Page, by Tamora Pierce

Despite all odds Keladry of Mindelan managed to make it past her first year as a page, and with the authorization of Lord Wyldon she is back at the Palace for her second year. But despite the fact that she is no longer on probation, many people still wish that she would leave. Some of them are still trying to make her and her friends lives miserable until she does. In the midst of this Kel hires as a maid the niece of her palace servant. Lalasa is a nice girl, but she is very timid and Kel finds it hard to live with her. And though pages are not allowed to keep pets, Kel finds herself adopted by a scrappy mutt who refuses to stay away. As Kel moves on from year to year, she leans to face many difficulties: she must face those who hate her with no reason, she must face the fact that she will become a woman, and above all she must face her fear of heights.

What a relief that this second book of the Protector of the Small is every bit as good as the first. When you have a leading character like Kel it is hard to go wrong. Her drive and her personality make for such interesting reading. I have just realized what aspect of Pierce’s writing that makes these books so good. Not only are they good for a younger audience, but I believe older people could enjoy them as well. This is because the characters are not simplistic and one dimensional. Not all characters are cookie cutter good and evil. Lord Wyldon often seems like Kel’s adversary, but he is not an evil or nasty man. Joren and his cronies are the truly nasty ones, just as Kel and her friends are the ‘good people.’ But this range of characters gives the story depth and meaning. It feels more realistic because there are people like that in real life. There are people who seem like adversaries but who are only doing what they know they must do. Of course, it only really works when they are willing to admit their mistakes and recant, but we can’t have everything. Kel’s maturity sets a great standard for those who read about her, without feeling like they are being preached at. I just feel an overwhelming wish for emulation.

When I read this story, I find myself wishing that more people could appreciate it. It is often hard to make many people read a simple book, but in the media of film an audience is quite larger. I believe that these books have great potential for film, and the problems of transforming this book into a screenplay could be solved. This charming book deserves a chance to be seen and appreciated for the enjoyment it brings. We need more heroes in our society, and Kel is a first class one.