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A Plague of Unicorns
Young James, an earl’s son, is a bit bothersome and always asking the oddest questions. Desperate, his mother sends him off to be educated at Cranford Abbey, hoping the strict regimen will do him a world of good. But Cranford Abbey has been falling into disrepair. The newly appointed Abbot Aelian takes it upon himself to save the abbey with the use of his secret weapon: a recipe for golden apple cider passed down in his family for many generations. Abbot Aelian has everything he needs—almost. One obstacle stands in his way: unicorns that happen to feast specifically on the golden apples. Abbot Aelian and his monks try to form a battalion to fight off the beasts; next they import heroes to fight for them. But the heroes run off, monks are injured, and a herd of ravenous unicorns continue munching. James, however, knows a small hero who possesses the skill to tame the beasts. It is up to James to convince the reluctant abbot, and not only save Cranford Abbey but hopefully find a way to return home.
192 pages, Paperback
First published December 23, 2014
15 people are currently reading
528 people want to read
About the author
Jane Yolen
972 books3,238 followersJane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
December 31, 2014
This story reminded me a lot of fairy-tale inspired books that I read as a child. It's clever, not at all condescending, and has an old-fashioned charm - mixed with a few modern twists.
The monks of a certain monastery have long been resigned to the fact that once every year, they're visited by a migrating herd of unicorns that ravenously chomp up all their golden apples. After all, they've got plenty of red and green apples to use for snacking and baking.
However, when a new abbot arrives, with a special recipe for making cider from golden apples, he's determined that things will change. Heroic (literally) efforts are expended toward saving the apples from the pesky unicorns - all in vain.
Meanwhile an annoyingly curious young ducal heir has used up nearly all the patience the residents of his family's castle have to spare. His older sister, Alexandria, is the only one who still bothers to answer his incessant questions. When he's sent to study at the monastery, a solution to the plague of unicorns may finally present itself...
The short novel is a quick read. It's aimed at middle-grade readers, but I felt that the writing style and the humor is such that it will be enjoyed equally by fantasy and fairy tale fans of all ages.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Zonderkids for the opportunity to read this book. As always, my opinions are solely my own.
The monks of a certain monastery have long been resigned to the fact that once every year, they're visited by a migrating herd of unicorns that ravenously chomp up all their golden apples. After all, they've got plenty of red and green apples to use for snacking and baking.
However, when a new abbot arrives, with a special recipe for making cider from golden apples, he's determined that things will change. Heroic (literally) efforts are expended toward saving the apples from the pesky unicorns - all in vain.
Meanwhile an annoyingly curious young ducal heir has used up nearly all the patience the residents of his family's castle have to spare. His older sister, Alexandria, is the only one who still bothers to answer his incessant questions. When he's sent to study at the monastery, a solution to the plague of unicorns may finally present itself...
The short novel is a quick read. It's aimed at middle-grade readers, but I felt that the writing style and the humor is such that it will be enjoyed equally by fantasy and fairy tale fans of all ages.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Zonderkids for the opportunity to read this book. As always, my opinions are solely my own.
April 2, 2016
For me, the supersmart female hero travelling around practising restorative justice enters the story too late. More of her please! Also, why are the heroes from far and wide all white?
I quite liked that the unicorns are treated as wild animals with magic abilities that are generally none of humans’ business, and I appreciate that there aren’t any prominent evil villains, just ordinary greed, laziness, naivity and impatience, and that servants, guards etc get a few good lines, inner lives, opinions and so on. The narrative allows a critical view of patriarchal feudal society.
Still, I much preferred Jane Yolen’s story Moon Ribbon in Don't Bet on the Prince: Contemporary Feminist Fairy Tales in North America and England
I quite liked that the unicorns are treated as wild animals with magic abilities that are generally none of humans’ business, and I appreciate that there aren’t any prominent evil villains, just ordinary greed, laziness, naivity and impatience, and that servants, guards etc get a few good lines, inner lives, opinions and so on. The narrative allows a critical view of patriarchal feudal society.
Still, I much preferred Jane Yolen’s story Moon Ribbon in Don't Bet on the Prince: Contemporary Feminist Fairy Tales in North America and England
January 2, 2019
When a herd of unicorns attack the abbey's apple orchards and eat all of the golden apples, the Abbott and monks are at a loss at what to do after all the people they hire to get rid of them turn tail and run away like cowards. It is only when a young boy named James who is the duke's son arrives that he asked for the hero Sandy for help. Will she do it or is the abbey doomed? Read on and find out for yourself.
