Avi is the author of more than seventy books for children and young adults, including the 2003 Newbery medal winner Crispin: The Cross of Lead. He has won two Newbery Honors and many other awards for his fiction. He lives with his family in Colorado. Visit him at Avi-Writer.com.
Browse Related Books
“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 . . . again makes the past vivid and personal in this relatively short, accessible book.”
– Booklist, July 1st, 2017
"Though few details exist about the boy’s actual life, the author builds a credible and compelling narrative around known events. . . . 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."
– School Library Journal, August 2017
“Replete with authentic period details, page-turning brief chapters, and a plot filled with twists, turns, and political intrigue. . . . An appealing protagonist pursuing a grand adventure and struggling with themes of power, pride, and identity will appeal to fans of historical fiction.”
– Kirkus Reviews, August 15, 2017
“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.”
– Publishers Weekly, August 7, 2017
“This brief, colorful moment in British history makes an engaging middle-grade novel, all the more so as it recounts what most readers will associate with a trope of wish-fulfillment fantasy—the orphan who learns he’s king—as a historical event. Avi tells the story through Lambert’s retrospective voice, with a direct, accessible narrative style, providing adequate historical detail without bogging the story down.”
– The Horn Book, November/ December 2017
* “It’s a juicy tale upon which to construct a work of historical fiction . . . deftly crafted for readers who care more about a rousing story than a history lesson, tossing them into the action without ever uttering “War of the Roses” . . . With a bit of judicious booktalking, this may be a title to entice new readers to historical fiction.”
– BCCB, Starred Review
“Swiftly moving and utterly engrossing. The Player King's real strength comes in the form of language . . . Avi tells a story that seems too outrageous to be true, but an author's note confirms it all happened. That—the fact behind the fiction—is what truly makes this book a worthy read.”
– Shelf Awareness, October 20, 2017
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
.
Watch your inbox for the Children Bookseller Newsletter
If you would like to receive the Children Bookseller email, please check below. Or visit our preference center to select the newsletter(s) you prefer.
