The White Dove

CoverThe old ways are over, Tasha. You must now face the reality that those who wish only for comfort are not to be trusted.

As they take refuge in ancient caves and dense forests, cross cold rapids, and travel by the dark of night, Tasha-together with the wanderer Ari, the kitchen boy Gil, and the small child Raina-flee a repressive kingdom. Their journey holds many questions for Tasha. What are the papers they must steal from the Capital? Will they safely reach the Great North river crossing, and will Marko be waiting for them when they do? What secrets does Ari carry, and can Tasha and little Raina trust him?

Here is a story of high adventure, set in a world removed from, but not unlike, our own. Exploring the bonds of family and the tyranny of aristocracy, the novel chronicles a girl's constant struggle to act much braver than she feels.
- Houghton Mifflin Company

About THE WHITE DOVE

The idea for the story of The White Dove came from a dream I had about a young woman trying to escape with a little girl. After the dream I asked why. Why were they escaping? Where were they going? As a result I wrote the first chapter and the last chapter to The White Dove . Once I knew how the story began and how it ended I was able to write the middle.

Reader Reviews

The White Dove is enjoyable, clean reading! I picked up the book intending to read only for a short time but couldn't put it down till I finished it. I promptly handed it to my 16 year-old daughter to read, too. It's an interesting adventure that is free of sex and violence, and one you don't have to worry about your kids reading!
- Louise Erekson

Soon the kingdom of Comnor, which like Narnia exists only in the imagination, will become a free republic, but not before a rebel named Com is removed. Tasha's father abdicated his throne to begin a democratic republic, and Marko has been duly elected its president. In his absence, however, Com has declared himself the new king and has put Tasha and Marko's little sister, Raina, into a compound for political prisoners. When Marko sends the symbol of a white dove, Tasha knows the time has come for her and Raina to flee. Her father's brother, Ari, wearing the disguise of an old man, plans and executes their harrowing escape and their return to Marko-but not before vital state documents are retrieved from a secret bedroom compartment, thus ensuring Com's downfall. Readers will not want to put this book down. Accounts of treachery, deceit, and truth rewarded fill this novel. Escaping from caves and a dungeon, Tasha's determination to oust Com and rejoin the rebels gives her the courage to strive for her personal freedom and the freedom of her country. Boundless determination, hope, and desire put into action-these are the messages here. (Fiction. 11-13)
- Copyright © 2000 Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

For Teachers:
Using THE WHITE DOVE in the Classroom

A. The classroom teacher may have students research the following topics:

Products may be:
  1. Group activity to compare/contrast the various forms of government.
  2. Students may write a paper based on one of the forms of government and compare/contrast to the government referred to in THE WHITE DOVE.
  3. Students can make a poster depicting one of the governments after discussion using THE WHITE DOVE as the basis.

B. What has been the role of Gypsies in Europe or other groups of nomads and wanderers in other areas of the world?

C. Take the story of THE WHITE DOVE and turn it into an epic poem.

D. Discuss the major themes in THE WHITE DOVE.

E. Discuss why symbolism is used in literature.

F. Use statements from the book to use as a writing starter.

G. Discuss underground in France during WWII or the underground railroad before the Civil War.