This was a pretty good YA Christian fantasy about trusting in God, having perseverance and more. Definitely check this out if you love unicorn stories. It is available to get on Amazon and at Christian bookstores everywhere.
This was a pretty good YA Christian fantasy about trusting in God, having perseverance and more. Definitely check this out if you love unicorn stories. It is available to get on Amazon and at Christian bookstores everywhere.
August 2, 2017
A plague of apple-eating unicorns forces a monastery to seek outside help. This is a historical pastiche, a coming-of-age, a fairy tale, slipping lithely between categories with no great depth or sense of investment. But the combined effect is charming. It has a playful, irreverent tone which does much to demystify unicorns, and then an evocative, beautifully imagined climax which puts the magic back in; sweet, accessible, but with satisfying payoff. I'm pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this, and would be interested in reading more of Yolen's middle grade fiction.
(The illustrations are adequate; decent atmosphere, but the technical skill leaves something to be desired. I don't find that they added anything substantial to the text, but they may work better for younger readers.)
(The illustrations are adequate; decent atmosphere, but the technical skill leaves something to be desired. I don't find that they added anything substantial to the text, but they may work better for younger readers.)
June 30, 2018
About this book:
“It never was a fair fight.
Young James, the duke’s son, asks too many questions. At least that’s what everyone at Callander Castle thinks after all but the last of his tutors quit and his uncle ships him off to be educated at Cranford Abbey. Unfortunately, the once-beautiful abbey has problems of its own, including cracked walls, a leaking roof, and shattered stained glass windows. Not to mention the pesky herd of unicorns that continues to enter the abbey’s orchards and claim them as their own.
The only hope to save the abbey, it seems, is money raised by Abbot Aelian’s golden apple cider, made from a recipe passed down in his family for generations. But that means getting rid of the orchard’s unwelcome visitors. And as everyone knows, unicorns have very sharp horns. Monks do not.
James has an idea that could help defeat these hungry beasts, but first must find someone to listen to him. For once, he might be the only one asking the right questions. And the only one who knows the perfect hero for the job.”
Series: It is a stand-alone as of now.
Spiritual Content- Abbots, monks and priests; Mentions of those in the Bible; Mentions of prayers & praying; The golden apples are called Hosanna golden apples because the first abbot said “Hosanna!” when he saw them; A mention of a painting of unicorns being in Eden; The monks believe that the unicorn is “thought to be the animal avatar of the Christ”; Mentions of being in the Saviour’s footsteps; James asks “Did Lucifer hurt anyone when he fell to earth?” and other questions about heaven;
*Note: A mention or two of magic, wizardry and incantation; When James sees something he doesn’t recognize “Or perhaps it’s the Wild Hunt headed by Herne the Hunter, who goes racing through the forest hunting down the souls of the damned, the Hound of Hell, baying at his horse’s feet.”; a unicorn is called a “horned imp of Satan!”.
Negative Content- A mention or two of a unicorn’s sharp horn & them piercing monks; A mention that “”Apple pudding” was something frightened children did in their pants.”.
Sexual Content- On the topic of women in the abbey: “And a maiden—as any fool could tell you—is never allowed in a monastery or on monastery lands. No girls. None. Never. It’s an absolute rule.”; James asks where babies come from (no one really answers but there are mumbles about a stork or a cabbage patch, which James doesn’t buy), James then wonders if the monks would know.
-James, age 9
P.O.V. of James with the first three chapters in a story-telling way
Set in the 1600s (I’m guessing on this)
368 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Four Stars
New Teens- Four Stars (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Four Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
“A Plague of Unicorns” was aimed for a much younger audience then I normally read (it even had pictures/illustrations!) but I really enjoyed it! I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but I thought I would give it a try. It was so cute! I really liked James’ personality and though the writing style was different, I liked it too!
“”If I didn’t ask questions, how would I know when I had the wrong answers?””
We like how you think, James. ;)
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Zonderkidz) for this review.
“It never was a fair fight.
