Newbery Medal Winner

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village

by Laura Amy Schlitz

Summary

Laura Amy Schlitz brings a medieval English village to life through a series of monologues and dialogues spoken by its young residents, from a lord's daughter to a blacksmith's apprentice. Each voice reveals the daily labor, social rank, and small dramas of life in the year 1255. Written as performance pieces for the classroom, the collection pairs vivid characters with informative sidebars on medieval history.

Historical Context & Significance

Schlitz wrote the monologues for students at the school where she worked as a librarian so every child could have a speaking part.