Literature & Fiction
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The Beatryce Prophecy
A 2021 People Magazine Best Books of Fall Winner!
From two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo and two-time Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall comes a fantastical meditation on fate, love, and the power of words to spell the world.
We shall all, in the end, be led to where we belong. We shall all, in the end, find our way home.
In a time of war, a mysterious child appears at the monastery of the Order of the Chronicles of Sorrowing. Gentle Brother Edik finds the girl, Beatryce, curled in a stall, wracked with fever, coated in dirt and blood, and holding fast to the ear of Answelica the goat. As the monk nurses Beatryce to health, he uncovers her dangerous secret, one that imperils them all—for the king of the land seeks just such a girl, and Brother Edik, who penned the prophecy himself, knows why.
And so it is that a girl with a head full of stories—powerful tales-within-the-tale of queens and kings, mermaids and wolves—ventures into a dark wood in search of the castle of one who wishes her dead. But Beatryce knows that, should she lose her way, those who love her—a wild-eyed monk, a man who had once been king, a boy with a terrible sword, and a goat with a head as hard as stone—will never give up searching for her, and to know this is to know everything. With its timeless themes, unforgettable cast, and magical medieval setting, Kate DiCamillo’s lyrical tale, paired with resonant black-and-white illustrations by Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall, is a true collaboration between masters.
From two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo and two-time Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall comes a fantastical meditation on fate, love, and the power of words to spell the world.
We shall all, in the end, be led to where we belong. We shall all, in the end, find our way home.
In a time of war, a mysterious child appears at the monastery of the Order of the Chronicles of Sorrowing. Gentle Brother Edik finds the girl, Beatryce, curled in a stall, wracked with fever, coated in dirt and blood, and holding fast to the ear of Answelica the goat. As the monk nurses Beatryce to health, he uncovers her dangerous secret, one that imperils them all—for the king of the land seeks just such a girl, and Brother Edik, who penned the prophecy himself, knows why.
And so it is that a girl with a head full of stories—powerful tales-within-the-tale of queens and kings, mermaids and wolves—ventures into a dark wood in search of the castle of one who wishes her dead. But Beatryce knows that, should she lose her way, those who love her—a wild-eyed monk, a man who had once been king, a boy with a terrible sword, and a goat with a head as hard as stone—will never give up searching for her, and to know this is to know everything. With its timeless themes, unforgettable cast, and magical medieval setting, Kate DiCamillo’s lyrical tale, paired with resonant black-and-white illustrations by Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall, is a true collaboration between masters.
Editorial Reviews
The story, as well as Sophie Blackall's lustrous pencil illustrations, lingers in the bright places of work and discovery, illumination and beauty. . . Beatryce, both the character and the book, are easy to love.
-The New York Times Book Review
Somehow, DiCamillo manages to fit a medieval epic into just over 250 pages-and that includes many glorious black-and-white illustrations by Blackall that one can easily envision stitched upon a tapestry. DiCamillo fills her narrative with humor and love . . a gently feminist tale where stories carry the same power as magic and are, perhaps, one and the same.
-Booklist (starred review)
The story is told in language as clear and beautiful as an illuminated manuscript, with characters who spring instantly to life. The fairy-tale conventions give it a sense of timelessness and omnipresence. . . Blackall's luminous black-and-white illustrations and medieval-style spot art add to this feeling and are wonderful at conveying emotion through posture, pose, and delicate linework. . . . A book with an angelic soul: large, sharp, and uncompromising.
-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Set "during a time of war" when "terrible things happen everywhere," Newbery Medalist DiCamillo's engrossing medieval fable verges on darkness while examining what changes a world. . . . Tenderly illuminated by Caldecott Medalist Blackall's atmospheric, fine-lined b&w art, this compassionate tale rejoices in "the wonder of being known," the protective powers of understanding one's identity, and the strength found in the hard head of a beloved goat.
-Publishers Weekly (starred review)
The pairing of two-time Newbery Medalist DiCamillo and two-time Caldecott Medalist Blackall is a magical alchemy. Blackall's black-and-white pencil drawings and ornamented initials convey a medieval setting, while DiCamillo's elegant, honed prose weaves a beautiful tapestry of true friends, a feisty goat, and a road to a castle where destiny will unfold.
-The Horn Book (starred review)
Melding the language of prophecies with that of fairy tales and whispered dreams, Newbery Medal winner Kate DiCamillo's latest novel for young readers is both feminist and sweet. . . a gentle and wondrous tale that celebrates knowledge, kindness, and the boundless power of the imagination. . . . Delicate illustrations and rich fairy tales run throughout the book, which stirs hope and joy at every turn.
-Foreword Reviews (starred review)
The deeply satisfying conclusion finds villains properly vanquished, the prophecy fulfilled with a clever spin, and happily-ever-afters grounded on friendships and strong ethics all round.
-The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)
In the beautifully spare prose that has become one of her hallmarks,...
-The New York Times Book Review
Somehow, DiCamillo manages to fit a medieval epic into just over 250 pages-and that includes many glorious black-and-white illustrations by Blackall that one can easily envision stitched upon a tapestry. DiCamillo fills her narrative with humor and love . . a gently feminist tale where stories carry the same power as magic and are, perhaps, one and the same.
-Booklist (starred review)
The story is told in language as clear and beautiful as an illuminated manuscript, with characters who spring instantly to life. The fairy-tale conventions give it a sense of timelessness and omnipresence. . . Blackall's luminous black-and-white illustrations and medieval-style spot art add to this feeling and are wonderful at conveying emotion through posture, pose, and delicate linework. . . . A book with an angelic soul: large, sharp, and uncompromising.