Young James, the duke’s son, asks too many questions. At least that’s what everyone at Callander Castle thinks after all but the last of his tutors quit and his uncle ships him off to be educated at Cranford Abbey. Unfortunately, the once-beautiful abbey has problems of its own, including cracked walls, a leaking roof, and shattered stained glass windows. Not to mention the pesky herd of unicorns that continues to enter the abbey’s orchards and claim them as their own.
The only hope to save the abbey, it seems, is money raised by Abbot Aelian’s golden apple cider, made from a recipe passed down in his family for generations. But that means getting rid of the orchard’s unwelcome visitors. And as everyone knows, unicorns have very sharp horns. Monks do not.
James has an idea that could help defeat these hungry beasts, but first must find someone to listen to him. For once, he might be the only one asking the right questions. And the only one who knows the perfect hero for the job.”
Series: It is a stand-alone as of now.
Spiritual Content- Abbots, monks and priests; Mentions of those in the Bible; Mentions of prayers & praying; The golden apples are called Hosanna golden apples because the first abbot said “Hosanna!” when he saw them; A mention of a painting of unicorns being in Eden; The monks believe that the unicorn is “thought to be the animal avatar of the Christ”; Mentions of being in the Saviour’s footsteps; James asks “Did Lucifer hurt anyone when he fell to earth?” and other questions about heaven;
*Note: A mention or two of magic, wizardry and incantation; When James sees something he doesn’t recognize “Or perhaps it’s the Wild Hunt headed by Herne the Hunter, who goes racing through the forest hunting down the souls of the damned, the Hound of Hell, baying at his horse’s feet.”; a unicorn is called a “horned imp of Satan!”.
Negative Content- A mention or two of a unicorn’s sharp horn & them piercing monks; A mention that “”Apple pudding” was something frightened children did in their pants.”.
Sexual Content- On the topic of women in the abbey: “And a maiden—as any fool could tell you—is never allowed in a monastery or on monastery lands. No girls. None. Never. It’s an absolute rule.”; James asks where babies come from (no one really answers but there are mumbles about a stork or a cabbage patch, which James doesn’t buy), James then wonders if the monks would know.
-James, age 9
P.O.V. of James with the first three chapters in a story-telling way
Set in the 1600s (I’m guessing on this)
368 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Four Stars
New Teens- Four Stars (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Four Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
“A Plague of Unicorns” was aimed for a much younger audience then I normally read (it even had pictures/illustrations!) but I really enjoyed it! I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but I thought I would give it a try. It was so cute! I really liked James’ personality and though the writing style was different, I liked it too!
“”If I didn’t ask questions, how would I know when I had the wrong answers?””
We like how you think, James. ;)
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Zonderkidz) for this review.
December 18, 2014
Title: A PLAGUE OF UNICORNS
Author: Jane Yolan
Publisher: Zonderkidz
December 2014
ISBN: 978-0310746485
Genre: Tweener
Young James, an earl’s son, is a bit bothersome and always asking the oddest questions. In despair—the last of James’ tutors having quit—his mother sends him off to be educated at Cranford Abbey. She feels the strict regimen will do him a world of good.
But Cranford Abbey has its own problems. It has been falling into disrepair. The newly appointed Abbot Aelian takes it upon himself to save the abbey with the use of his secret weapon: a recipe for golden apple cider passed down in his family for many generations. He believes that by making and selling the cider, the monks will raise necessary funds to restore the abbey to its former glory. Abbot Aelian has everything he needs—almost.
One obstacle stands in his way, unicorns that happen to feast specifically on the golden apples. Abbot Aelian and his men must fight off the unicorns to make the cider. He and the monks try to form a battalion to fight off the beasts; next they import heroes to fight for them. But the heroes run off, monks are injured, and a herd of ravenous unicorns continue munching. After no success, the abbot finally calls upon the most unlikely of heroes, one suggested by no other than young James. That hero is small and unprepossessing but possesses the skill to tame the beasts. Though wildly skeptical, Abbot Aelian must risk everything and believe in this recommended stranger or risk the fall of Cranford Abbey.
A PLAGUE OF UNICORNS is rather short but I liked it. I give it five stars. It held my interest all the way through and I couldn’t put it down. I read it in a few hours. I recommend this books for kids that are slow readers because its really short for avid readers.
