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2002
finalists.

2002 Hackmatack

Children's Choice Book Award/Prix littéraire - le choix de jeunes

Step back in time to the days of kings, queens and enchantment and take part in a wonderful and exciting quest! This is Meryl's story, a thirteen-year-old orphan with big dreams. Meryl is a "mabinog", or bard in training, and her heart's desire is to become a great musician and storyteller as was her mother. However, Meryl's teachers - the Masters of the Hall - have suspended her from her studies for a year for reading a forbidden book - the stories of one of the greatest bards of all time and a great inspiration to Meryl.

Meryl hates being exiled from her studies and being kept from achieving her goal so she comes up with a very ambitious and potentially dangerous plan. In the book which caused her trouble she read that people could become bards after fulfilling a quest. Meryl decides to take this path, abandoning her studies and what she feels could be a safe but tedious life, and sets off to find her destiny in her own way. Her goal: the mythical kingdom of Avalon.

Along the way she meets a host of unforgettable and strange characters and has some amazing adventures! A wonderful tale of fantasy for ages 10 and up.