MEG and ROB are Armstrongs. And proud of it. Their Uncle Johnnie is famous along the English/Scottish Border for his boldness, cunning and riches. This makes it especially difficult for Meg to accept her father's reluctance to ride out and provide for his family. So, headstrong and wilful, as always, she takes matters into her own hands. Too late, she is shocked by the perilous and far reaching consequences of her actions. Instead of helping her family, she leads them further and further into danger. Will any of them survive?
And, if so, will their lives ever be the same?
Excerpt
I climb the hill and sit on the cold, grey stone of my brother's grave. And I think. All Summer I have been coming here. Alone, except for the hatred that keeps me company, a hate so strong that I can taste it on my tongue.
I trace my finger into the grooves of the name chiselled in the tiny gravestone. James Armstrong. 1522-1526. Such a short life. Stricken by fever Ma said, three years ago on the very same night that the Burns raided our land. The same night that my father lost his nerve and became a useless coward. I know it is wrong to hate him as I do, but he has brought our family to such hard times.
Professional Reviews
The Spur on the Plate
The Spur on the Plate, from the very beginning,draws the reader into the lives of Meg and Rob Armstrong with ease. The setting of Scotland is especially appealing and the historical aspects of the tale are well-researched. The dialogue flows naturally and because of the novella length, the action takes place over a short period of time which makes the pace thrilling. The themes of growing uop and discovering that things aren't always as they seem to young eyes are universal and ageless, so despite being set almost 500 years ago, young people will still easily identify with the characters. This is one of those treats to enjoy on a wet afternoon _ while the wind whistles outside; the reader is effectively whisked awayto another time and place.
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