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Julie Berry
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The Emperor's Ostrich Kindle Edition

by Julie Berry (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 20 ratings
See all formats and editions

Magic and mayhem abound in this fantasy adventure from the author of The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place.

Young dairymaid Begonia has lost her cow Alfalfa. So she has set off on a search across the countryside even though she has nothing but a magical map to guide her. Along the way she meets a mother and baby, a woodcutter, a very dirty young man, and an eight-foot ostrich.

Meanwhile, the emperor has gone missing from the royal palace in a most mysterious manner. Was it murder? Was it magic? It will take all of Begonia's wits to save the empire and get Alfalfa home safely.

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    9 - 12 years
  2. Print length
    285 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    4 - 6
  5. Lexile measure
    680L
  6. Publisher
    Roaring Brook Press
  7. Publication date
    June 13, 2017
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  12. ISBN-13
    978-1596439580
  13. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4–7—This whimsical, rambling adventure also serves as a coming-of-age tale. First, readers meet the Emperor, who though technically an adult has been pampered his whole life and has a lot of growing up to do. Next up is Begonia, a farm girl who's been burdened with responsibilities from a young age but still needs to learn about herself. Both are jolted out of their regular lives: Begonia when she is sent off in pursuit of her family's lost cow, the Emperor when a demon scares him out of his bedroom in the dead of night and he flees by ostrich. Once on the road they meet an eclectic band of companions, including each other. Guided by Grandfather and Grandmother Spirit, they must step up to save the kingdom from the evil Chancellor, who has taken over in the Emperor's absence. This novel is well written and well executed, with Berry's clear prose holding together a complicated plot and increasingly eccentric cast of characters. VERDICT Give to kids who enjoy a clever story and don't mind a strong dose of silliness, or to anyone who loves the idea of a cow who becomes besotted with an ostrich.—Eliza Langhans, Hatfield Public Library, MA

Review

The Emperor's Ostrich:

“Cheeky commentary about class and feminism, giggle-inducing wordplay, and jokes about the ridiculousness of imperial overindulgence round out this story. Readers looking for easy laughs will find them here.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Berry (The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place) creates a lively, magic-laced folktale featuring a self-centered emperor, a dairymaid, a farmer boy with grand romantic ideals, and two very stubborn animals. . . . Whimsical details, including an enchanted map and a pot of mustard that changes flavor, will delight readers, and the nonstop action will keep them on the edge of their seats.” ―Publishers Weekly

"This whimsical, rambling adventure also serves as a coming-of-age tale. . . . This novel is well written and well executed, with Berry's clear prose holding together a complicated plot and increasingly eccentric cast of characters. . . . Give to kids who enjoy a clever story and don't mind a strong dose of silliness, or to anyone who loves the idea of a cow who becomes besotted with an ostrich." ―School Library Journal

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01MRNAXJN
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Roaring Brook Press (June 13, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 13, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3496 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 285 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1596439580
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 20 ratings

About the author

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Julie Berry

Julie Berry

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Julie Berry grew up in western New York. She holds a BS from Rensselaer in communication and an MFA from Vermont College in writing for children and young adults. She now lives in southern California with her husband and four sons.

