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195th out of 1,145 books
—
4,672 voters
Jackaroo (Kingdom #1)
There is much want in the kingdom and the tales of Jackaroo, the masked outlaw who helps the poor in times of trouble, are on everyone's lips. Gwyn, the innkeeper's lively daughter, pays little attention to the tales. But when she is stranded during a snowstorm in a cabin with the lordling Gaderian, and finds a strange garment that resembles the costume Jackaroo is said to...more
Paperback, 368 pages
Published
July 1st 2003
by Simon Pulse
(first published August 12th 1986)
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Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt is about Gwyn, the innkeeper’s daughter. This is set a long time ago, before refrigeration, heating systems, and air conditioning. It’s also before people take baths in winter, which was really weird for me to read about. It takes place during a hard winter where people don’t have enough to eat. They start to rely on the masked Jackaroo to help them get through it. But who is the masked Jackaroo?
This book wasn’t as good as I thought it was going to be. I thought it wa...more
This book wasn’t as good as I thought it was going to be. I thought it wa...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Oct 23, 2012
Becky B
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Those who like Robin Hood stories, Historical ficiton lovers, Those who like spunky female leads
I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I picked up this book. Even the reviews I read didn't seem to prepare me, maybe because it is not an easy book to review.
Although the Jackaroo stories in this book definitely mimic Robin Hood tales, this is not a Robin Hood story. More than anything else, this is a coming of age story about Gwyn the Innkeeper's daughter. Gwyn lives in the Kingdom which could be in any European or imaginary area that has mountains, forests, a river and a coast. The feud...more
Although the Jackaroo stories in this book definitely mimic Robin Hood tales, this is not a Robin Hood story. More than anything else, this is a coming of age story about Gwyn the Innkeeper's daughter. Gwyn lives in the Kingdom which could be in any European or imaginary area that has mountains, forests, a river and a coast. The feud...more
Nov 13, 2012
Catie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Catie by:
Noelle
3 1/2 stars
Noelle mailed me the second book in this series last year for my birthday and then challenged me to actually get off my butt and read it this month for She Made Me Do It. And then, she also sent me the description for this book – the first in the series – by email like a juicy little lure. A description which contains mention of a feisty innkeeper’s daughter who’s independent and strong and doesn’t want to get married and who stumbles across a disguise for the legendary Robin Hood typ...more
Noelle mailed me the second book in this series last year for my birthday and then challenged me to actually get off my butt and read it this month for She Made Me Do It. And then, she also sent me the description for this book – the first in the series – by email like a juicy little lure. A description which contains mention of a feisty innkeeper’s daughter who’s independent and strong and doesn’t want to get married and who stumbles across a disguise for the legendary Robin Hood typ...more
4 likes · like · see review
Jackaroo is a required novel for my 7th grade honors English classes. I never really liked it before this year. I'm teaching honors again after a 5 year break where I only taught core English. So this year, I'm LOVING Jackaroo. It's deep for a young adult book. I think my students are gaining confidence in their reading from it. The main character Gwyn is the Innkeeper's Daughter in the Kingdom ruled by Lords and Earls and Stewards. The Kingdom reminds me of England, but it is a concoction of th...more
Well now! Here's just what a medieval romance ought to be! The writing is very good. The plot is very satisfying. And the characters are real. "Jackaroo" is a storybook legend of a swashbuckling mystery-man who rides to the aid of the poor, rather like a Robin Hood. Sixteen-year-old Gwyn has never believed the stories, until she chances on the clothes and cape and mask hidden deep inside Old Megg's cupboard. But she certainly can see the good that is needed to be done by such a hero, with war an...more
This was a really great book. It had a lot of layers to it. I could enjoy the interesting story, and engaging characters, or I could look at the deeper questions this book asked. The main character had to discover who she was, and where she fit into the world. The thing that really pulled me in was the lessons she learned about her society, and people. When there are troubles in a society who is to blame? Who's job is it to fix it? Is it best to keep your head down and look out for your own fami...more
This book has been in the back of mind as "to read" since about junior high school, and I'm glad that I finally had the chance to read it. It was very well-written with a strong plot and characterization. I was easily drawn into the story, and everything seemed very real to me as I was reading. I loved that Gwyn, the heroine, had the ability to see the difficulties faced by the people of the Kingdom when others often saw only their own needs and that she had the strength to try and do something...more
I understand his is the first book in a loose trilogy, as the next in the series apparently focusses on the granddaughter of the protagonist in Jackaroo.
All three novels are set in the Kingdom, an ultra-hierarchical society where the lower classes cannot even know the given names of their Lords and where everyone else is usually addressed by either a name indicating what they do (Weaver, Innkeeper and so on) or by a name that indicates their relationship to someone with a trade.