For ages 8 – 12. 192 pages. Hardcover and ebook.
v
Author: Jane Yolan
Publisher: Zonderkidz
December 2014
ISBN: 978-0310746485
Genre: Tweener
Young James, an earl’s son, is a bit bothersome and always asking the oddest questions. In despair—the last of James’ tutors having quit—his mother sends him off to be educated at Cranford Abbey. She feels the strict regimen will do him a world of good.
But Cranford Abbey has its own problems. It has been falling into disrepair. The newly appointed Abbot Aelian takes it upon himself to save the abbey with the use of his secret weapon: a recipe for golden apple cider passed down in his family for many generations. He believes that by making and selling the cider, the monks will raise necessary funds to restore the abbey to its former glory. Abbot Aelian has everything he needs—almost.
One obstacle stands in his way, unicorns that happen to feast specifically on the golden apples. Abbot Aelian and his men must fight off the unicorns to make the cider. He and the monks try to form a battalion to fight off the beasts; next they import heroes to fight for them. But the heroes run off, monks are injured, and a herd of ravenous unicorns continue munching. After no success, the abbot finally calls upon the most unlikely of heroes, one suggested by no other than young James. That hero is small and unprepossessing but possesses the skill to tame the beasts. Though wildly skeptical, Abbot Aelian must risk everything and believe in this recommended stranger or risk the fall of Cranford Abbey.
A PLAGUE OF UNICORNS is rather short but I liked it. I give it five stars. It held my interest all the way through and I couldn’t put it down. I read it in a few hours. I recommend this books for kids that are slow readers because its really short for avid readers.
For ages 8 – 12. 192 pages. Hardcover and ebook.
v
January 15, 2015
This review is also posted on Book by Book.
Jane Yolen’s A Plague of Unicorns is a wonderfully cute adventure for all ages, and I, for one, really enjoyed it. Regularly overrun by a fantastical and problematic horde of unicorns, an abbey desperately needs to find a solution - and unexpectedly, the young son of a duke knows what to do. This character, James, is highly entertaining with his overwhelming amount of ridiculous yet clever questions - I found myself actually laughing out loud on more than one occasion. A Plague of Unicorns is a story that will certainly please young readers searching for a quirky adventure, but I would not hesitate to recommend it to any reader who enjoys the genre, looking for a fun and quick read.
Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of A Plague of Unicorns and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)
Jane Yolen’s A Plague of Unicorns is a wonderfully cute adventure for all ages, and I, for one, really enjoyed it. Regularly overrun by a fantastical and problematic horde of unicorns, an abbey desperately needs to find a solution - and unexpectedly, the young son of a duke knows what to do. This character, James, is highly entertaining with his overwhelming amount of ridiculous yet clever questions - I found myself actually laughing out loud on more than one occasion. A Plague of Unicorns is a story that will certainly please young readers searching for a quirky adventure, but I would not hesitate to recommend it to any reader who enjoys the genre, looking for a fun and quick read.
Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of A Plague of Unicorns and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)
June 12, 2017
Agreeing with another GR reviewer who called this "cute but lightweight." While it's well-written, the story is pretty predictable, and overall it feels too much like a short story expanded to book length -- which is exactly what it is, of course, but in this case it just feels like a cute, gently funny story that's been padded too much beyond its natural length and suffers for it. All in all, a nice diversion, but not something I'd ever bother to re-read.
April 23, 2015
I loved the simply, fairy-tale quality of the story. I wasn't surprised, but the journey into learning, and discovering answers to your own questions was beautiful. I always enjoy Yolen's mastery of language, that brings beauty to imagined worlds.
August 25, 2016
A cute but lightweight story. It would probably appeal to the younger end of the middle-grade spectrum. Around age 9-10, perhaps.
I really enjoyed the illustrations.
I really enjoyed the illustrations.
March 23, 2018
As much as it pains me to give fewer than 3 stars to anything by Jane Yolen, I must in this case. The pacing was jagged and disorienting, sometimes lingering on every detail of a situation and then rushing past whole days or weeks. The main character felt 2-dimensional up until the very end. And I was very disoriented by an early-medieval setting in which anachronistic details (Picts, Geordie as a regional nickname, John Dee, etc.) were dropped in without explanation. It feels like something written for a deadline one's been avoiding for weeks.
December 30, 2019
Little brother conspires with big sister to save golden apples and rid abbey of unicorns.
