THE EDGE ON THE SWORD

This is an outstanding introduction to Anglo-Saxon history for young readers. Emily Gray brings to life the young heroine, 15-year-old Aethelflaed, daughter of King Alfred, giving her a growing sense of self-assurance. As a girl in a man's world, she is taught to fight like a man and use her wit to make up for her small stature by her friend and bodyguard, Red. The story is based on a real girl who went on to become ruler in her own right. Listeners will enjoy Gray's smooth pronunciations of difficult names and places, as well as her ability to build tension and express the depths of emotion felt for each other by the two protagonists. D.G. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 02]