This society is s...more
All three novels are set in the Kingdom, an ultra-hierarchical society where the lower classes cannot even know the given names of their Lords and where everyone else is usually addressed by either a name indicating what they do (Weaver, Innkeeper and so on) or by a name that indicates their relationship to someone with a trade.
This society is s...more
I used to love this book as a middle-schooler, when I first found it. It was like Robin Hood meets all the wuxia stories I heard about as I grew up, where girls disguised themselves as guys and explored, and made differences in the world where they could. It was refreshing to read a story like this, in English. ^_^
But then I read the other Kingdom novels. And eventually, a few months ago, I reread Jackaroo. And all of a sudden, though it was still a refreshing scenario, the story, the writing,...more
But then I read the other Kingdom novels. And eventually, a few months ago, I reread Jackaroo. And all of a sudden, though it was still a refreshing scenario, the story, the writing,...more
I really wish they had half stars on this sight, because I think this book is the perfect example of a 3 and a half star book. Jackaroo, the first book in the Kingdom series is very different from anything else I've ever read from Cynthia Voight. I really liked Gwyn, especially at the beginning of the book when Voight juxtaposed Gwyn's patience, fortitude, and against the non-virtues of her spoiled younger brother Tad. It was a great way to set the story in a few pages. I thought the entire stor...more
This series takes place in a fictional kingdom set in a middle ages time period. The main character is Gwyn, the Innkeeper's daughter, who is frustrated by the poverty and injustice of the lowly people in the Kingdom. She sets out to do something about it...adventure, romance, and intrigue ensue. I really like this YA author; she doesn't gloss things over but isn't gratuitous at the same time. She was kind of at the forefront of the YA genre in the 70s and 80s. There are 3 other books in this se...more
What makes a legend? Gwyn, daughter of an innkeeper, discovers a set of clothes that match the description of those worn by "Jackaroo", a Robin Hood sort of figure who helps those less fortunate. She decides to put them on occasionally and use them to do just that -- bring food and money to the poor, and find ways to help others in difficult times. There are other sightings of the Jackaroo, and we figure out quickly that Gwyn's not the only Jackaroo in the land. But what are their reasons for th...more
I've wanted to read this book for years. When I was eleven I read the first chapter, and then lost the book when I moved. I searched for it in my new town library and it was nowhere to be found. The name- Jackaroo- was so mythical and enticing. Now, sixteen years later I've finally read it. And sadly, it didn't live up to its promise.
First off, I'll say that the heroine is a great role model. I would encourage children to read this book for that alone. She is disciplined, compassionate, and ma...more
First off, I'll say that the heroine is a great role model. I would encourage children to read this book for that alone. She is disciplined, compassionate, and ma...more
I picked this up awhile after reading Wings of a Falcon when I was younger; A, because the authors name was familiar and B, because I thought the name was funny. I had no idea that the two were intertwined until I noticed that the land/setting, “The Kingdom”, was the same. Overall this book made me realize that anyone, male or female, rich or poor, could take on a Robin Hood type role and still stand up for what is right. The plot of this book is woven like a fine rug, and the bright characters...more
Excellent. Gwyn was not particularly unique - a fiery redheaded heroine with a strong sense of justice - but thankfully she was also sensible, and so avoided being annoying. The romance (view spoiler) I saw coming a mile off but it developed naturally and its resolution (view spoiler) made me want to start clapping. It helped that the guy was one of my favorite characters in the book. (view spoiler)...more
The harvest has been spare and still the earls taxes more than ever, leaving the people hungry and victim to lawlessness, and fueling their talk of the legendary bandit and protector of the poor, Jackaroo. As an innkeeper’s daughter, Gwyn notices the burgeoning whispers of his reappearance, but considers them merely beautiful stories. That is until a mysterious pair of Lords come to the inn and draft her to serve them on a mapmaking sojourn North and she is faced with the mask of Jackaroo hersel...more
This is the first of Cynthia Voigt's books I've read outside the Tillerman family. To be honest, I've only read two others of hers but I plan on reading many more. I love her detailed stories. The clearly described, feisty characters. But like Dicey, Gwyn has a quick tongue that she tries, but often fails to keep guarded as she works for the good of her family. At least from these two girls, I get a very plain physical idea. Clearly that is not what matters, it's their spirits.
To make another l...more
To make another l...more
I guess so many people have this shelved as a fantasy because of the "alternate history" aspect to the story. We never really know it takes place in OUR past and no real-world names that I know of are given for places. But there isn't any magic or sorcery. The School Library Journal calls this "an intense and elegantly written historical adventure-romance ." There really isn't even much of a romantic aspect to the story unless you count the romantic, swashbuckling legend of the Jackaroo, who is...more
1 like · like · see review
I love this book. Some readers might find Cynthia Voigt's understated, gradual plot development a little slow, but every time I re-read this book I'm more and more impressed by the combination of complex character development, intriguing plot twists, and a social conscience. There's a lot packed into this unassuming book. Also, I loved the author's solution to the question of Jackaroo (a mysterious Robin-Hood-like figure from fairy tales who seems to be riding again).
