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Roland Wright #1
Roland Wright: Future Knight
A laugh-out-loud chapter book series filled with knightly adventures!
Roland Wright wants to be a knight in armor. The problem: Roland’s dad is a blacksmith, and only boys from noble families can even dream of becoming knights. When mysterious visitors arrive in the village one day, everything changes. Roland finds himself in the contest of a lifetime, with a real chance to become a page, the first step on the road to knighthood. But how can skinny, clumsy Roland beat an opponent who is bigger, stronger, and older—and who doesn’t play by the rules?
From the Hardcover edition.
Roland Wright wants to be a knight in armor. The problem: Roland’s dad is a blacksmith, and only boys from noble families can even dream of becoming knights. When mysterious visitors arrive in the village one day, everything changes. Roland finds himself in the contest of a lifetime, with a real chance to become a page, the first step on the road to knighthood. But how can skinny, clumsy Roland beat an opponent who is bigger, stronger, and older—and who doesn’t play by the rules?
From the Hardcover edition.
160 pages, Library Binding
First published June 1, 2008
2 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Tony Davis
70 books4 followersTony Davis is widely blamed for LEMON! 60 HEROIC FAILURES OF MOTORING, an Australian bestseller that was published in US and UK editions – and which has been adapted into the hit book for kids, YOU MUST BE SKIDDING! He is also responsible for the eccentric literary memoir F. SCOTT, ERNEST AND ME, plus the new children’s series ROLAND WRIGHT, FUTURE KNIGHT.
Before courageously leaving a well-paid job to be a full-time author (at the end of 2005), Tony had a long and successful career in newspapers, magazines and publishing. He has worked at THE AUSTRALIAN and THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, has held senior editing and news roles, and has written extensively about popular culture, history, motoring, television and a myriad of other subjects.
Tony lives in northern Sydney with his wife Carolyn and their three sons, William, James and Daniel.
Before courageously leaving a well-paid job to be a full-time author (at the end of 2005), Tony had a long and successful career in newspapers, magazines and publishing. He has worked at THE AUSTRALIAN and THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, has held senior editing and news roles, and has written extensively about popular culture, history, motoring, television and a myriad of other subjects.
Tony lives in northern Sydney with his wife Carolyn and their three sons, William, James and Daniel.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 4, 2018
It's not Winnie-the-Pooh, but my son enjoyed it as a read-aloud.
August 13, 2019
Cute book to read with the littles.
January 1, 2021
Very sweet and a quick read.
November 16, 2015
I love tales of knights and battles and all that cool stuff from medieval times. Roland's future is pretty well laid out for him. He will work at his father's shop and build armor for knights and such. Not the glamorous life of a knight, which is what he truly dreams of being. He practices every day with his wooden sword in hopes that he will someday be a page, but his chances are slim.
Then, when the chance to change the direction of his life is offered, he grabs at it only to find someone else blocking his path. What boys wouldn't pass up a chance to fulfill his dream? Tony Davis has created a wonderful little story in Roland Wright: Future Knight.
Roland is a highly likable fellow and the reader cannot help but cheer for him in the contest against his brother. There really isn't a bad guy in this story, just Roland's brother Shelby who isn't evil, he just an older brother. You know . . . bossy and controlling.
The artwork by Gregory Rogers is wonderful and will help a young reader who may not know what a quintain, or other middle ages contraptions, is be able to picture them. The pace of the story perfect and the plot builds up to the contest between brothers.
I really enjoyed Roland Wright: Future Knight and found it to be an excellent early chapter book for boys. I cannot wait to read the next book about Roland entitled Roland Wright: Brand-New Page.
I rated this book a 9 out of 10.
Then, when the chance to change the direction of his life is offered, he grabs at it only to find someone else blocking his path. What boys wouldn't pass up a chance to fulfill his dream? Tony Davis has created a wonderful little story in Roland Wright: Future Knight.
Roland is a highly likable fellow and the reader cannot help but cheer for him in the contest against his brother. There really isn't a bad guy in this story, just Roland's brother Shelby who isn't evil, he just an older brother. You know . . . bossy and controlling.
