and hates the local food. But an initially hostile Welsh countryside meetup with Sir Gawain and Sir Lancelot turns salutatory: recognizing they are equals in battle, they become "a great questing team," together rescuing both Morien's dad and King Arthur from a castle prison. The story moves at a gallop and understands readers' budding sense of irreverence: "NO ONE BEAT ANYONE," says an exasperated Gawain after yet another squabbling among the pals. "IT WAS A TIE." Sir Morien and his mother are portrayed with brown skin; the remaining knights are pale-skinned. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)

Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes



Holly Black
Holly Black is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over thirty fantasy novels for kids, teens, and adults. She has been a finalist for an Eisner and a Lodestar Award, and the recipient of the Mythopoeic Award, a Nebula, and a Newbery Honor. Her books have been translated into 32 languages worldwide and adapted for film. She currently lives in New England with her husband and son in a house with a secret library. Sir Morien is her first picture book.

Kaliis Smith is a poet originally from Boston. After graduating from Kenyon College, she released her book Finger and Thumb from Salt Publishing. She currently lives in Western Massachusetts.

Ebony Glenn is an Atlanta-based illustrator of numerous books for young readers, including Mommy's Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins Bigelow, Cats Can by Roseanne Greenfield-Thong, and Flying High: The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles by Michelle Meadows. She has a passion for the arts, great storytelling, and advocating for more diverse narratives in children's books. Visit ebonyglenn.com and follow her on Instagram @artsyebby.

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780316424134
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Little Brown and Company
Publication date
October 24, 2023
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV001000 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure
JUV013060 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Parents
JUV012040 - Juvenile Fiction | Fairy Tales & Folklore | Adaptations
JUV022010 - Juvenile Fiction | Legends, Myths, & Fables | Arthurian
Library of Congress categories
Picture books
Folklore
England
Knights and knighthood
Arthur, King
Arthurian romances
Morien

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