About the Author

Priscilla Galloway has held many careers herself, such as garbage collector, cucumber farmer, scuba diver, professor, and writer. She has written over 20 books, including "The Courtesan's Daughter," "Truly Grimm Tales," which was named a "YALSA Best Book for Young Adults," "Too Young to Fight," which won the "Bologna Ragazzi Award for YA" non-fiction, and the "Tales of Ancient Lands" series.

Martha Newbigging is a graphic designer, film animator, web designer, and children's book illustrator. She is currently at work on an animated film.

Reviews

An anything-but-dull look at that time period... filled with cool cartoon-style illustrations and interesting sidebars.--Marcia Borucki"Chicago Tribune" (09/30/2003)

One to dip into again and again for a chuckle or a revelation.--Alison Chadsey"Victoria Times Colonist" (01/18/2004)

Packed with fascinating detail... this book is a real eye-opener that kids will love.--Krys Stefansky"Virginian-Pilot" (01/13/2004)

Priscilla Galloway and her illustrator, Martha Newbigging, have done an exceptional job with this book. Galloway's text combines wit with scholarship, and Newbigging's many whimsical, colored illustrations complement the text. Medieval life has often been seen as nasty, brutish, and short, slightly mixed with lashings of overdone Arthurian chivalry. However, Galloway quickly dispenses with this one-dimensional point of view, bringing us instead a picture of a well-organized and diverse social system, which at times, however, seems virtually incomprehensible to the modern mind. Highly Recommended.--Ian Stewart"Canadian Materials" (10/31/2003)

Witty, charming and packed with information... enjoyable read... will teach readers of any age much about Medieval culture.--Lucy Schall"VOYA" (02/01/2004)

Clear, chatty language and short descriptions along with lots of white space, large type, and cartoon illustrations make this an appealing book... A terrific supplement to Middle Ages units.--Anne Chapman"School Library Journal" (01/01/2004)

Not only an enjoyable read but also a useful reference book with many potential applications for role-playing, creative writing, and other research projects.

Brings the middle ages to life... accurate information presented with humor and wit.--Elizabeth Shaffer"BC Parent" (01/01/2004)

Clear, chatty language... an appealing book... A terrific supplement to Middle Ages units.--Anne Chapman"School Library Journal" (01/01/2004)

The jaunty, cartoonlike ink drawings, brightened with color washes, heighten the informal, upbeat tone of the informative text.--Carolyn Phelan"Booklist / RBB" (01/01/2004)

An enjoyable read... a useful reference book with many potential applications for role-playing, creative writing, and other research projects.

An anything-but-dull look at that time period... filled with cool cartoon-style illustrations and interesting sidebars.--Marcia Borucki"Chicago Tribune" (09/30/2003)
One to dip into again and again for a chuckle or a revelation.--Alison Chadsey"Victoria Times Colonist" (01/18/2004)
Packed with fascinating detail... this book is a real eye-opener that kids will love.--Krys Stefansky"Virginian-Pilot" (01/13/2004)
Priscilla Galloway and her illustrator, Martha Newbigging, have done an exceptional job with this book. Galloway's text combines wit with scholarship, and Newbigging's many whimsical, colored illustrations complement the text. Medieval life has often been seen as nasty, brutish, and short, slightly mixed with lashings of overdone Arthurian chivalry. However, Galloway quickly dispenses with this one-dimensional point of view, bringing us instead a picture of a well-organized and diverse social system, which at times, however, seems virtually incomprehensible to the modern mind. Highly Recommended.--Ian Stewart"Canadian Materials" (10/31/2003)
Witty, charming and packed with information... enjoyable read... will teach readers of any age much about Medieval culture.--Lucy Schall"VOYA" (02/01/2004)
Clear, chatty language and short descriptions along with lots of white space, large type, and cartoon illustrations make this an appealing book... A terrific supplement to Middle Ages units.--Anne Chapman"School Library Journal" (01/01/2004)
Not only an enjoyable read but also a useful reference book with many potential applications for role-playing, creative writing, and other research projects.
Brings the middle ages to life... accurate information presented with humor and wit.--Elizabeth Shaffer"BC Parent" (01/01/2004)
Clear, chatty language... an appealing book... A terrific supplement to Middle Ages units.--Anne Chapman"School Library Journal" (01/01/2004)
The jaunty, cartoonlike ink drawings, brightened with color washes, heighten the informal, upbeat tone of the informative text.--Carolyn Phelan"Booklist / RBB" (01/01/2004)
An enjoyable read... a useful reference book with many potential applications for role-playing, creative writing, and other research projects.