Ms. Frizzle (Frizzy or The Friz) is one of the most interesting characters in children’s books in recent years. Joanna Cole, the author, has taken countless elementary school students on exciting adventures with Ms. Frizzle and the Magic School Bus. With her swirling, unruly red hair, Ms. Frizzle always holds a charm for children. In each of the expeditions, she takes her class on a yellow Magic School Bus.
One of her students is the lazy and somewhat hapless Arnold. The Friz always gets Arnold moving and the story frequently centers on his actions and reactions to the adventures.
This book is slightly different in that Ms. Frizzle begins the story in Craig’s Castle Shop, rather than school and Magic School Bus. She enters the Castle Shop carrying a book on medieval castles. When Arnold sees her, an uneasy feeling comes over him. Frizzy pulls the trapdoor Arnold is standing on and the boy disappears. Ms. Frizzle immediately jumps down the trapdoor with several others. They instantly find themselves in an English medieval castle. The adventure is beginning.
Somewhat stunned, Arnold starts running through a castle tunnel to get away from The Friz. Undeterred, she pursues him until they are in the middle of the castle. Looking around, Arnold and the others see a fully functioning medieval castle.There are towers, walls, parapets, and a drawbridge over a moat. Inside the castle, they meet poor peasants working in the castle and see the rich noble family of Lord Robert and Lady Anne. There are cooks making food for the people in the castle, the leather workers, blacksmiths, carpenters and hunters carrying falcons.
The whole scene is one of constant motion. Suddenly trumpets sound and all the soldiers assemble to march out on a military campaign. Lord Robert leaves at the head of the army for the kingdom is in danger. Lady Anne takes charge of managing the castle in her husband’s absence.
Unfortunately, an old enemy, Baron Griffin sees his opportunity to seize the castle. He arrives with an army and prepares to lay a siege. As the peasants flee to the safety of the castle, the battles begin. The soldiers under Lady Anne hold out during several attacks, but it is clear that the castle will fall if Lord Robert does not return with his army. Unfortunately, the plight of the castle is unknown to Lord Robert. A brave person must be chosen to risk his life getting through enemy lines. Ms. Frizzle knows just the man for the job. She selects Arnold.
How does Arnold prepare for this dangerous assignment? Is he courageous? Have you ever been chosen for something you were unsure about? Did you have the strength and ingenuity to complete the task? What does Arnold do? Is the castle saved? To find out, go to the library and check out this entertaining book, "Medieval Castle" by Joanna Cole.
Ms. Frizzle and Arnold are both delightful characters. Their adventures are interesting, and Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen have packed a great deal of information and vocabulary development into the side bars next to each drawing.
This is not a book for most K-2 students. The story is complex and the reading is challenging. But middle grade students usually love the exploits of Frizzy and her students. If you have never read this book or any of the titles from the Magic School Bus series, you should do so. You are in for a treat; it is easy to see why they are so popular. Enjoy!
