Booktalking Colorado - Full Booktalk Record

Booktalking Colorado Full Record:

	Title:	Swords for Hire
	Author:	Allen, Will
	Date Published:	2003
	Genre:	Fantasy
	Grade Level:	6 - 8
	Booktalker:	Sam Marsh

Booktalk:
King Olive had been a good and wise king. He had loved and cared for all of his subjects, including his brother Boonder. He never suspected that his illness was due to his brother's actions and that he was being fed a small amount of poison each day. Until, he awoke to find himself in the filthy cell in the Boneman's dreaded dungeon. The Boneman was only too happy to tell him about his brother's betrayal. But, Boonder was too frightened to actually have Olive put to death, even though he had the populace informed that such was the case. He and the Boneman were sure that Olive would deteriorate and eventually die in the horrible dungeons. Instead, Olive set up an exercise routine to keep fit, both mentally and physically so that he would be ready when an opportunity presented itself. Sam Hatcher was having his sixteenth birthday on his father, Milos' farm. It was the day that he became a man. But, Sam wasn't content as a farmer, so his father sent him off to become a member of the Royal Guard as Milos had been in his younger days. The captain that Sam reported to was aghast at Sam's lack of skills and understanding, but in respect for his old friend Milos, he assigned Sam to a special unit consisting of one man, Rigby Skeet, who had saved Olive's life and been made a member of the Royal Guard by the previous king in thanks. Rigby was an oddball. And really hadn't had much to do since being assigned to his own special unit. "It's been rather slow lately," he told Sam, "but you never know when duty may call." At that instant, a man staggered through the doorway with three arrows stuck in him and a note from King Olive requesting assistance. "See what I mean?" said Rigby. Sam Marsh 3/2004