The Young Inferno

K-Gr 3—Pancheri, the current head gardener of Westminster Abbey, presents the fictional story of a monk in residence in 1383. As the medieval head gardener, William is particularly attuned to the seasons. He outlines a month-by-month portrait of his life, working in details about the other monks and life at the abbey. Using gouache thinned with egg yolk gives the illustrations a flat, opaque look that suits the folk-art style. A sense of happiness and peacefulness pervades the narrative; the abbey is presented as a place of contented hard work. Readers can match various elements mentioned in the text to detailed endpaper maps. Some historical background is provided, but how the abbey became Westminster Cathedral and how the country setting evolved into the city of London are not explained. The book is a charming presentation, but will be of most interest to people visiting the site. Modern recipes that use ingredients Brother William would have grown are included.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA