The Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric P. Kelly
Reviewed by JenniferRatings
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*Guest Post*
Christie H. is a high school English teacher currently pursuing her Master’s degree. She is the mother of 5, grandmother of 1 and a very dear friend. As part of her studies, she is enrolled in a course exploring Young Adult literature. Thanks Christi, for contributing to The Literate Mother.
Title: The Trumpeter of Krakow
Author: Eric P. Kelly
1929 Newbery Medal Winner
The Trumpeter of Krakow, set in medieval Poland, is the story of Joseph Charnetski, a 15 year old Ukarinan boy traveling to Krakow after his family’s home and lands in the Ukranie are destroyed. Joseph’s father Pan Andrew Charnetski is a nobleman-farmer and is related to the nobleman Pan Tenczynski of Krakow. Pan Andrew hopes to find and settle with his relative but learns that he has been killed by bandits within the city. Pan Andrew is carrying with him a great treasure that he has given an oath to return to the King of Poland. Pan Andrew, his wife and son Joseph find themselves homeless and friendless in a town filled with bandits, intrigue, and history. Through a variety of unusual events, the Charnetski’s find lodging and employment as the Trumpeter of Krakow, with particular help from the scholar-priest Jan Kanty and the Alchemist Pan Kreutz and his 15-year-old niece Elzbietka .
The treasure they are carrying is known to the Bandit Button-Face Peter. Through their cunning and loyalty to each other and their beloved Poland, Pan Andrew and Joseph endeavor to protect the King’s treasure and the city of Krakow.
The Trumpeter of Krakow is filled with adventure, and a deep nationalist loyalty that motivates all of the heroic characters. It is written in a rather formal style compared to recently published Young Adult Literature but the formality only adds to the nobility of the characters. The characters are inviting and provoke compassion and empathy. One particular element in the book is the alchemy discussed throughout and character discussions about the sorcerer’s stone and the Great Tarnov Crystal that allows whoever is holding it to see what they want most. Harry Potter buffs will recognize these story elements.