Raven Speak

Description

Asa is the daughter of a Viking chief whose clan is struggling to survive a never-ending winter. All the able-bodied men head to sea in search of food, leaving behind the children, the elderly, the sick-and Jorgen the skald, the wise man who will stop at nothing to take over the clan. When Asa learns the skald wants to kill and eat her beloved horse, she runs away. But then she meets a strange woman who talks to her two pet ravens, and who warns Asa she'll have to make a great sacrifice to save her clan. Now Asa must face the biggest challenge of her life in this eerie, absorbing adventure tale.

Diane Lee Wilson is the author of Black Storm Comin' (which won a Spur Award for Best Western Juvenile, was a Booklist Editors' Choice, a VOYA Top Shelf fiction pick, a Notable Social Studies book, a Bulletin Blue Ribbon book, and a Book Links Lasting Connection), Firehorse (which was a Booklist Top Ten Mystery/Suspense pick and an ALA Amelia Bloomer Project pick), Raven Speak, and Tracks. She lives in Escondido, California. Visit her online at DianeLeeWilson.com.

"Wilson's dramatic prose brings to life the harsh conditions of life along the wintry, rocky seashore, Rune's indomitable spirit and Asa's fierce determination. Classic storytelling."--Kirkus Reviews "Although the story takes place over just a few days, Asa matures tremendously, becoming someone capable of sacrificing greatly for the good of her people. Outside of some references to Odin and draugrs, not much places the story as explicitly "Viking," but the strength of the storytelling should keep readers rapt through the brutal but satisfying conclusion."--Publishers Weekly