Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices From a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz

Genre: Historical Fiction
Themes: Family, Medieval Times, Class
Grade Level: 6-8
Curricular Connections: History (Medieval Times)

This book was written to be a series of one act plays for students studying Medieval times. Each of the monologues (and two dialogues) is spoken by a different individual. The characters vary widely. Isobel, the Lord's daughter, relates her distress at a gown soiled by a clod of dung thrown at her while walking through the village, then Barbary explains why she did it. Piers, the glassblower's apprentice, describes his anxiousness to learn the skill and please his master. Next, Mariot and Maud, the glassblower's daughters, tell how Piers has won their father's approval and that one may have to marry him. (After much internal debate, Mariot says she will. Maud says she'd rather have the plague or leprosy.)

Classroom Suggestions:

1. Teachers should most certainly use this book when studying Medieval times. Not only are there monologues, but in the margins readers find words defined and daily life explained in more detail.

2. Parts can be performed as monologues or as reader's theater. I think the text has a high enough interest level to keep students engaged long enough to improve fluency and expression.