The Singer of All Songs

Constable, Kate. The Singer of All Songs. Scholastic, 2002. ISBN-10:0-439-55478-0


Plot Summary
Calwyn is on track to be a priestess of Antaris when she meets Darrow who has someone crossed the city walls and who knows how to sing magic. Darrow is being hunted by a man who strives to learn all of the magic in the world and unite the world under his rule. To help Darrow escape, Calwyn leaves the protection of Antaris and journeys into far away lands where priestess who can sing magic aren't revered- they're feared.

Calwyn learns that her chantment- the power of ice- isn't the only chantment. There are actually nine chantments. The man who calls himself the Singer of All Songs is traveling the world learning or stealing the chantments. Calwyn and the friends she meets along the way are chasing the Singer of All Songs, journeying farther and farther from home in a race to save the world.

Critical evaluation
The Singer of All Songs jumps right into a mystical world where many things are strange and different, but Constable shows the reader as the story progresses so that the setting does not distract from the story. Calwyn is a powerful and intelligent heroine. Although she is young and some of the other characters belittle her for her mistakes, Calwyn learns from her experiences and eventually takes the lead in the journey. Its nice to see a strong female lead in a story that will appeal to both genders.

Readers Annotations
Calwyn can sing the chantment of ice, and the mysterious man who appears inside their city walls can sing a song that controls iron. The man is being chased by one who calls himself The Singer of All Songs. If Calwyn's single song has the power to slow blood, build a wall or dowse a fire, what could someone who knew all of the songs do? And how can they stop him?

Information About the Author
Kate Constable grew up in Paupa New Guinea. She now lives in Thornbury, Australia with her family. The Singer of All Songs is her first novel.

Genre
Fantasy

Curriculum Ties


Booktalking Ideas
Magical lands
Talk from the point of view of Calwyn's mother

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 7+

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
none

Why Book Included
Included on a list of recommended books for middle schoolers that was published by the Sacramento Public Library