Three wandering minstrels and a lonely, lost maid; their chivalrous friendship and care for her until she becomes part of the household of the great Albrecht Dürer; the pursuit of the witchhunter and her thrilling delivery from his hostile activities; these are the main points of a story which every girl will want to read. The rich historical background of Germany in the days of guilds and meistersingers, is deftly handled. Adult readers as well as youngsters will be fascinated by the picture of old Nürnberg and of Dürer’s household, by the sub-plot of the young artist who worked for Dürer, his ambitions and his discoveries in engraving. May McNeer was recognized at once as a writer of high literary merit with her first book, Prince Bantam. This second book grew out of many notes and much thoughtful observation and study while the Wards were living in Germany. They knew the very forest, the very towns, where these exciting incidents take place. While the “waif maid” Else, and her cat, “Fraulein Bach,” are most appealing, her three cavaliers, Hans, Werner and Melchior, each a wonderful invention as a probable medieval character, are most memorable; with the wonderful Dürer, they make an unforgettable group, worthy to stand beside such favorites as The Three Musketeers, and The tales of Robin Hood. May McNeer and Lynn Ward have worked together as an award winning team on a number of books for young readers — My Friend Mac, Stranger in the Pines and Up a Crooked River, among others. In 1975, they were awarded the Catholic Library Association’s Regina Medal for their continued distinguished contribution to children’s literature.
