The Door in the Wall
by Marguerite deAngeli
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 319)
recommends it for:
kids who like historical fiction/people who like underdog heroes
I read this book when I was a kid and I don't remember much about it at this point. As I recall, it's set in the Middle Ages sometime. A boy loses his parents and then he's crippled by some illness. I think he's cared for by a monk for a while. He acted pretty bratty at first, then gradually accepted his condition. I very vaguely remember liking the scenes in which he learned how to swim despite his legs. Eventually, the town or whatever's in danger and he's the only one who can go for hel...more
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Read in March, 2008
recommended to Rhonda by:
Alice
I am in the midst of trying to add more juvenile and young adult titles to my list of books, and while this was a juvenile book and I think is a newbery award, I was not that impressed with it. While the story is nice and talks of a boy Robin who can't walk and teaches a nice lesson in that respect, the storyline had a "knights of the roundtable" feel to me. I don't know of any better way to describe it than that. I personally am not interested in Castles and Knights and that sort o...more
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Read in October, 2007
recommends it for:
big nerds
I can't imagine myself recommending this book to a modern tween. It's full of old-timey language, it's overtly message-y, and where it aims to be an adventure it's pretty tame and predictable.
That said, I think it won the Newberry because the hero is a rich little boy who learns the value of hard work and bravery when a series of unfortunate events leaves him crippled and far from his parents' protection. I was sort of cheering for him in the end, but mostly I just wanted to finish the book...more
That said, I think it won the Newberry because the hero is a rich little boy who learns the value of hard work and bravery when a series of unfortunate events leaves him crippled and far from his parents' protection. I was sort of cheering for him in the end, but mostly I just wanted to finish the book...more
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recommends it for:
anyone who likes historical fiction
this historical fiction novel is set in the medieval times. It is about a young boy named Robin with a dream of becoming a knight. But one day a terrible illness befalls him, and he loses the use of his legs. How can his dream ever come true now when he can't do anything? This is a book about getting past all the obstacles, looking past your disability and finding your "door in the wall"- finding a way past and getting out of the jacket that disabilities bind you in; and following your
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Read in July, 2008
I remember my mom trying to read this to me when I was young. I don't think she ever got through it and I also remember trying to read it once or twice over the years. I saw it on tape and had to listen to it. It was a pretty good book. The main character is really great and it was fun to listen to how he grew and became a talented craftsman.
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Read in April, 2008
I finished reading this today for my book club. It is interesting and enjoyable. It is an easy read, but feels slow and pointless during some parts. It has a good message about not complaining about what we can't do, but simply looking for opportunities (or a "door in the wall") to make ourselves the best we can be and to overcome our trials.
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Read in May, 2008
an older Newbery award book. Wonderfully upbeat. I could 'hear' chanting and bell rining while I read. I also enjoyed the black and white illustrations very much. It reminded me of the books I read as a child. Loved it! It sort of saddens me to think that my kids have never heard the old church bells ringing for joy or sorrow.
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This is a book I read as a child that I enjoy returning to occasionally. The idea that there is always a door in the wall, a way through an obstacle was cheering to me and still is. I probably read it for the first time when I was 7 or 8 years old.
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Read in November, 2007
Young Adult. I wasn't especially impressed with her writing style, but this was a good book to have your 7-8 year old read. A small boy with a physical handicap builds character and finds ways to be useful to those around him. Set in medieval England.
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Read in March, 2008
I didn't really like this book that much. It was pretty boring. Pretty much the only thing I liked about it was the ending....so I could get it over with and start reading Anne of the Island. ;0) Joking, the ending was pretty good.
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Read in January, 1999
2nd time to read this aloud to my children 1999 and 2008. Good role models for a young boy separated from his family during the Medieval plague times. Moral: One door closes another opens, and each opportunity is a door in a wall.
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Read in September, 2007
Reading my way through the Newberrys ...
It felt like it was for a younger audience than more recent Newberry books (more in the 7-8 range), but the prose was charming, as were the illustrations. I'd have my kids read it.
It felt like it was for a younger audience than more recent Newberry books (more in the 7-8 range), but the prose was charming, as were the illustrations. I'd have my kids read it.
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Interesting theme to the book. I think it would make an interesting book club discussion. Did not care for the main character Robin but Brother Luke is a favorite. Short and easy read.
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Read in January, 1990
I had to read this and do a book report on it in 5th grade (approximately). I remember it being the most dry, torturous book I'd read up to that point. I wonder what I'd think of it now?
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recommended to Angela by:
James
recommends it for: People who are interested in Knights
recommends it for: People who are interested in Knights
This is a tail written in the time of knights. It is a classic and still remains one.
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For the older grade-school set (and the young at heart), a compelling introduction to the challenges of the medieval world - as seen through the eyes of a child.
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I would have given this five stars, but my son thought four was more accurate :) This is another excellent adventure story with great character lessons.
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Read in December, 2007
recommends it for:
Medieval fans and Newbury completists
It's a sweet little story with very little plot--just sort of a lot of things happening. It's warm-hearted and I can see how it won the award years ago.
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This was an o.k. book. It was placed in the medieval time period. So if you like kings and queens and monks and nights. This is a book for you!
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Read in March, 2008
The author uses too many big words I don't understand so the book isn't very enjoyable. Although the book does have a good plot.
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