The artwork by Gregory Rogers is wonderful and will help a young reader who may not know what a quintain, or other middle ages contraptions, is be able to picture them. The pace of the story perfect and the plot builds up to the contest between brothers.
I really enjoyed Roland Wright: Future Knight and found it to be an excellent early chapter book for boys. I cannot wait to read the next book about Roland entitled Roland Wright: Brand-New Page.
I rated this book a 9 out of 10.
June 5, 2011
Roland dreams of becoming a knight. He's lasting longer in his wooden sword bouts against older brother Shelby and even won one. When he's helping with the family craft of armor making or assisting with chores around home, Roland pictures himself as a knight. Such daydreaming gets Roland into trouble, especially as commoners don't become pages, let alone knights.
When a jousting accident gets a knight stuck inside his armor, Roland has a chance to meet Sir Gallawood, his local hero, as Roland's father bangs him loose of the armor. The prominent knight orders new armor from the family, but that is not the most exciting part of the day. A group of heralds announces that the king's officer-of-arms is coming with a message. Wright Armor saved the life of the king in battle and the king grants the family two favors. First, the armor can now include marks showing it has royal approval. Second, one son can be trained as a page.
Roland's father sets up a series of contests for both of his boys to determine who will be the future armorer and who will be the future page. Can young Roland out do his big brother? What does it really mean to be a knight?
This series would be a good fit for those readers who cannot get enough of knights and castles.
When a jousting accident gets a knight stuck inside his armor, Roland has a chance to meet Sir Gallawood, his local hero, as Roland's father bangs him loose of the armor. The prominent knight orders new armor from the family, but that is not the most exciting part of the day. A group of heralds announces that the king's officer-of-arms is coming with a message. Wright Armor saved the life of the king in battle and the king grants the family two favors. First, the armor can now include marks showing it has royal approval. Second, one son can be trained as a page.
Roland's father sets up a series of contests for both of his boys to determine who will be the future armorer and who will be the future page. Can young Roland out do his big brother? What does it really mean to be a knight?
This series would be a good fit for those readers who cannot get enough of knights and castles.
February 17, 2010
When someone is really annoying, or is standing in your way and will not move, it is not polite to take a sword and swing it with all your force at eye leve, neatly removing the top of the person's head. But it wasn't always like that.....
Young boy who dreams of becoming a knight. His father is a blacksmith who specializes in making armor. Ronald knows his older brother will inherit the forge, and Roland will have to work for his brother for the rest of his life. Then the king proclaims that the armor that Roland's dad made saved his life, and as a reward he will take one of the blacksmith's son's to the castle to train as a page in hopes that he will become a knight one day. Both boys want to go, so Roland's dad devises a contest between the two boys to determine who will become the knight and who will become the blacksmith. Good.
Young boy who dreams of becoming a knight. His father is a blacksmith who specializes in making armor. Ronald knows his older brother will inherit the forge, and Roland will have to work for his brother for the rest of his life. Then the king proclaims that the armor that Roland's dad made saved his life, and as a reward he will take one of the blacksmith's son's to the castle to train as a page in hopes that he will become a knight one day. Both boys want to go, so Roland's dad devises a contest between the two boys to determine who will become the knight and who will become the blacksmith. Good.
August 4, 2009
Roland dreams of becoming a knight even though he's the son of a blacksmith and only boys from noble families can become pages. When a stranger comes to town and offers Roland the chance of a lifetime, he'll have to compete for the chance to fulfill his dreams. But can he really beat an older, stronger opponent?
Roland's a likeable, somewhat goofy protagonist and the book, an Australian import, has its funny moments. I'd recommend it for boys who are reluctant to read historical fiction or for character building book reports. This is the first book in the series. (Grades 2-4.)
Full review on my blog:
http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/200...
Roland's a likeable, somewhat goofy protagonist and the book, an Australian import, has its funny moments. I'd recommend it for boys who are reluctant to read historical fiction or for character building book reports. This is the first book in the series. (Grades 2-4.)
Full review on my blog:
http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/200...
January 2, 2011
This book is laugh outloud funny. We started it as a read-aloud, but my 10-yr-old grabbed it to finish on his own. When he was done we were able to finish it. My first impression (about halfway through) was that we were not going to finish it because Roland's brother was rude, dishonest, mean, etc. At the end however, we see that the brother got caught up in wanting to win, repents, wonderful moral lesson learned. And it's taught in a way that kids will understand without being all preachy.