Jul 25, 2011
Cherise
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy,
read-in-2011
This book started out a little slow, but halfway through things started to get interesting, and by the end I discovered that I had absolutely fallen in love with the book! It was thoughtful, vivid, full of unique and interesting characters, realistic and yet hopeful, portraying the hardships of life without at all diminishing the fantastic moments of adventure. And the ending! It was a legitimate, beautiful happy ending, one that leaves you grinning from ear to ear at the end. I highly recommend...more
1 like · like · see review
After reading the Tillerman series I was expecting great things from Jackaroo but what I got was nothing. The book could easily have been 100 pages shorter. The characters didn't make any sense - why was the Lordling so quiet? Why did the Earl care what happened to the people? Gwyn was boring. And the plot just kind of wandered along, but instead of wandering along an interesting path, it wandered along a really boring path, with very few landmarks.
Blah. Not recommended.
Blah. Not recommended.
This was my favorite book the first time I read it, when I was about 12 years old. I still adore it and recently reread it. The thing that appealed to me, and still allows me to admire the story, is how confident the heroine is, how her actions are motivated by a sense of justice, fairness, and looking beyond herself to the needs of others - add to that a little taste of Robin Hood-like adventures, and it's the perfect story for any young girl to enjoy!
I don't know why I just recently discovered Cynthia Voigt. I've been deprived these many years. Her writing is a little bare, but I've discovered that she is saying a lot by saying a little. Her main character is so strong and sure of her capabilities. I hoped that the love story would resolve itself just the way that it did, which made me happy! I was greatly intrigued by her "kingdom." It is a very interesting place to discover and explore.
Reread recently for the third time since it was published. It's maybe getting a touch dated, but mostly in comparison to the rising quality of YA fiction. And in fact it still does a great job of telling the story of a girl coming-of-age and seeking a way to live outside the strictures of her hierarchical society. A little adventure and a little romance keep the pages turning, but it's a little darker and more serious than one might expect.
I just finished teaching this Young Adult novel. It's a very strong book for middle school readers because Voigt forces the reader to infer a lot about the characters and their relationships. It has a strong plot and she takes her time revealing information and details. It is not an easy read and it takes a few chapters for young readers to grasp what is going on with both the plot and characters.
By the end I felt like I had enjoyed this book. At times the plot slowed down and I thought these moments were a waste of pages, but thankfully it picked up again and the last chapters were exciting. I think I would have liked it more if Gwyn were less perfect...the book was extremely clean and everything about Gwyn was 'good' and noble, so I think the book would be better for younger readers.
I took this book with my to Europe because it was a small paperback that stuffed easily into my purse. I've had it sitting on my shelf for years, but just never got around it. I really enjoyed it! Voigt is a gifted storyteller and the characters were great, even if the writing wasn't amazing. It was nice to just get lost in the story and really want to know what happens next.
As I started reading this I realized I had started it before and never finished. I suppose that is what kept me at it this time. My expectations were a bit too high, I had heard this compared to Robin Hood or even Scarlet Pimpernel, so as I read I was a little disappointed in the story. I think it had a lot of promise, but it was a little lacking for me. Gwyn was a pretty good heroin, and she grows a lot throughout the story. I think Burl (her good friend, and father’s servant) was under used an...more
Jackaroo is masterfully written; a Robin Hood type story that gives the reader pause to ask questions about society and the impact one person can make on a community. This book is layered with meaning, the characters are spectacular, and best of all, this thought provoking book entertained me, uplifted me and hopefully, made me a better person.
Great read!
Great read!
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Cynthia Voigt is an American author of books for young adults dealing with various topics such as adventure, mystery, racism and child abuse.
Awards:
Angus and Sadie: the Sequoyah Book Award (given by readers in Oklahoma), 2008
The Katahdin Award, for lifetime achievement, 2003
The Anne V. Zarrow Award, for lifetime achievement, 2003
The Margaret Edwards Award, for a body of work, 1995
Jackaroo: Ratte...more
More about Cynthia Voigt...
Awards:
Angus and Sadie: the Sequoyah Book Award (given by readers in Oklahoma), 2008
The Katahdin Award, for lifetime achievement, 2003
The Anne V. Zarrow Award, for lifetime achievement, 2003
The Margaret Edwards Award, for a body of work, 1995
Jackaroo: Ratte...more
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Dec 20, 2011 05:48am