Module 3: Trumpeter of Krakow

Summary. It is midsummer of the year 1461, and Krakow is a center of culture in eastern Europe. The trumpeter at the Church of Our Lady Mary is a timekeeper and watchman over this important commerce center. Two hundred years prior, a trumpeter had kept his oath to play the “Heynal,” the hymn used to mark the hours throughout the day and night, during an attack by marauding Tartars. He paid for this loyalty with his life. Now Joseph Charnetski and his parents arrive in Krakow after their home was destroyed by a band of Cossack robbers. Joseph is taught to play the “Heynal” by his father, the new trumpeter of Krakow. As the family tries to escape detection and deliver their precious cargo in the city, Kelly is able to describe the life of medieval folk in all their joys and miseries.

Citation. Kelly, Eric P. The Trumpeter of Krakow. New York: Aladdin. 1928. Print.

My Impressions. This work of historical fiction is valuable for those wanting to learn about life in the middle ages. I think many kinds of readers would find this book appealing. For those who like adventure, there are battles and power struggles, Cossacks, alchemists, and good-versus-evil. For those who gravitate to well-developed characters, I was impressed how nimbly Kelly defines many of the characters. Not just the male characters, as often happens in adventure offerings, but females too. Not just the children but the adults as well. There are good and bad aspects to each of the main characters' motivations, which makes them very believable. Overall, a good read. Grades 5 and up.

Library Uses. Whether in a study of the middle ages, of Eastern European customs, or just as an example of a Newbery winning book, I think this tale could be a good assignment with crossover connections in a school setting for either history or English.

Awards. Newbery Award winner 1929.

Reviews. Reviews for this older book were difficult to find, so they are from "unusual" sources. (weRead.com) by Julie (weRead user; published 2009-02-07.) This book was the 1929 Newbery Medal winner. Set in 1461 the story begins as a father tells his son the story of the trumpeter of Krakow. The latter died at the hands of the Tartars while playing his piece from a church tower. This proves to be the inspiration for the young boy as he and his father are pursued by a ruthless mercenary. Some of the descriptive writing was very enjoyable at first and the telling of the original legend promised much. However my interest then waned and despite some interesting descriptions of a number of cultural aspects along with the story surrounding the Crystal that the boy and his father were guarding this was not a Newbery winner I would wholeheartedly recommend.

(http://www.librarything.com/work/34652) This was a well realized historical story of medieval Krakow. I enjoyed the legend/history of the trumpeter role of watchman and herald and found the story of the Tarnov Crystal interesting as well. Other points of interest included descriptions of the what the city was like during those time, cultural issues such as threat of fire, medieval witchcraft and the state of science. tjsjohanna (Jan 1, 2009)