May 10, 2024
I read this to my kids.
August 3, 2023
I’ve never met a book by Jane Yolen I didn’t enjoy, but this book is probably in my top ten. It’s a sweet, easy read with a wonderful ending. Yolen masterfully weaves together the castle and the abbey’s story, carefully crafting a wonderful cast of characters, and portraying great growth and discovery along the way. This book is intended for young readers, but I picked it up for myself as light bedtime reading instead. If you’re looking for a good story I highly recommend this lovely book.
4.5 stars. Maybe 5. The ending was sheer perfection.
4.5 stars. Maybe 5. The ending was sheer perfection.
January 28, 2015
I have a copy of this book courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
This is a delightful, new fairy tale by author Jane Yolen, full of medieval castles and abbeys, knights and monks, bravery and foolery, and of course, a plague of unicorns. There is a lot of solid reality surrounding the tale about mythical creatures. From the castle, we have a young heir, James, whose father went off to the crusades and is feared dead. James has thousands of questions and few people who will help him find the answers; only his older sister, Alexandria, takes the time to encourage his curiosity. His uncle, in his father's absence, decides it's time he should go to the abbey for his education, in case he is already now the duke. In the abbey is a new abbot, Abbot Aelian, who hopes to revitalize the abbey by making cider from the special golden apples (Hallelujah apples) that the herd of unicorns likes the best. He reads up on unicorns and tries numerous ways to rid the orchard of the magical but nuisance beasts. Nothing works. And then James arrives. James is determined to do his duty as he perceives it, and his valour and home-sickness give birth to a plan.
This story is a treasure trove of medieval information but woven into the telling in a captivating way: we learn about abbey life and castle life, tapestries and weaponry, calligraphy and illuminations, and all in a fast-paced story sure to captivate the imagination of young children. There's lots of humour as young James drives everyone in the castle crazy with his questions and causes tutor after tutor to leave in despair. Likely heroes arrive at the abbey to rid it of its plague, only to leave in a hurry, defeated. Great bedtime story a chapter at a time, or for a young reader just beginning to read longer stories or short novels. I have a hard-cover copy which has excellent illustrations.
This is a delightful, new fairy tale by author Jane Yolen, full of medieval castles and abbeys, knights and monks, bravery and foolery, and of course, a plague of unicorns. There is a lot of solid reality surrounding the tale about mythical creatures. From the castle, we have a young heir, James, whose father went off to the crusades and is feared dead. James has thousands of questions and few people who will help him find the answers; only his older sister, Alexandria, takes the time to encourage his curiosity. His uncle, in his father's absence, decides it's time he should go to the abbey for his education, in case he is already now the duke. In the abbey is a new abbot, Abbot Aelian, who hopes to revitalize the abbey by making cider from the special golden apples (Hallelujah apples) that the herd of unicorns likes the best. He reads up on unicorns and tries numerous ways to rid the orchard of the magical but nuisance beasts. Nothing works. And then James arrives. James is determined to do his duty as he perceives it, and his valour and home-sickness give birth to a plan.
This story is a treasure trove of medieval information but woven into the telling in a captivating way: we learn about abbey life and castle life, tapestries and weaponry, calligraphy and illuminations, and all in a fast-paced story sure to captivate the imagination of young children. There's lots of humour as young James drives everyone in the castle crazy with his questions and causes tutor after tutor to leave in despair. Likely heroes arrive at the abbey to rid it of its plague, only to leave in a hurry, defeated. Great bedtime story a chapter at a time, or for a young reader just beginning to read longer stories or short novels. I have a hard-cover copy which has excellent illustrations.
August 22, 2015
This is another example of Junior Fiction from my library. Wonderful book and it has some great illustrations. Any child would love to read this book or have it read to them by an adult. James is always asking question and driving people crazy. His father is off on a crusade and his uncle is in charge. His uncle decides to send James to the Abbey for some schooling. While there James helps the Abbey with it's problem of the Unicorns. I don't want to say how James does this as it will give the ending away. So if you want to read a book that is mysterious and funny this is differently the one.
December 31, 2014
Why so short? I wanted more!
The title may make readers think this is a girls book, but wrong - boys will enjoy this just as much (I know, I tested it on one). James' curiosity, and people's reactions to it, will resonate with them. And the Knight he calls on to help save the Abbey from the unicorn plague? Pretty clever.
