The Legend of Tarik

By Walter Dean Myers

Book Overview

After witnessing the annihilation of his people by El Muerte's legions, young Tarik undergoes the training which will enable him to destroy this fierce leader. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0590444263
• ISBN13: 9780590444262
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.24 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.0" x 0.5" x 4.5"

Customer Reviews

Subtle, thought-provoking, and yes, educational

I read this book on my own in elementary school, as a straight fantasy, and barely realized the main character was black because I identified with him so much and so closely. I read it again in high school, and was struck by the use of a black hero to break down stereotypes, and also by the fact that Walter Dean Myers seemed to use some Spanish words in his "fantasy" landscape. In COLLEGE I read this book after taking a course on the epics of medieval Spain and hit myself on the forehead. NOTHING in the setting is fantastic (although some of the story is). Alkebu-lan, the silent gold traders, and the Spaniards across the water, are ALL historical. What Myers has done is a brilliant reversal of the story of El Cid and the "reconquista" stories of Spain. More than that, "Tarik" is a form of "Tariq." The place where he landed is known to this day as "Tarik's Rock" - "Jeb-el-Tariq" - better known as Gibraltar. Hats off to Walter Dean Myers for creating an amazing "fantasy" world, which is also absolutely grounded in real geography and history. Never mind that Stria is one of the most haunting characters I have met, and that Nongo and Docao and Capa with his "fat wife" move me to tears. A brilliant, brilliant, underrated book. Why isn't it easier to find?

A great book!

This was a favourite book of mine when I was about eleven. I read it a few times I believe. It's the story of a young man, orphaned and left behind with a great destiny. And there were a number of things he had to learn before he could defeat the villain. Ultimately he had to learn how to be a master of himself. When I was young, the character appealed to me very much and I somewhat aspired to be like him. I would like to read it again now, if I can find it one of these days. Enjoy! I strongly reccomend it! :)

A good book to get young readers interested...

This book intrigued me when I was in a used bookstore and read the cover. It stated, "Tarik is as valiant as King Arthur and as brave as Luke Skywalker". Well, that made me laugh, and the cover was typical of YA fantasy with its noble knight riding a warhorse. So, just for chucks (read Stephen King's IT, to understand that reference) I bought it. Well, the book surprised me because the hero was a young black man. I was not expecting this in the least. I think that the plot is simple enough for anyone above the age of eleven to comprehend, and it is exciting enough to keep anyone interested. I suggest this book to anyone who is wanting to get youths to read. Also, since the character is a Black, it exposes children to new views. I am sure that most kids think of heroes in books as white, but this book breaks down that barrier.

Classroom reading

I have read it in the classroom with my other 7th grade students. This book was a simple outline with great detail, but I have not learned anything from this book, nor did I think it was extremely suspensful. To any reader, I suggest you take a peek. To a younger reader, pulling out a cyclop's eye, getting your father killed, might be a tad bit too... "creepy" maybe?

An adventurous book for everyone.

The book I read was called The Legend of Tarik. It was about a young man that lived during midieval times. Their land was under attack by an evil army. Tarik's quest was to defeat the evil learder and bring pece to the land. To do this, he had to get a sword, shield, and a crystal. All of these items were magical and hidden in different places, each gaurded by an evil creature. He also had to find, capture, and tame a certain powerful wild stalion. In short, he got all the items, and the horse, and went on to defeat the evil leader. My faivorite part was when he ripped out the cyclops's eye to get the sword.