Red Riding Hood

by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright

Reviewed by Antara Mallick

Fall 2016

REVIEW: Red Riding Hood by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright

ISBN#: 9780316176040

THE STORY:

Valerie, the main character, is a young, innocent girl living in the village of Daggerhorn. She falls in love with her childhood friend, Peter, who had been taken away. Peter’s father was a troubled man which led their family to be thrown out of the village. However, Valerie was forced, by her parents, to marry a wealthy man, Henry. Henry found out the Valerie and Peter were reunited, which made him envious about them. He realized that Valerie did not love Henry. He called off the engagement and became an unsupportive man after

the incident. The village of Daggerhorn used to be a safe town, but not forever. The Wolf was there for a monthly sacrifice until it went awol. The Wolf would murder people when a blood moon would appear. Valerie realized that she was the only one able to hear the Wolf’s voice. He was telling her that if she did not sacrifice herself before the blood moon, the ones she cared about would die. The days to the blood moon got closer and closer. Her friends and family had started to get in danger. Her sister was murdered, her mother was attacked, and the whole village had been mentally worried about the wolf. Since the attacks were mainly centered around Valerie, the villagers thought she was a witch. They wanted to kill her until her grandmother brought some sense into the villagers. Later that evening, Valerie went to the Wolf with an army of villagers behind her, hoping no one else would get hurt. (257)

MY OPINION:

When I saw this book, I thought it was going to be another classic fairy tale. Once I started reading it, my thoughts changed. The conflict of the story came right away with sorrow. I was shocked about the unexpected violence in the story. However, I got very caught up in the book. The drama and action made the story very engaging. Even though I enjoyed the story, I wish it was more clear. Some of the vocabulary and scenes were difficult to understand. Then again, I do not have the best dictionary in my head. I think this story is meant for middle and high school students. In my opinion, the content is for higher grade levels but is enjoyable for others as well. I would read this book again because it was very interesting. Also, I would like to read it when I can understand the content better. I would give this book eight out of ten stars because I have some ideas for the book that can make it better. For example, adding more action scenes instead of sad scenes will get more people’s attention. Overall, this story was very well written. (194)

STUDY QUESTIONS AND VOCABULARY:

FIRST SECTION

1. Why did Valerie think her older sister, Lucie, was better than her?

1a. Lucie was kinder, more generous, more patient, and sensible. (6)

2. Who did Valerie see as she was trying to save her goat?

2a. Valerie saw the Wolf. (15)

3. What did Valerie stop searching for?

3a. Valerie stopped searching for Peter’s arrows. (40)

4. What did Roxanne think Henry was doing to Valerie?

4a. Roxanne thought Henry was flirting with Valerie. (63)

5. Who did Valerie get betrothed with?

5a. Valerie got betrothed with Henry Lazar. (86)

palpable (10)

demure (36)

convulsed (69)

vehemently (77)

illicit (84)

MIDDLE SECTION

6. What did Valerie know about before Roxanne whispered “your sister” in her ear?

6a. Valerie knew that her sister, Lucie, just died. (98)

7. What was Father Solomon known to be?

7a. Father Solomon was known to be a legendary priest and a renowned werewolf hunter who destroyed beasts throughout the kingdom. (116)

8. Why was Valerie embarrassed about the piece of jewelry she got from Henry?

8a. Valerie was embarrassed because she didn’t want to be considered a “women”. (147)

9. What convinced Claude that “evil” was real?

9a.  Claude was convinced when he saw Lucie lying dead in the wheat field. (177)

10. What did Solomon believe in when the soldiers were complaining about the “monster”?

10a. Solomon believed that “God [was] stronger,” than the monster. (210)

candelabrum (115)

haphazardly (129)

grandeur (142)

unfathomable (172)

gnarled (219)

                               

LAST SECTION

11. What did Valerie notice about Suzette when Suzette was lying on the bed?

11a.  Valerie noticed that she had been slashed by the Wolf. (233)

12. Why did Henry break off the engagement with Valerie?

12a. Henry saw Valerie with Peter and Henry realized that she did not want to be with him. (246)

13. Why did the villagers think Valerie was a “witch”?

13a. The villagers thought Valerie was a “witch” because her sister, father in law, and mother were attacked. This put her in the center of attacks. (268)

14. What made Cesaire run when he was pushing the wheelbarrow around the square?

14a. Cesaire saw that the Captain was coming towards him after he had a “taste of his flask.” (290)

15. What did the Wolf do to Valerie when using her as a “human shield”?

15a. The Wolf jerked Valerie’s head back and a set a sword against her throat. (311)

gauze (229)

delirious (261)

disarray (283)

guise (300)

apparition (328)