More on life in he Abbey, more on James, just more... please!
ARC provided by publisher.
The title may make readers think this is a girls book, but wrong - boys will enjoy this just as much (I know, I tested it on one). James' curiosity, and people's reactions to it, will resonate with them. And the Knight he calls on to help save the Abbey from the unicorn plague? Pretty clever.
More on life in he Abbey, more on James, just more... please!
ARC provided by publisher.
May 4, 2015
I loved the magic, mystery, and innocence of this book. I was a little confused at the background story in the beginning, but once I met Young James and his family further in, I understood the timeline and the reason for it. As an adult I would have loved to learn more about the unicorns and more about how the "plague" was tamed (and the Unicorn-tamer, too), yet I liked the mystery around that particular character. IN all, I think this is a good read for children who enjoy fantasy.
April 23, 2015
2.5
Promising start, but too short and too undeveloped.
Promising start, but too short and too undeveloped.
April 2, 2016
A nice children's chapter book. Lovely illustrations and a vocabulary to be pleased with.
April 10, 2017
Cute middle-grade, but not the kind of middle-grade adults will get much out of.
November 29, 2018
Reading Level- 6.2
Guided Reading Level- 6.5
This book shares a story of James and his attempt to save his school, Cranford Abbey. Cranford Abbey has structural issues, but more importantly, unicorns have been claiming the school's orchards as their own. James must come up with a plan to save the orchard from the herd of unicorns.
This book is a piece of modern fantasy. The book includes fictional and fantasized events, such as unicorns taking over an orchard and a hero singing to the unicorns and leading them away.
Writing Trait:
Sentence Fluency- This book contains effective and well-constructed sentences. The sentences vary in length and patterns and provide details in order to aid reader comprehension. The author uses effective punctuation, phrases, and conjunctions in order to create fluent sentences.
Classroom Integration/Mentor Text:
This text can be used as a mentor text in a late elementary or early middle school classroom. Students can study the sentence structure of the text in order to have a model to base their own sentences off of. Students can also use this text in order to open their minds to creative writing that incorporates fantasized events. For writing practice, students can use A Plague of Unicorns to help create a short story consisting of fluent sentences and creative ideas.
Guided Reading Level- 6.5
This book shares a story of James and his attempt to save his school, Cranford Abbey. Cranford Abbey has structural issues, but more importantly, unicorns have been claiming the school's orchards as their own. James must come up with a plan to save the orchard from the herd of unicorns.
This book is a piece of modern fantasy. The book includes fictional and fantasized events, such as unicorns taking over an orchard and a hero singing to the unicorns and leading them away.
Writing Trait:
Sentence Fluency- This book contains effective and well-constructed sentences. The sentences vary in length and patterns and provide details in order to aid reader comprehension. The author uses effective punctuation, phrases, and conjunctions in order to create fluent sentences.
Classroom Integration/Mentor Text:
This text can be used as a mentor text in a late elementary or early middle school classroom. Students can study the sentence structure of the text in order to have a model to base their own sentences off of. Students can also use this text in order to open their minds to creative writing that incorporates fantasized events. For writing practice, students can use A Plague of Unicorns to help create a short story consisting of fluent sentences and creative ideas.
December 10, 2016
Ahoy there me mateys! A combination of Jane Yolen and unicorns with a title like that! How could I resist. And what an odd little tale it was.
Unicorns in this are magical wild tricky animals that like golden apples. The monks need the golden apples to make cider to sell to repair the abbey. But the unicorns are winning! Nothing the monks do seems to work. Even heroes are having problems. Then young James, the duke's son, is sent to the abbey to study. Might he have the answer?
I loved the monastery and James and the monks. The world Yolen portrays is fun with elements of silliness. The character of James and the atmosphere at the abbey are what I loved about the book. The unicorns almost seem like an afterthought in a good way. Which is crazy but awesome.
This short novel (192 pages) is supposedly for middle grade readers. Bah! I loved it and the clever twists on classic fairy tale themes. Plus is has beautiful illustrations. Lots of reviews seem to recommend it for boys only! Bah! Girls can and certainly should read this one too. James' older sister is awesome.
Loved it!
This review was originally posted on https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordp...
