Squire: Book 3 of the Protector of the Small Quartet
In Book 3 of Tamora Pierce'sProtector of the Smallsequence, 14-year-old Keladry of Mindelan is ready to begin training as a  squire after undergoing four grueling years as the first girl to be  officially educated as a page. Disappointed at first that Lady Alanna  (whom we first met in the Song of the Lioness Quartet series) does not  choose her, Kel is delighted when gruff, good-natured, down-to-earth Lord  Raoul takes her on. The next four years prove to be tough but happy, for  the most part, as Raoul and most of the others in the King's Own (a corps  of 300 men--299 now, plus Kel--that enforces the law and helps local  nobles deal with problems such as centaur attacks and forest robberies)  treat Kel as an equal. Throughout, Kel is physically and mentally  preparing herself for the final test in the Chamber of the Ordeal, in  which fourth-year squires must successfully face their greatest fears  before becoming knights.In this sequel toFirst  Test: Protector of the SmallandPage: Protector of the  Small, Kel continues to be an admirable role model: stoutly  loyal, strong, independent, honest, yet very real in her fears and  weaknesses. Romance lurks for the budding adolescent as she develops a  crush on one fellow and begins a sweet kissing-only relationship with  another, after a very frank discussion about sex with her mother.  Although the buildup to the Ordeal is watered down a bit by Kel's  periodic visits to the Chamber door for a taste of what's to come,  overall, this latest in Pierce's series is a rousing tale of chivalry and  heroism that any reader will be sorely challenged to put down. (Ages 12  and older)--Emilie Coulter--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.