Skip to main content

Otto of the Silver Hand

Otto of the Silver Hand

Author/Illustrator: Howard Pyle
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade: 4th grade and up



The book takes place during the medieval ages. It is about a boy named Otto whose mother passed away while he was a small boy and his father abandoned him to the monastery to live with the monks. When Otto got older, he learned that his father was Baron Conrad, who was known for the rivalry with Trutz-Drachen and the death of Baron Fredrick. Baron Conrad takes his men to fight and it leads to the lack of security in Otto’s home. Baron Henry, which is the nephew of baron Fredrick, took this opportunity to attack the castle and took Otto as hostage. He cut off Otto’s hand but he spared his life. When Baron tried to rescue his son, it ended in both Baron Henry and Conrad’s death. Otto ended up being a statesman and marrying Pauline, who was the daughter of Baron Henry. He put a silver hand as the replacement for the hand that was chopped off, which comes the name Otto of the Silver Hand.

This is a great book because despite of all the revenge, hatred, and violence, it also gives the lesson on love, sacrifice, and forgiveness. This is a great book because it is set in the medieval time and the theme is really nice. Otto’s characteristic and personality shows a great example to the reader or the students to do good and also have a positive perspective in life. I will highly recommend this for upper grade level students because it is a novel and it is somewhat long. Students who like quest and adventure journey will like this. The illustration in this book is black and white. It is mainly drawn in ink and are sketches. It consist of a lot of lines and light and dark shades.



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Brother Eagle, Sister Sky

Brother Eagle, Sister Sky Author/Illustrator: Susan Jeffers Genre: Multicultural book Grade: 2nd grade and up This book is a message from Chief Seattle. It starts with the story of Native American living and their way of life till the Europeans took over their land and wanted to sign off the new Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Chief Seattle started a speech talking to the European people about how can someone own the sky and the wind for it can not be bought. He states that we are part of the earth and that it is part of us. He explains how his ancestors said that us humans should give back to nature for it provides for us. The earth is our mother and the animals are our brothers. He says that the European settles brings misery to them and to the land and nature. He states in the end that what we do to the web we do to ourselves. We need to preserve the land and the air for it is for our children and to the next generation. This is an amazing book. I will def...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Magic Amber

The Magic Amber  (A Korean Legend) Author/Illustrator: Charles Reasoner Genre: Multicultural book Grade: 2nd grade and up Once upon a time, in a small farmhouse in Korea lived an old rice farmer and his wife. When winter came, they do not have much food and are worried they are going to starve, but an old woman appeared in their home. They still shared with the old woman of what little food they have, the woman then thanked them and gave them an amber stone. The wife was shocked and disappointed that she threw the stone into the pot. The next day when they opened the pot it is filled with rice and much more appeared. They are generous; therefore, they provided for those who do not have anything. When the debt collector, Lan Po heard the news, he then went to them and became suspicious. Once he found out about their secret he dressed up as a beggar and stole the stone. He lost the stone while in the river and got very upset and disappointed. The old couple worked ag...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers Author: Matt De La Pena Illustrator: Christian Robinson Genre: Non Fiction Grade: 2nd grade and up Philippe has been a performer throughout his life, but when he saw the two high tower buildings, he wanted to walk in a wire across the two. He knew that the police will say no; therefore, he sneaked in the construction dressed up as workers with his friends. They did get in and set up the wire. It was really hard at first because it is dark and really high, but they finally connected the wire between the two buildings. It was past dawn and it is finally set. He started crossing, and people started noticing him from below. Police called and tried to stop his act but Philippe just played and performed. After his act/performance, he was then taken to court and was sentenced to perform in the park for children. He enjoyed it and made the people amazed by his performance. I would recommend this book because it is unique and the design...
Post a Comment
Read more