Hunchback

by Randall Wright

"You!" shouted a voice from near the willow tree. "Stop!" Hodge heard the jangle of a horse's bridle. He spun about the other way, but a dark shape jumped out of the shadows and knocked him to the ground. Light flashed into his face as a lantern was uncovered. "A spy," hissed the figure. "A stinkin' spy." A glorious adventure of castles, kings, traitors-and one humble hunchback who has to save them all Long ago, Castle Marlby rang with the comings...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805072322
• ISBN13: 9780805072327
• Release Date: April 2004
• Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
• Length: 248 Pages
• Weight: 0.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.8" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 10 to 15 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 10

Customer Reviews

great action adventure

Hodge is a hunchback who lives in an old castle. The people there look down upon him and he does lots of dirty work. He feels like he would be of great help if he had a prince to serve. His wish comes true when Prince Leo comes to live in the castle. When he arrives lots of rumors are heard in the castle. Some say the reason is there is because he is ill. Others say he is being hidden for his own protection. Hodge will soon find out the truth and so will you as you read the story of Hunchback! The book moved at a fast pace. It was full of adventure and kept you in suspense. We would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories of long ago. Kids who like to read of kings and princes will enjoy this fast paced story.

epic adventure for young readers

There is such a thing as being in the right place at the wrong time. This is the spot Hodge finds himself in. He lived a long, long time ago at Castle Marlby, which was once a thriving, important castle with royals, lovely ladies, shopkeepers, and all sorts of hustle and bustle going on. Now, sad to say, Castle Marlby is in a state of disrepair. There's rubbish in the courtyard, grass poking up between paving stones, and nary a sign of a lord or lady. Hodge dreams of bygone days. He also dreams of serving a prince. Albeit, anything would be better than what he does now which is about the lowest job to be found - he cleans latrines. But, what can he expect as he's a 14-year-old hunchback. Then, Hodge's fondest desire is about to be fulfilled - Prince Leo is actually coming to Castle Marlby. However, it doesn't happen the way Hodge had imagined. Rather than proudly entering the courtyard on a magnificent stallion this prince arrives after dark and, once he has arrived, no one sees him. Rumors abound, he's ill; he's held captive; he's being hidden for his own protection. Eventually, Prince Leo befriends Hodge, and the boy is so pleased by the royal's attentions that he will follow him anywhere. Although warned by his brother that the Prince is not at all what he appears to be, Hodge is blinded to the truth. This misplaced loyalty puts him in great danger. Excitement abounds as Hodge embarks on a perilous adventure. - Gail Cooke

If only life were different . . .

Hodge is a hunchback, and as such he is assigned the most disgusting of chores, (...) If only life were different, he would be serving a prince. No sooner does Hodge wish it, than a mysterious prince arrives at Castle Marlby, or at least everyone thinks he has. No one has seen him. Why is Prince Leo here? Why is his visit more of an imprisonment than a celebration? Hodge sets out to learn the truth, and in the process gets himself wrapped up in the prince's disappearance. If Hodge finds the prince, will he be on the side of the monarchy, or that of treason? Wright brings his reader a fantasy quest novel of a slightly different sort, a hero who is nothing like the typical hero, uncertainty as to which side is right until the very end(...)."