Hush - By Karli Owens

Hush

          For my book report I chose to read Hush. This book is written by Donna Jo Napoli. This book is an Irish Princess Tale. It was a very suspenseful book and it was set in Ireland, Russia, and Scandinavia in the early tenth century. This book is a great read and is about Princess Melkorka, who discovers a way to power over the ones who kidnap her.
          Melkorka is a fifteen year old princess. Her father is King Myrkjartan and they live in medieval Ireland. Melkorka has a brother named Nauda who is thirteen and a nine year old sister named Brigid. In the beginning of the book Melkorka really wants to go to Dublin. Her family has known the area to be dangerous because of Vikings. ""The vikings are wicked, yes," Says mother" (21) While they are there Naudas hand gets cut off. King Myrkjartan has to figure out who is out to get his family therefore he has to protect his daughters. He sends them to hiding when they get kidnapped. They were tossed onto a viking slave ship. Melkorka remembers when her mom told her to hush and quiet. So she remained mute while being held captive. Melkorka's mom said ""Hush now," says mother." Go to bed girls. Theres time enough to figure out the question of succession" (22) Her staying silent was very powerful. Brigid escapes so Melkorka does not know if she survives or not but when the ship  arrives in Miklagard a viking buys Melkorka. She then remains silent but will be carrying the vikings baby. He decides to set her free because he loves her beauty and wants her to be happy. She finds a home in Iceland and will use her influence over the vikings for him to free his other slaves. "Wherever my child is, that's where my home is, for this child will give back my mother tongue"(308) Melkorka will finally speak out again once her son is born.
          Donna Jo Napoli has received a lot of grants and fellowships in linguistics. She has three degrees from Harvard. She is a writer for young adults. She also held a grant from the American Association of the University Women for research to fiction writing. Donna is certified to write this book because she is very intelligent and did the research to write this book.
          I actually enjoyed reading this novel a lot. It showed me what it was like in Ireland around the tenth century when kings were constantly fighting over land. The author, Donna has used great vocabulary in writing this book. It is very in depth and you're really drawn into the book right from the beginning. I would read more of Donna's books. The wording in the book made things very realistic. This book was a success.