Benjamin Dove Book

Published to acclaim in 1992, this brilliantly conceived novel, tinged with both light and dark humor, explores such disturbing themes as bullying, child abuse, and rivalry, yet there is always a sense of a childs unbreakable spirit.

KLIATT

Twelve-year-old Benjamin spends most of his time running around town with his good friends Jeff and Manny. When they see a new family moving into their neighborhood, they go check things out. They immediately befriend Roland, whose family has moved from Scotland, and who claims to be a descendent of kings and knights. When Roland confronts the town bully, something the other boys have never been brave enough to do, he reminds his new friends of the importance of standing up for yourself and others. He suggests they form a knighthood and fight against neighborhood injustices. Thus, The Order of the Red Dragon is born. Despite his new status as a knight, Benjamin still can't help but feel that he never stands up for what's right or takes action. When a kindly old neighbor's house burns down, the Order steps in to help rebuild it. Meanwhile, Jeff, who has split with the Red Dragons, has banded together with the neighborhood bullies to start their own group of knights. When the Red Dragons find out that Jeff and his gang have kidnapped Manny, they battle each other. Their fighting moves beyond any sort of imaginary play or game and a tragedy occurs. Benjamin is the primary narrator, but there are brief ventures into each friend's point of view. Through snippets of their lives and innermost feelings, the true depth of their characters is revealed. The boys take their knighthood very seriously, determined to do good. Benjamin finds out that life is more complicated than just simply good or evil, and some injustices are too big for even knights to conquer. Reviewer: Amanda MacGregor