The Secret Chamber of Gwendolyn Riston

(Paperback)

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Description

The year is 1665. Fourteen-year-old Gwendoline Riston lives in the village of Letchlade on the upper reaches of the River Thames. Her puritan neighbors have long whispered about Gwendoline her way with animals, her skill with plants, especially her pale skin and white hair. They believe she is a witch. But her father says she looks like an angel here on earth, and her friend Jack is a loyal companion when the village folk shun her.

When a terrible plague hits London, threatening the countryside, no one is safe. The villagers blame Gwendoline. Purge the pale one! they cry. If that werent cause enough to be frightened, Gwendolines friend goes missing and her father sets out to search for him, leaving her hidden away in a secret chamber above the porch at St. Giles Church to keep her safe. With only a meager supply of food, Gwendoline must summon all her courage to survive through the long, hot summer.

Reviews

(Note: These are reviews from the original version) "Willful ignorance, blind faith, persecution, honor and love, swirl through this novel." -- Kirkus (Starred)
"A vivid sense of time and place, intensified by the elegant cadence of Gwendoline's passionate first-person voice." -- Kirkus (Starred)
"A compelling glimpse into 1665 England." -- School Library Journal

Author Bio

Janet Graber was born in the Scottish borderlands many years ago. After raising a family, she followed her dream (just like Malcolm Mouse) and began to write stories. She has published picture books, stories for older kids, and one novel for grown-ups.