Spider's Voice by Gloria Skurzynski

Year Published: 1999
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780689821493
Pages: 200
Price: $ 13.25 (Library Bound)
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Romance, Adventure
Interest Level: 8-12
Reading Level: 6
Subjects: Abelard, Peter, Heloise, France history Medieval period, Mute persons, People with disabilities

Reader's Annotation: What if you witnessed a forbidden love of Eloise and Abelard, France's most famous lovers but you are mute? What if for some miracle you can speak, will you tell about their story?

Summary: The twelfth-century love story of Abelard and Heloise (here called Eloise) is the centerpiece of this young adult novel. Virgin lovers Abelard, a teacher and philosopher, and Eloise, the most educated woman in France, fall madly in love. Eloise becomes pregnant, and her uncle, in a fit of fury, castrates Abelard.Spider, a young mute, who is saved by Abelard after being mutilated by a man who sells human grotesques. Spider witnesses the love affair and the couple's struggle. Details of Spider's adventures as he roams the French countryside serving Abelard and trying to quell his own demons.

Evaluation: This historical fiction takes you to a journey behind the Medieval French romance that you will never forget. This story helps me to understand the Abelard-Eloise love story that French people value so much. Graphic description about the Abelard's castration as well as Spider's tongue accident.


Reviews and Awards: Wilson's Senior High School (10/01/00), School Library Journal starred (3/1/99). Publishers Weekly starred (1/18/99), Wilson's Junior High School (9/1/01), Books for the Teens NYPL (4/1/01), Kirkus Review starred (1/15/99), Voice of Youth Advocates VOYA (4/1/99)

Author Information: Gloria Skurzynski was born in Duquesne, Pennsylvania on July 6, 1930. She has five grown children, Jan and Lauren are engineers, Joni is a fashion designer, Serena is a doctor and Alane is a writer. The author is also known as Gloria Joan Flister Skurzynski.
Skurzynski is known for nonfiction on science and nature topics and for fiction, particularly the Mysteries in Our National Parks series. "Robots," "Get the Message" and "Zero Gravity" were Outstanding Trade Science Books. "Goodbye, Billy Radish" and "Tempering" were SLJ Best Books. "Manwolf" was a Notable Social Studies Trade Book. "Bionic Parts for People" was a Golden Kite Honor Book in 1979. "Tempering" was a Golden Kite Winner in 1982.

Author website: www.gloriabooks.com