Kids into books: The new kid at school

Author: K.H. McMullan

Illustrator: Simon Clare

Publisher: Macmillan, $10.95

Age group: 7-10 years


``Ah! Hot soup to warm
my old bones!'' The minstrel took a sip. ``Gaaach!'' he cried, and spit it out.``It is foul-tasting at first,'' Wiglaf admitted. ``But you'll get used to it.''

``I must or I shall starve,'' the minstrel said. ``Talk to me, lad, while I try to get it down.'' Then
he held his nose and jammed a spoonful into his mouth.

``You are lucky to bed out here with the pigs,''
Wiglaf told him. ``The sty smells far better than our
hovel, for my father believes that bathing causes madness. And Daisy, here?'' _ he patted the head of a plump young pig sitting next to him _ ``she is my best
friend. And far better company than my brothers. They only like to fight and bloody each other's noses.''

Wiglaf rubbed his own nose. It was still tender
from one of his brother's fists.

``They gang up on me something awful,'' he added. ``Then they call me a blister and a runt because I will not fight back. I know it is foolish,'' he went on, ``but sometimes I dream that one day I will become a
mighty hero. Would not that surprise my brothers!''

``No doubt it would,'' the minstrel said.