Bracelet of Bones by Kevin Crossley-Holland (review)

In this British import, a girl’s determination to find her father takes her across eleventh-century Europe and outside of any literal and emotional comfort zone she has ever known. Solveig is stunned that her father has left her behind to go and serve with another Viking in Constantinople, and she quickly decides that she would rather risk her life to follow him rather than live a safe, empty existence without him at home. The sharp fourteen-year-old has a lot of courage, but she has little life experience or knowledge of other cultures. The growth she experiences on her journey is sometimes jarring for her, as she learns, for example, what the grim fate of a female slave is once her master has died. Solveig is a compelling protagonist, moving through the unknown with little more than her fierce grit, and the world through her eyes is at once terrifying and wildly exciting. Crossley-Holland’s elegant, poetic language adds richness to the travelogue-meets-adventure plot, and his eye for authentic character development is strong. This is one of those rare books that will lure history buffs, those seeking strong girl characters, and Viking fans—and it will actually please all of them. An author’s note, list of characters, map, and vocabulary list add background and context to the complex story.