title: Quest for a Kelpie (Classic Kelpies)
author: Frances Hendry
description: <B>Frances Mary Hendry</B> won the first BBC Quest for a Kelpie competition and has gone on to write more than a dozen books for childrenmost recently the <I>Gladiatrix</I> trilogy. She lives in Nairn, Scotland.
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  ![](Images/image00170.jpeg)
  
  **Tamora Pierce**
  
   _ **Protector of the Small 03**_
  
   **Squire**
  
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  **"My lord only took you, because he felt sorry** _ ****_**for you."**
  
  When Keladry of Mindelan is chosen by the legendary Lord Raoul to be his
  squire, the conservatives of the realm hardly think she's up to the job. But
  Kel quickly proves her mettle as a jouster, warrior, and guardian of a fiery
  griffin, earning respect and admiration among the men, not to mention the
  affection of a fellow squire. As she deals with the challenges of a new
  romance and a life in the royal guard, Kel also prepares for the infamous
  "Ordeal", the last challenge that stands between her and her dream of
  knighthood…
  
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  **ISBN 0-679-88916-7**
  
   **Copyright © 2001 by Tamora Pierce.** _ ****_
  
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  _**This e-book is not for sale!!!**_
  
   **ACKNOWLEDGMENTS**
  
  My most heartfelt thanks for this goes to my wonderful editrix, Mallory Loehr,
  who gave me another hundred pages 