-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Set "during a time of war" when "terrible things happen everywhere," Newbery Medalist DiCamillo's engrossing medieval fable verges on darkness while examining what changes a world. . . . Tenderly illuminated by Caldecott Medalist Blackall's atmospheric, fine-lined b&w art, this compassionate tale rejoices in "the wonder of being known," the protective powers of understanding one's identity, and the strength found in the hard head of a beloved goat.
-Publishers Weekly (starred review)
The pairing of two-time Newbery Medalist DiCamillo and two-time Caldecott Medalist Blackall is a magical alchemy. Blackall's black-and-white pencil drawings and ornamented initials convey a medieval setting, while DiCamillo's elegant, honed prose weaves a beautiful tapestry of true friends, a feisty goat, and a road to a castle where destiny will unfold.
-The Horn Book (starred review)
Melding the language of prophecies with that of fairy tales and whispered dreams, Newbery Medal winner Kate DiCamillo's latest novel for young readers is both feminist and sweet. . . a gentle and wondrous tale that celebrates knowledge, kindness, and the boundless power of the imagination. . . . Delicate illustrations and rich fairy tales run throughout the book, which stirs hope and joy at every turn.
-Foreword Reviews (starred review)
The deeply satisfying conclusion finds villains properly vanquished, the prophecy fulfilled with a clever spin, and happily-ever-afters grounded on friendships and strong ethics all round.
-The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)
In the beautifully spare prose that has become one of her hallmarks,...
Readers Top Reviews
Jennifer Lowry
Kate is my favorite author, so I was thrilled when I saw a new book coming our way. What would it be? How would I love this one? In what ways would it matter? I must let you know that during a time such as this, stories do matter, and Kate DiCamillo is a master storyteller. There were moments where my heart sighed, where a smile broke free, where a heartbeat stalled, just for a moment, and then I was swept away again with the melody of her words and the tugging on the ear of a goat, or the bee buzzing over my head, as I walked along with the characters of this heart-bringing tale. My students witnessed me hug the book at the final close of the page. I hugged it for the sake of love. There is no other way to finish this book but to hug it and be grateful that it exists. I am so thankful to have read it in such a challenging time as I am in, the story brought me sunshine through dark clouds, and that is what stories do. The Beatryce Prophecy is now one of my favorites of my collection of Kate's work. I am ready for more. For stories. For love.
Jeffrey Overstreet
With her very first published works, Kate DiCamillo established herself as not only one of the very best writers for young readers but as one of the wisest and most artful authors in America. Writing for children myself, I was seeking inspiration, but what I found in books like "The Tiger Rising" and "The Tale of Despereaux" were such profound parables about the power of love, generosity, empathy, and grace that I ended up reading them and re-reading them for the good of my own soul. This new volume gives DiCamillo's latest story the honor it deserves, with distinctive and elegant golden endpapers, spirited illustrations, and ornamental drop caps. It's worth the weight, the paper, the ink. The story? Well, my wife Anne and I have only just begun, reading a few chapters each night in order to savor it for a long time to come. You don't want to rush through a feast. But we're confident it will be worth reading and re-reading, and with the opening pages we're already enchanted with this new world, loving this sad little girl, this obstinate goat, and this well-meaning (if jittery) monk. — Jeffrey Overstreet ("Auralia's Colors," "The Ale Boy's Feast")
MKN
The story has violence and parental abuse that are frequently discussed, I didn’t like that inclusion or emphasis, so four stars instead of five.
Christine M. Barlow
Today I felt extremely fortunate to be a retired teacher, as I spent the entire afternoon immersed within "The Beatryce Prophecy". It is unlike any of Kate’s other masterpieces; mesmerizing, thought provoking, and highly insightful. This title belongs within the list of classic children’s literature. Although, I cannot possibly deem it appropriate for a specific category/age of reader. My only regret is that Kate will not be attending the Texas Book Festival. She is an absolutely brilliant writer and the reading world is so lucky to have her….
Hobbit Friend
Kate DiCamillo has become one of my favorite all-time authors. Such an interesting range of genres from Mercy Watson to the delightful Bink and Golly, Because of Winn Dixie, and luminous Tale of Despereaux. And then the Magician's Elephant? And Flora and Ulysses, too? (There are more!) Such wondrous writing and so unique. When I first saw that The Beatryce Prophecy was going to come out, I felt a little worried. What if it was... a dud! I pre-ordered anyway. I took just a peek at the first chapter. I laughed with delight - I read the first chapter aloud to everyone in the room. They laughed with delight. I kept reading (to myself). I read it in 24 hours. Was it a dud? It was not. I read this book with my heart bursting - first with delight in the opening pages then - humor, grief, love, hope, all mixed together. I feel that I cannot describe this book adequately, but it is one of the best books I have ever read for any age category. CS Lewis once said, 'No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally – and often far more – worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond.' This is that sort of book. Surprising, wise, funny, dark, light, multi-layered - full of hope and love. I homeschool and love to read Kate DiCamillo's books out loud to my kids - my youngest is currently 9 and a bit on the sensitive side. I'm trying to decide whether I need to wait a year for her to hear this book - my other children I know would love it. The Tale of Despereaux is one of their favorite read-alouds that we have done together. I would give this ten stars if I could. God Bless you, Kate DiCamillo and thank you for sharing your stories with us all.
