For the child who dreams of a life beyond expectations and yearns for adventure, this story celebrates bravery, self-discovery, and challenging norms to forge your own path.
A parent might reach for this book when their child feels boxed in by expectations or is questioning traditional gender roles. Alanna: The First Adventure is a classic fantasy about a girl who desperately wants to be a knight, a role reserved for boys in her world. She cleverly switches places with her twin brother, who wants to study magic at a convent. Disguised as a boy named Alan, she endures rigorous training, bullying, and the constant fear of discovery to pursue her dream. The story champions themes of bravery, perseverance, and forging your own identity against societal pressure. It's a perfect read for early teens, offering a powerful role model who achieves success not through prophecy, but through sheer grit and determination.
The core plot is driven by institutional sexism and rigid gender roles which the protagonist defies.
Romantic ContentMild
Features some innocent crushes and early romantic tension.
Sensitive Topics
The book's primary sensitive topic is identity, specifically gender identity as it relates to societal roles. The approach is direct: Alanna is a girl who must live as a boy to gain access to opportunities. This is presented as a challenge to overcome, not as an exploration of being transgender. The resolution is hopeful, as she succeeds in her goals, but the core conflict of her disguise remains. It also deals directly with bullying (physical and emotional) and has a key scene where Alanna experiences her first menstruation, which is treated from a practical and fearful perspective due to her disguise. Violence is medieval in nature (swordplay, fistfights) but not graphic.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a 12 to 14-year-old who feels like an outsider or is frustrated by social limitations, particularly gender stereotypes. They are likely a fan of fantasy and adventure who craves a relatable, flawed protagonist who succeeds through hard work rather than destiny. This book is perfect for a reader who is beginning to question the 'rules' of the world and needs a hero who successfully breaks them.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared to discuss sexism and gender roles, as these are the central conflict. It might be helpful to preview Chapter 5, "The First Test," which deals with Alanna's first period and her panic at this very real complication to her disguise. The book can otherwise be read cold, as it does an excellent job of world-building. A parent might be triggered to find this book after their child expresses frustration with gender-based expectations, for example, saying "girls can't do that" or being told they can't participate in an activity. It's also relevant for a child who is being bullied or feels they have to hide a part of themselves to fit in.
Age Experience
A younger reader (12) will primarily connect with the adventure plot: the secret identity, the sword fighting, making friends, and defeating the bully. They will see it as a story of a girl proving she is as good as the boys. An older reader (15-16) will grasp the deeper social critique of gender roles, the nuances of political intrigue, and the complexities of Alanna's internal struggle between her identity as Alanna and her persona as Alan.
What Makes It Special
Originally published in 1983, this book is a foundational text in YA fantasy and the 'girl warrior' trope. What makes it unique, especially compared to many modern fantasies, is its focus on earned skill over prophecy. Alanna is not 'the chosen one.' She is short, often angry, and succeeds through relentless, painful, and unglamorous hard work. This gritty realism makes her triumphs incredibly satisfying and her character deeply inspiring.
Read plot summary
Determined to become a knight instead of a lady, Alanna of Trebond switches places with her twin brother, Thom. She travels to the capital disguised as Alan to train as a royal page, while he goes to the convent to study magic. At the palace, Alanna struggles to keep up physically with the boys and faces intense bullying from a rival page, Ralon. She forms key friendships with Prince Jonathan, the charming thief George Cooper, the knightly Sir Myles, and others. While learning the ways of a warrior, she must also hide her gender, suppress her magical Gift, and navigate the beginnings of courtly intrigue.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Alanna and Thom switch places to follow their dreams. Why do you think the rules about what boys and girls could do were so strict in their world? Do we have any rules like that today?
2
Throughout the book, Alanna deals with bullies like Ralon. How does her way of handling them change from the beginning to the end? Do you think she made the right choices?
3
Alanna's most loyal friends, like Jonathan and George, don't know she is a girl. Do you think their friendships would be different if they knew her secret? Why or why not?
4
Alanna has a magical Gift, but she is often afraid to use it. Why do you think she is scared of this part of herself, and what does that tell you about her character?
5
Sir Myles tells Alanna, 'It is not the deed but the intention that makes a man.' What do you think he means by this, and how does it apply to Alanna's journey?
