~ Mass Market Paperback

Sword of the Rightful King: A Novel of King Arthur

Young King Arthur has yet to win the support of the people.  Merlin feels he must do something before the king is betrayed, or murdered, or (worst of all) gets married, so he creates a trick: a sword magically placed into a slab of rock that only Arthur can withdraw.  Then he lets it be known that whosoever removes the blade will rule all of England, and invites any man who would dare, to try to pull out the sword, but then someone else pulls the sword out first . . .

“A subtle, many-layered tale.  It is, as the book’s ending tells readers, ‘an old story but a good one,’ and Yolen does it honor.” -- Voice of Youth Advocates