This book was in the same vein as Redwall — except it’s far less violent. Squeaky clean, whimsical, and filled with eternal themes, this was a book I loved, even finding it as a teenager.
The Minnipins have lost their past. Long ago, the hero Gammage led them in war against the horrible Hairless Ones. But now — Bravery? Forgotten. Courage? No more. Heroes? The stuff of storybooks.
Yet sometimes heroes turn up when they are least expected….Muggles, Gummy the poet, and Walter the Earl are not like the other Minnipins. They dress differently, speak their minds, and — when Walter the Earl finds a package of old scrolls and swords — dare to disagree with the Minnipin leaders. For their troubles, they are banished from their village.
But Walter the Earl found the weapons for a reason: The Hairless Ones have returned. And this time there is no Gammage to protect the Minnipins. This time there are only Muggles and her friends, outlaws who must rescue the very people who have cast them out.
Goodreads Blurb
With themes of bravery, loyalty, and standing for truth, this was a book I enjoyed for its old-world feel and simple creativity. There is nothing disturbing about any of the fighting — it is all described in very brief, vague terms. There’s only one mention of blood, and though some characters get married at the end, there is nothing else romantically, not even so much as a crush or any descriptions of feelings. This book would be perfect for ages 8-12, and I highly recommend it for anyone who wants a clean, uplifting read for the children in their life. There’s also a sequel, The Whisper of Glocken, which was similar, though I didn’t connect with the characters as well. This was one Newberry that’s actually good.
Has anybody read The Gammage Cup? Thoughts? Leave a comment below, I’d love to hear from you!
Have a great week, all! Cheers!
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