Huzzah! I’m so glad to be able to celebrate the release day of Jamie Pacton‘s debut novel THE LIFE AND (MEDIEVAL) TIMES OF KIT SWEETLY.
“A rousing, funny, feminist workplace fantasy that also takes a frank look at modern poverty.” – Kirkus
Moxie meets A Knight’s Tale as Kit Sweetly slays sexism, bad bosses, and bad luck to become a knight at a medieval-themed restaurant.
Working as a Wench—i.e. waitress—at a cheesy medieval-themed restaurant in the Chicago suburbs, Kit Sweetly dreams of being a Knight like her brother. She has the moves, is capable on a horse, and desperately needs the raise that comes with knighthood, so she can help her mom pay the mortgage and hold a spot at her dream college.
Company policy allows only guys to be Knights. So when Kit takes her brother’s place, clobbers the Green Knight, and reveals her identity at the end of the show, she rockets into internet fame and a whole lot of trouble with the management. But this Girl Knight won’t go down without a fight. As other Wenches and cast members join her quest, a protest forms. In a joust before Castle executives, they’ll prove that gender restrictions should stay medieval—if they don’t get fired first.
As a former cast member of the New York Renaissance Faire whose greatest ambition at one time was to both be one of the Queen’s ladies and fight in the Human Chess Match (Spoiler! I did both!), this book hits all my buttons. I love what Jamie has to say about feminism from all perspectives, not just a white, cis, heteronormative point of view.
I also have to direct you to check out Jamie’s brilliant post on Teen Librarian Toolbox that dives deeper into what it means to be the working poor in today’s world. She writes, “I wanted to be honest about poverty and show a character who might look like she’s economically okay—after all, Kit has a house, a job, her brother has a car, and she’s planning on going to college— but just beneath the surface lies a slippery economic slope that threatens to send Kit and her family toppling.” Check it out.
And grab your copy of KIT SWEETLY wherever you buy books!
Bookshop | IndieBound | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Target
