The Player King

Grades 4-7. In 1486, Oxford, England, a lad named Lambert works, sleeps, and lives at Tackley’s Tavern. A friar lifts him out of hunger and poverty in exchange for his learning to play the role of the Earl of Warwick (heir of Richard III) not on stage, but in earnest. He agrees and subsequently rallies others to rise up against King Henry VII in order to place himself on the throne. It’s a fool’s game, since others are plotting to kill the young pretender once the Tudors are overthrown. Can he win the kingdom or, failing that, his life? Told from Lambert’s point of view, the first-person narrative effectively avoids the complicated political backstory and focuses on the boy’s experiences as he learns the unfamiliar speech, manners, and knowledge and plays his part. Avi, whose Newbery Award-winning Crispin (2002) was set in fourteenth-century England, again makes the past vivid and personal in this relatively short, accessible book. An author’s note reveals what is known of the actual Lambert Simnel, whose story inspired the novel.

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From prolific, Newbery winner Avi, a novel set in the Middle Ages that is replete with authentic period details, page-turning brief chapters, and a plot filled with twists, turns, and political intrigue.Avi expands on the historical footnote of an unnamed boy who challenged the kingship of Henry VII, was crowned briefly in Ireland, then led an army to England where he was soundly defeated. Lambert Simnel is a young orphan of unknown age who works and lives in a tavern where he is treated cruelly. A friar with his own selfish motives sees Lambert, purchases him, and schools him in the rules of behavior in order to pass him off as the previous king’s nephew, supposedly escaped from imprisonment. The first-person narration adds immediacy to Lambert’s fears and confusion. Having previously watched street actors, Lambert determines his best chance is to be a convincing player king, perpetuating the sham and nearly convincing himself. Although Lambert rises from a “loathed nobody” who spent “his life in a cellar, like a rotten turnip,” his fortune rapidly plummets. Touches of humor, brought about by both Lambert’s need for spiffing up and a colorful vocabulary (“gundy-gut,” “bootlicker,” “want-wit”), are sprinkled throughout. Unsurprisingly, the cast is an all-white one. An appealing protagonist pursuing a grand adventure and struggling with themes of power, pride, and identity will appeal to fans of historical fiction. (Historical fiction. 9-12)

Copyright 2017 Kirkus Reviews, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 5-8--Avi's latest historical fiction novel introduces Lambert Simnel, the boy who falsely claimed to be the rightful king of England and led a failed rebellion in 1487. Though few details exist about the boy's actual life, the author builds a credible and compelling narrative around known events. Lambert tells his own story, which starts when an ambitious friar notices his resemblance to young Prince Edward and schemes to pass him off as heir to the crown. The boy is initially mystified by the friar's interest, and once he learns about the plot to make him king, Lambert's first thoughts are of escape. He reluctantly learns courtly manners and royal history.Gradually, he becomes resigned, and at times hopeful, about the bold plan. Lambert soon acts and speaks as if he really is the true heir, admitting the truth only to the reader and finally to the rightful king. As the former kitchen boy gains knowledge and confidence, he realizes that he must be more than an obedient pawn if he wants to survive, even turning the tables on the friar who trained him. He never gains true power, though, and the army that gathers around him is easily defeated by the forces of King Henry VII. By the end, readers have seen the hopelessness of Lambert's adventure, but respect his efforts to find ways to understand and control his own fate. VERDICT An interesting slice of history told by an engaging and believable protagonist. Hand to fans of the author, young Tudor enthusiasts, and readers who enjoy medieval-set fiction.--Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR

Once again, Avi (The Unexpected Life of Oliver Cromwell Pitts) whisks readers back in time to witness the adventures of a boy in danger. It's 1486 in Oxford, England, where orphan Lambert Simnel works long hours as a tavern scullion. His dismal fate changes overnight when he is purchased by a Dominican priest, who claims that Limbert is the rightful heir to King Richard's throne, which has been usurped by King Henry VII. The friar's goal is to return the boy to his "rightful" position, but first Lambert--now called Edward, Earl of Warwick--must learn how to be a king. Based on historical fact, the novel strongly depicts Lambert's emotions: his initial confusion, his growing excitement over the prospect of gaining wealth and power (although he knows he has no true claim to the throne), and his fear when he realizes that he is being used as a pawn in a deadly game. Avi's short, accessible chapters and candid first-person narration create suspense and strongly evoke the political climate of the era, revealing an odd, mysterious chapter in England's history. Ages 8-12. (Oct.)