Who is watching Game of Thrones season 2?
Everyone?
Thought so.
And who among you think that Arya Stark should get more screen-time because
she is clearly the best - the bravest, the smartest, the true-est, the most
interesting?
Everyone?
Thought so.
With that in mind, here is reading list for Arya fans:
'The squires, who were boys training to be knights, copied Sir Benedict's
moves with their wooden practice swords. So did Tommy with the small paring
knife she was meant to be using on the potatoes.'
Tommy might be just a kitchen girl, but she is brave and
fair-minded and loves swords. And what's more she has a talking cat on her side,
so you know things are going to get interesting. But when Sir Walter's special
sword is stolen, Tommy, the new Keeper of the Swords, is in serious
trouble...
Tommy is a feisty, brilliant heroine, and the Sword Girl books, by the
completely lovely
Frances Watts, are
fabulous read-alone or read-aloud books for anyone who likes swordplay
and derring-do and girls being brave and ingenious. (Which is clearly everyone,
right? Thought so.) And
Greg Rogers's illustrations
are totally charming. Best of all, when you've finished Book 1, you can move
straight on to
Book 2: The Poison Plot.* We're
sure these books would have been huge favourites in the Winterfell library, for
Bran (and that other younger brother you never see) as well as Arya.
We
think Goldie and Arya would get on like a house on fire. At the very least, they
could probably both escape unscathed from a house on fire. Goldie certainly
knows how to use the threat of fire to her advantage... She also knows what
it's like to cut off your hair and pretend to be a boy, and to escape from a
cruel dictator. But for Goldie, the sword she wields is bit of a mixed
blessing...
Hermione is obviously incredibly brave, smart and loyal, but we're going to
give honorary sword-girl status to Neville Longbottom, because he overcame a lot
of obstacles, including under-confidence and body-image issues, to become a
brave and trusty warrior who knew how and when to wield his sword for maximum
effect.
Marguerite's father is desperate for a son. Instead he's stuck with a
feisty, stubborn, red-headed daughter who refuses to behave like a lady. Aw
yeah. Marguerite fights (and kisses) the boys, she rides like a hellion
and, like Arya, she has a fencing maestro to whip her sword skills into
shape.
This is an intense and unusual book based on the real life of Marguerite
van Male. The Medieval court comes to smelly, loud, beautiful life and
Marguerite is an unforgettable heroine.
Cool
and rational, rather than fiery and impetuous, Sabriel might drive Arya crazy.
But Arya would have to respect her bravery in the face of Death, her sense of
duty and honour, and the fact that Sabriel's sword is not even her most powerful
weapon... Not to mention the fact that Mogget, in the right mood, would be more
than a match for a direwolf.
---------------
And now, may we suggest you watch the Game of Thrones theme song as sung by
the actors who play Arya, Sansa and Bran.
* Pssst. Sekret news. There are two more Sword Girl books coming in
September when Tommy will be starring in Tournament Trouble and The
Siege Scare. Everyone pleased? Thought so.
