The Sea of Trolls
by Nancy Farmer · The Sea of Trolls trilogy series · Grade 5-8 · Ages Ages 10-14
Jack is an 11-year-old boy in a Saxon village who becomes the apprentice to a wise bard. When Viking raiders arrive and take Jack and his little sister far from home, Jack must use his courage and his new magical learning in a strange northern world.
Key vocabulary
A bard is a storyteller, poet, or singer who shares tales and songs. In stories, a bard may also know old wisdom or magic.
An apprentice is someone who learns a skill by working with a teacher. Jack becomes an apprentice to a bard.
A rune is an old letter or symbol used long ago. In some myths, runes can feel mysterious or magical.
A fjord is a long, narrow sea inlet with steep land on both sides. It is like a skinny arm of the ocean reaching into the land.
A berserker is a fierce Viking fighter from old stories. The word can mean someone who acts wildly and fearlessly.
A thrall was a person who was not free in some old societies. The word appears in historical stories about Vikings and Saxons.
A monastery is a place where monks live, work, and pray. It is often quiet and set apart from busy towns.
A troll is a creature from old northern folktales. Trolls are often big, strange, and not quite like humans.