The Book of Three
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 1964 · Est. 4.5 hour read

The Book of Three

By Lloyd Alexander

Book #1 in the The Chronicles of Prydain series

A pig-keeper's quest to become a hero in a battle of good versus evil.

5.8/7 Bookroo expert·4.0/5 Goodreads · 84,579 ratings
190 pages· 42,509 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
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Bookroo's summary

In the land of Prydain, Taran, an assistant pig-keeper, dreams of heroism. Joined by a spirited princess, a boastful bard, and loyal friends, he faces an epic battle between good and evil. As Taran's journey unfolds, the fate of Prydain hangs in the balance. Will he rise to the challenge and become the hero he longs to be? Discover the enchanting adventures that have captivated readers for decades.

From the publisher

The Newbery-winning fantasy series now available in gorgeous new paperback editions! Since The Book of Three was first published in 1964, young readers have been enthralled by the adventures of Taran the Assistant Pig-Keeper and his quest to become a hero. Taran is joined by an engaging cast of characters that includes Eilonwy, the strong-willed and sharp-tongued princess; Fflewddur Fflam, the hyperbole-prone bard; the ever-faithful Gurgi; and the curmudgeonly Doli–all of whom have become involved in an epic struggle between good and evil that shapes the fate of the legendary land of Prydain. Released over a period of five years, Lloyd Alexander’s beautifully written tales not only captured children’s imaginations but also garnered the highest critical praise. The Black Cauldron was a Newbery Honor Book, and the final volume in the chronicles, The High King, crowned the series by winning the Newbery Medal for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. Henry Holt is proud to present this classic series in a new, redesigned paperback format. The jackets feature stunning art by acclaimed fantasy artist David Wyatt, giving the books a fresh look for today’s generation of young fantasy lovers. The companion book of short stories, The Foundling is also available in paperback at this time. In their more than thirty years in print, the Chronicles of Prydain have become the standard of excellence in fantasy literature for children. This title has Common Core connections.

At a glance
Format
Paperback
Pages
190
Words
42,509
Reading age
10–13
Audience
Middle Grade
Lexile
770L
Themes & topics
Books about magicBooks about pigsBooks about good vs evilBooks about self-discoveryBooks about quests
What readers & critics say

Reviews

5.8

out of 7

5.8

This is a really great middle grade adventure story. It has Lord of the Rings vibes but is much less intimidating in language and length, so it seems like a great introduction to the world of fantasy and adventure for a reader who's not quite ready for The Lord of the Rings.

The Goodfather

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The author

More from Lloyd Alexander

Explore Lloyd's bookshelf
The Fortune-Tellers
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The Fortune-Tellers

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The Foundling and Other Tales of Prydain

Ages 8–12 · 1973

The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen

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The First Two Lives of Lukas-Kasha

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The series

The The Chronicles of Prydain series

See the whole series
Series
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$899

The Black Cauldron

Ages 10–13 · 1965
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$899

The Castle of Llyr

Ages 8–12 · 1966
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$799

Taran Wanderer

Ages 8–12 · 1967

The High King

Ages 8–12 · 1968
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The fine print

Book details

Reading levels
ATOS
5.3
F&P level
~R
AR points
7
AR interest level
MG
AR quiz
6658
Publication
Published
May 16, 2006
First published
March 12, 1964
Publisher
Square Fish
Edition
Language
English
Type
Chapter Book
Identifiers
ISBN
9780805080483

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