Redwall

• Genre: Fiction; middle-grade fantasy/adventure
• Originally Published: 1986
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 800L; grades 5-9
• Structure/Length: 58 chapters with introduction; approximately 352 pages; approximately 10 hours, 41 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The novel is set in the peaceful Redwall Abbey, where anthropomorphic animals live and thrive. When the abbey is threatened by Cluny the Scourge, a fearsome rat warlord, Matthias, a young mouse, works diligently to defend Redwall. As Matthias embarks on a quest to find the legendary sword of Martin the Warrior, he discovers courage, friendship, and the importance of standing up for what is right. The central conflict revolves around Matthias’s journey to protect his home and the clash between good and evil.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes of conflict; danger, violence, and death

Brian Jacques, Author

• Bio: Born 1939, deceased 2011; British author and radio host; best known for his Redwall series, which features tales of valor, camaraderie, and adventure set in a fantasy world of anthropomorphic animals; worked as a merchant marine, a longshoreman, and a folk singer before becoming an author; distinctive narrative voice captured the imaginations of readers of all ages; devoted to his readers; often toured schools to inspire young minds and encourage reading
• Other Works: The Redwall series includes many titles such as Mossflower (1988), Mariel of Redwall (1991), Martin the Warrior (1993), The Bellmaker (1994), The Long Patrol (1997)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• The Nature of Heroism
• The Nature of Villainy
• Competition Versus Cooperation

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Develop an understanding of the social and historical contexts regarding elements of the medieval period that incite Matthias’s conflict.
• Analyze paired texts and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of The Nature of Heroism, The Nature of Villainy, and Competition Versus Cooperation.
• Plan, design, and construct visual media to create a new tapestry for Redwall Abbey based on text details.
• Analyze and evaluate plot and character details to draw conclusions in structured essay responses regarding Matthias’s characterization, Cluny as an antagonist, and other topics.