The illustrations are hilarious and take up a bit of room on the pages which makes it especially appealing to kids just starting in chapter books.
My 7-yr-old asked for the sequel for Christmas so we'll be reviewing that shortly.
A great choice for young readers or a fun family read-aloud.
The illustrations are hilarious and take up a bit of room on the pages which makes it especially appealing to kids just starting in chapter books.
My 7-yr-old asked for the sequel for Christmas so we'll be reviewing that shortly.
A great choice for young readers or a fun family read-aloud.
March 22, 2011
I'll recommend this short chapter book to boys. Roland is an energetic boy who wishes to be a knight. His father is the town blacksmith and his chances of being elevated to knighthood are slim indeed, until...the quality armor his father makes saves the king, and in gratitude, the king agrees to have either Roland or his brother move to the castle to train as a page. Which brother will it be? Their father puts them to the test. A quick and humorous read. Nudge is Roland's long-suffering pet mouse, and the source of much of the humor. Looking forward to reading book two.
February 5, 2012
The other reviewers did a great job of explaining Roland's story. I just wanted to add my thanks to Tony Davis for writing a book that combines easily accessible writing with a good story. My son is in third grade and is gifted and has a reading disability. This combination means most books he can read comfortably have stories that bore him to tears. Not Roland! He read this in one sitting and couldn't wait to get to the rest of the series. What fun to walk by and see him happily reading!
November 9, 2010
Roland and his brother are given the chance of a lifetime when their father, a blacksmith, helps a knight. Sir Gallawood offers to sponsor one of the boys as a page. If they work hard, they will have the opportunity to become a knight - something usually open only to nobles. Their father decides to hold a series of contests in order to choose one of the brothers- will Roland be able to beat his bigger, stronger older brother?
August 15, 2013
About this book:
Ronald is a 9 year old boy turning 10. he dreams of becoming a knight even though he is not part of a noble family. he goes through some rough times getting there.
I think this book was good to read after studying middle ages in school which helped me understand it. The book was a bit of an easy read but was pretty interesting, my favourite person was Ronald as he showed great character.
Ronald is a 9 year old boy turning 10. he dreams of becoming a knight even though he is not part of a noble family. he goes through some rough times getting there.
I think this book was good to read after studying middle ages in school which helped me understand it. The book was a bit of an easy read but was pretty interesting, my favourite person was Ronald as he showed great character.
January 8, 2017
When someone is really annoying, or is standing in your way and will not move, it is not polite to take a sword and swing it with all your force at eye leve, neatly removing the top of the person's head. But it wasn't always like that.....
A great book. Read it aloud to my six-year old son. He laughed and loved it. A great message. Books about honour are hard to come by and it's nice to have an easily accessible story with a great message and some good laughs in it.
A great book. Read it aloud to my six-year old son. He laughed and loved it. A great message. Books about honour are hard to come by and it's nice to have an easily accessible story with a great message and some good laughs in it.
October 25, 2009
10 year old Roland Wright gets a chance to meet his favorite knight while helping out at his father's armour workshop. He also may get the chance to live at the castle and train to become a knight himself, if hes father chooses him over his older brother.
September 7, 2010
Roland and older brother Shelby undergo a contest to see who's worthy to train for knighthood. The boys learn that strength, stamina, and fighting skills are equally important as honesty, integrity and generosity. A cute, funny, well written book.
January 16, 2010
Nine year old Roland learns what qualities really make a person a candidate for knighthood. Humorous and a fast read. Would make a good read aloud. Good father-son relationship. First of a series
January 14, 2013
Quick read-aloud with my son -- fun but not much there
June 25, 2013
Library.
January 19, 2023
Eli and I read this together. It was fun! I reserved the next two at the library, so hopefully they won't disappoint.
July 15, 2014
My son who is eight years old loves this series. He is devouring book two this week.
March 12, 2016
B+. children's book, knights, grade 1, series, Roland Wright, #1
May 19, 2016
Great opening line. Similar to dragon slayer's academy.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews