The Life and Medieval Times of Kit Sweetly

The Life and Medieval Times of Kit Sweetly by Jamie Pacton
Published by Page Street Kids on May 5, 2020
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Goodreads

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 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 the Girl Knight won’t go down without a fight. As other wenches 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.

I feel like I haven’t read a young adult contemporary in so long?? But I’m so glad to come back to the genre with this book, because it was so much fun to read! Though it’s a contemporary, it reminded me a lot of the Song of the Lioness series by Tamora Pierce. You know it’s gonna be good when a book reminds you of a favorite!

There are a lot of different aspects to this book. There is obviously the main plot line, that Kit would like to be a knight at the medieval restaurant where she works. Another somewhat side plot line is the fact that Kit and her brother need to work because their family is very poor. So there is a very real and raw discussion about what it’s like to live in those circumstances. There’s also all kinds of relationships! Family, sibling, friends, and romantic interests. It’s really nice to see a book that’s not just focused on the romantic relationship.

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To start: The Fight Against Outdated Company Policies

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The main plot line! Down with stupid corporate policies that are ridiculously gendered and exclusive! This felt very timely and frustrating to read about. Frustrating in the sense that I know it happens in the real world and it’s a problem. Kit knows she’s just as good as any of the boys that are knights, but she’s not allowed to be one simply because she’s a girl. Even if other girls and non-binary folks didn’t want to be knights, it’s terrible that the company doesn’t even give them that option. Which I love that one of the characters mentions this! It’s an important point in a lot of arguments. It’s not that all people want to do a certain thing, but all people should have the option at the very least.

I love how the group of friends works together to scheme on how to FORCE the company to listen to them. That was also frustrating to read though, since it’s like, come on this should be common sense! But even in real life we’re having to fight for things that should just be basic human rights. Bleh. So an important topic to tackle in this book! I keep saying that I feel like. But whatever you get the picture!

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An Unflinching Look at Living While Poor

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I will be honest – I grew up in a fortunate household so I can’t speak to how accurate the depiction of Kit’s family’s money situation was. But it felt very real to me. The book discusses the electricity being shut of for days because of being unable to pay the bills, Kit taking napkins and tampons from restaurants because they can’t afford them, and etc. This is so real for so many people, it’s important to show that in a book.

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Gimme ALL the Relationships!

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There are so many core relationships to this book which is amazing! First, there is the romantic tension and development of the relationship between Kit and her best friend, Jett. It was cute, but kidna felt rushed and not explained well towards the end. Whatever! Still cute. I think I’m more forgiving since it wasn’t that central to the story.

But we also have all of Kit familial relationships! Her sibling relationship with her brother Chris is so pure, and reminds me a lot of how my brother and I are. Super supportive of each other, but still get on each other’s nerves haha. And I love that they worked at the same place.

There is also the terrible relationship they both have with their father – who is honestly a dirtbag and left them and their mother. I think it’s great to show that family is important, but you don’t have to keep them in your life if they are toxic people. In other words, family is important but not all blood is family, and not all family is blood. More complicated is their relationship with their uncle, since he’s not a great person but he’s also their manager at work! It shows how difficult it is to balance that in a workplace environment.

And then there’s all of Kit’s friends! I love that she and her other best friend were so supportive of each other. And I love that a big group of girls and non-binary folks came together to work on becoming knights, and became much better friends in the process.

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In summary, a fun, important, timely book with a plethora of types of relationships that’s a great contemporary read!