"The Emperor's Ostrich," Julie's newest middle grade from Roaring Brook, earned a Booklist star. "The Passion of Dolssa" (Viking, 2016), won an ALA Printz Honor, was a New York Times Notable title, earned five stars, and was named to many best of year lists. Her middle grade novel, "The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place" (Roaring Brook, 2014) received an Odyssey Honor, was named a Wall Street Journal Top Ten Children's Book of 2014, and was named to the Dorothy Canfield Fisher list. "All the Truth That's in Me" (Viking, 2013) was Julie's first YA novel. It has earned starred reviews from Kirkus, School Library Journal, Publisher's Weekly, BCCB, and the Horn Book. It's been named a Horn Book Fanfare title, a School Library Journal Best Book of 2013, a Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book of 2013, and a Junior Library Guild selection. It was shortlisted for a Carnegie Medal and a YALSA BFYA award. It was published in 14 international countries and territories. Julie is also the author of "The Amaranth Enchantment" and "Secondhand Charm" (Bloomsbury) and the "Splurch Academy for Disruptive Boys" series (Penguin Books for Young Readers). Julie's works appear in audio and international versions worldwide.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
20 global ratings
So great!
5 Stars
So great!
This was a romping great time! Lol I read The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place previously, & loved that so much as well. So it’s clear to me that Julie Berry is going to be another favorite author. Begonia has lost her cow Alfalfa, & her mom sends her off to find her. All she has to guide her on her journey through the countryside is a magical map. She meets a boy named Key, & he joins her against her protests lol Key has my heart. Such a great character. They meet a woman & her baby, a woodcutter, a very dirty man, & an 8 ft ostrich on their adventure. Meanwhile, the emperor has gone missing under mysterious circumstances. It soon befalls Begonia & Key to not only get Alfalfa home, but to save the empire. This is full of the strangest, most kooky characters-& I absolutely loved each & every one of them! There were twists that I loved, & it was such a fast paced adventure. Definitely unique & creative! So funny too! The unlikely “romance” in this had me😆Also, when Song told yet another person-“Here, hold my baby.” I lost it laughing. I loved how everyone was connected in some way & all came together in the end-a full circle. I loved the ending. I loved the ancestors-they also made me laugh quite a bit. I also loved the question Begonia has at the end. Great messages & lessons that many can relate to-when “good” people seem to be punished for being so good, while the “bad” people seem to get rewarded. Loved that part at the end, & the reply to that question. & as always-kindness goes a long way. Plus, love can be found anywhere, by anyone, & between anyone. Friends are also so important, & everyone needs them. Highly recommend this! Such a beautiful cover by Yuta Onoda too!💜
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Top reviews from the United States

Iris Garden
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved it.
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2017
Verified Purchase
Very fun to read. I will read it again. Silly and elegant at the same time. Hated to see it end.
2 people found this helpful
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cmjtroy
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun summer read
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2017
Verified Purchase
A vast assortment of characters, one crazy scene after another, lots of twists, and, at the end, redemption. It's such a fun read! Plus, it's a tribute to Lloyd Alexander. What more could you ask for?
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
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Belle’s Middle Grade
5.0 out of 5 stars So great!
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2021
This was a romping great time! Lol I read The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place previously, & loved that so much as well. So it’s clear to me that Julie Berry is going to be another favorite author. Begonia has lost her cow Alfalfa, & her mom sends her off to find her. All she has to guide her on her journey through the countryside is a magical map. She meets a boy named Key, & he joins her against her protests lol Key has my heart. Such a great character. They meet a woman & her baby, a woodcutter, a very dirty man, & an 8 ft ostrich on their adventure. Meanwhile, the emperor has gone missing under mysterious circumstances. It soon befalls Begonia & Key to not only get Alfalfa home, but to save the empire. This is full of the strangest, most kooky characters-& I absolutely loved each & every one of them! There were twists that I loved, & it was such a fast paced adventure. Definitely unique & creative! So funny too! The unlikely “romance” in this had me😆Also, when Song told yet another person-“Here, hold my baby.” I lost it laughing. I loved how everyone was connected in some way & all came together in the end-a full circle. I loved the ending. I loved the ancestors-they also made me laugh quite a bit. I also loved the question Begonia has at the end. Great messages & lessons that many can relate to-when “good” people seem to be punished for being so good, while the “bad” people seem to get rewarded. Loved that part at the end, & the reply to that question. & as always-kindness goes a long way. Plus, love can be found anywhere, by anyone, & between anyone. Friends are also so important, & everyone needs them. Highly recommend this! Such a beautiful cover by Yuta Onoda too!💜
Customer image
Belle’s Middle Grade
5.0 out of 5 stars So great!
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2021
This was a romping great time! Lol I read The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place previously, & loved that so much as well. So it’s clear to me that Julie Berry is going to be another favorite author. Begonia has lost her cow Alfalfa, & her mom sends her off to find her. All she has to guide her on her journey through the countryside is a magical map. She meets a boy named Key, & he joins her against her protests lol Key has my heart. Such a great character. They meet a woman & her baby, a woodcutter, a very dirty man, & an 8 ft ostrich on their adventure. Meanwhile, the emperor has gone missing under mysterious circumstances. It soon befalls Begonia & Key to not only get Alfalfa home, but to save the empire. This is full of the strangest, most kooky characters-& I absolutely loved each & every one of them! There were twists that I loved, & it was such a fast paced adventure. Definitely unique & creative! So funny too! The unlikely “romance” in this had me😆Also, when Song told yet another person-“Here, hold my baby.” I lost it laughing. I loved how everyone was connected in some way & all came together in the end-a full circle. I loved the ending. I loved the ancestors-they also made me laugh quite a bit. I also loved the question Begonia has at the end. Great messages & lessons that many can relate to-when “good” people seem to be punished for being so good, while the “bad” people seem to get rewarded. Loved that part at the end, & the reply to that question. & as always-kindness goes a long way. Plus, love can be found anywhere, by anyone, & between anyone. Friends are also so important, & everyone needs them. Highly recommend this! Such a beautiful cover by Yuta Onoda too!💜
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Stacie Eirich
5.0 out of 5 stars Unique, Humorous Tale with A Big Heart
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2017
The Emperor's Ostrich, by Julie Berry, is a whimsical adventure with humor and quirky, lovable characters. While its intended audience is middle-grade readers, it will also appeal to younger readers as well as adults who are young-at-heart. Set in the Empire of Camillion, it is a fun romp through both the castle and the English countryside, and is reminiscent of both fairy and folktales of yore. Even so, this story is also both contemporary and unique in its telling.

