Author Review: Cheyrl Carpinello

I remember when I was in the sixth grade and I took my first history class. It was Utah History back then, and it was taught by the meanest, orneriest teacher in the Middle School. I hated history from then on: World History, U.S. History, Utah History, you name it. If it had a history in it it was my least favorite class. Now a much older and wiser person I am a history junkie. I love Historical Fiction, Historical Biographies, and family history. Even so, I still recall my complete lack of interest back when I was 12 in anything that did not have something to do with my life, my world, and my current problems.

     In Cheyrl Carpinello’s intermediate novels The Kings Ransome,  and Guenivere, Carpinello has brought history to life in an exciting, interesting, and fun-filled way. Her character’s have real pre-teen problems. Pressures to perform, being misunderstood by adults, wanting to dream their own dreams but feeling the responsabilities of growing up pressing in on them.

 

This author uses accurate historical descriptions and vanacular but still manages to tell stories from the middle ages in a way kids can understand; not just comprehend but feel.

     “I liked the pages. Trying so hard to be squires. I want to be a knight but it sounds hard and the pages got to have so much fun.”

          Matthew- age 11

     “I cfelt so sorry for Guenivere, I have to worry about what to wear to school, not who I have to Marry, and she didn’t even get to choose.”

          Sarah, age 12

 

Through the real life adventures of these kids in a time my young reading friends could not imagine, they became interested in the legends of King Arthur and then history.

These stories are beautifully and vibrantly told. You can picture the Castle keep. The Knights on their horses and The witch in all her terrific horror. Guenivere’s chase of the rabbit through the castle, had the kids I read with laughing, and the wild man had them all so intrigued that when we had to stop for the day and wait to finish the next, the kids couldn’t wait to get back to the story.

Ms. Carpinello’s portrayal of the King Arthur legends was fast paced enough for even some younger readers.

     “I thought it would be boring without pictures, but after reading outloud I didn’t even notice.”

          Kaison, age 8

     “It was fun to read, and I like the princess.”

          Hannah, age 9

     It was so much fun to read and enjoy a bit of history from these novels point of view. Cheyrle Carpinello is great at mixing historical accuracy with interesting stories and great characters. To find out more about Cheyrl Carpinello's books go to: 

MuseItUp, Outskirts Press, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Ibookstore 

 

 

Although a retired teacher, Cheryl Carpinello still has a passion for working with kids. She regularly conducts Medieval Writing Workshops for local elementary/middle schools and the Colorado Girl Scouts. She is not the only one who loves Medieval Times and the King Arthur Legend. The kids thoroughly enjoy writing their own medieval stories complete with dragons, wizards, unicorns and knights!

She loves to travel and her other job is with a major airline. Her favorite trip was a two week visit to Egypt with her husband that included traveling by local train from one end of Egypt to the other.

Some of her favorite books include The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Once and Future King, and any by the duo Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.

You can find out more about Cheryl Carpinello, her books and World of Ink Author/Book Tour at http://tinyurl.com/ajka7zv

Follow Cheryl Carpinello at

Beyond today Educator http://www.beyondtodayeducator.com

Carpinello’s Writing Pages http://carpinelloswritingpages.blogspot.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccarpinello

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.carpinello1