Unicorns in this are magical wild tricky animals that like golden apples. The monks need the golden apples to make cider to sell to repair the abbey. But the unicorns are winning! Nothing the monks do seems to work. Even heroes are having problems. Then young James, the duke's son, is sent to the abbey to study. Might he have the answer?
I loved the monastery and James and the monks. The world Yolen portrays is fun with elements of silliness. The character of James and the atmosphere at the abbey are what I loved about the book. The unicorns almost seem like an afterthought in a good way. Which is crazy but awesome.
This short novel (192 pages) is supposedly for middle grade readers. Bah! I loved it and the clever twists on classic fairy tale themes. Plus is has beautiful illustrations. Lots of reviews seem to recommend it for boys only! Bah! Girls can and certainly should read this one too. James' older sister is awesome.
Loved it!
This review was originally posted on https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordp...
November 12, 2025
Sweet relationship between brother and sister
The abbey is plagued by a herd of unicorns, but no hero can solve the problem. James is the almost-9-year-old son of the duke who never stops asking questions. His older sister is the only one who patiently answers his questions or helps him look up the answers. Because James and his sister Alexandria have read different books together, when James is at the abbey for education, he thinks about ways to remove the unicorns.
I like the relationship between the brother and sister. I like that Alexandria is portrayed as brave and caring. I like that James is curious about everything. It is a fun and easy-to-read children’s book. I think it is fun that it had a tiny bit of Latin; I always liked getting unusual vocabulary or foreign phrases in books as a child.
The abbey is plagued by a herd of unicorns, but no hero can solve the problem. James is the almost-9-year-old son of the duke who never stops asking questions. His older sister is the only one who patiently answers his questions or helps him look up the answers. Because James and his sister Alexandria have read different books together, when James is at the abbey for education, he thinks about ways to remove the unicorns.
I like the relationship between the brother and sister. I like that Alexandria is portrayed as brave and caring. I like that James is curious about everything. It is a fun and easy-to-read children’s book. I think it is fun that it had a tiny bit of Latin; I always liked getting unusual vocabulary or foreign phrases in books as a child.
October 4, 2017
A Plague of Unicorns
Jane Yolen
~fantasy, children's, historical, unicorns, abbey, duke's son, hero in disguise
The abbey is old and in need of repair. The sale of cider made from apples in the abbey's orchard could save it. But the herd of unicorns eats all of them every year. And nothing they do - from traps to calling all heroes - seems able to stop them.
The duke's son, James, is young and incessantly questions everything. Typical kid, yes? He is sent off to the abbey for an education - and so his family can have a break from his queries.
James has an idea that just might work - but he'll need to get people to listen. And he may have to be a little ...disingenuous.
Fun little story!
Jane Yolen
~fantasy, children's, historical, unicorns, abbey, duke's son, hero in disguise
The abbey is old and in need of repair. The sale of cider made from apples in the abbey's orchard could save it. But the herd of unicorns eats all of them every year. And nothing they do - from traps to calling all heroes - seems able to stop them.
The duke's son, James, is young and incessantly questions everything. Typical kid, yes? He is sent off to the abbey for an education - and so his family can have a break from his queries.
James has an idea that just might work - but he'll need to get people to listen. And he may have to be a little ...disingenuous.
Fun little story!
October 5, 2020
Charming coming of age tale in which a young boy’s personal hero saves the day.
I’m not certain why they didn’t just pick apples while the unicorns were digesting and defecating, but if they did then we wouldn’t have a story.
I’m not certain why they didn’t just pick apples while the unicorns were digesting and defecating, but if they did then we wouldn’t have a story.
December 14, 2024
Monks versus unicorns.
Jason was puzzled I wasn't keeping this one. It's got unicorns! It was written by Jane Yolen! It was Nice, but I'm never going to read it again, so off to the Little Free Library next door it goes.
Jason was puzzled I wasn't keeping this one. It's got unicorns! It was written by Jane Yolen! It was Nice, but I'm never going to read it again, so off to the Little Free Library next door it goes.
April 16, 2018
DNF a very short middle school book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2018
I really wanted to like this Book :(( but IT was just so boring and the Story felt rushed to ME.
Too Bad.
Too Bad.
August 9, 2019
Fun., quick read. Yolen does it disappoint!
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