Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce
Alanna, the First Adventure
Alanna changes her name to Alan and pretends to be her twin brother, so she can become a knight. She is talented at fighting, archery and riding. Because only boys can become knights she must deceive those around her otherwise she will be sent to a convent to learn how to be a lady. Her brother Thon wants to become a sorcerer. The book is about her training to be a knight. A knight’s training takes 8 years, this is the first of 4 books.
My daughter (14) enjoyed all 4 of these books. They were a good story but thought that she would have enjoyed the first and second book more when she was a little younger (perhaps for 12 years and up). The books do get better as they go along.
Not recommended for those that do not like magic/socerery etc. She also writes about the changes in Allana’s body as she gets older.
Pierce has written another set of books the first one is Protector of the Small: 1: First Test. This set is about of another girl and her quest to become a knight but the law has been changed as a result of Allana being knighted so she does not have to masquerade as a boy.
Here is a link for the books at the Auckland Libraries (just select your region along the top to request the books).