The adventure begins when the spoiled, self-obsessed Emperor of Camillion goes missing from the castle. Soon after we are introduced to Begonia, who lives in the countryside and has lost her cow Alfalfa. Begonia, far from being a damsel in distress, embarks on a determined search to find Alfafa. Along the way she encounters a mustard maker and a mapmaker that are really ancestral spirits in disguise - and a poetic, aptly self-defined "hopeless romantic" boy named Key. These characters, in addition to being both funny and kind, are helpful to her on her journey, even though Begonia is at first quite certain she will travel alone.

This is a story, then, of friendship and the power of kindness as much as it is about having a grand adventure. It is also about embracing differences and loving each other not in spite of but because of them. This is also perhaps the only book where you will find a cow and an ostrich in love. And why not? Berry is showing young readers that love is possible anywhere, between anyone - and that life is always better enjoyed with our friends. With fast-paced, witty prose, characters that jump off the page and frolicking fun, The Emperor's Ostrich is a unique tale with a big heart sure to be enjoyed by many readers.
4 people found this helpful
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L
4.0 out of 5 stars Great, Well-Paced Read
Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2017
Thanks to the #kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.

This was an engaging, well-paced story that I really enjoyed. It starts off in the palace, where we meet the emperor's cupbearer's young second assistant, who is there to bring the emperor milk. The emperor, as it turns out, is a spoiled brat. By the end of the first chapter, both the emperor and an ostrich have gone missing (and we get the sense that something suspicious and/or magical is going on).

Meanwhile, we meet Begonia, the put-upon responsible daughter, sent off on a quest to retrieve a missing dairy cow. Along the way she meets up with Key (a boy) and other assorted characters who reappear later in the story. Eventually, Begonia and Key meet Lumi (the emperor, who has been enchanted and cannot say his name or the word "emperor"). Hijinks ensue though (of course) everything is eventually right in the end.

This was fun to read. It took me a few chapters to really find my groove but once I did, I was hooked. I wanted to find out how this crazy cast of characters would all come together and work things out. I wanted to know who the bickering spirits were - after all, they instigated the events that we follow. And I wanted to know how the horrible emperor could redeem himself. I thought the writing was very well executed and the pacing was excellent.

Finally, to fellow readers: pay attention to the chapter titles! I typically skim over them very quickly, but they really guide you through this story, so don't ignore them.
3 people found this helpful
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