book data
377 ratings, 3.54 average rating, 58 reviews
(more data...)
edit
published
August 1993
(first published 1949)
by Dell Publishing Company
binding
Mass Market Paperback
literary awards
Newbery Medal
isbn
044080356X
(isbn13: 9780440803560)
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »
friend reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
This book is currently not featured on any Listopia lists.
Add this book to your favorite list »
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 507)
I wanted to like this more than I did, but found I just couldn't click the 3-star button. The characters were all right, but I didn't find the story very engaging, there were hardly any female characters, and it was a bit message-heavy. As far as boy-in-medieval-times-Newbery-winners go... I preferred ADAM OF THE ROAD.
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
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.
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
2 comments
Read in October, 2008
This is a sweet and simple story of triumph over adversity in a time when answers to illness were rare, wars were plenty and commitment to duty often meant great sacrifice. Lots of hard lessons for a ten year old to learn in any time period and in any culture, but Robin learns his lessons well and in believable ways. The author is almost prosaic in her use of language as the story flows with a lovely rhythm and meter throughout Robin’s adventures. Her mastery of the medieval language structure...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in November, 2008
I almost feel like a traitor because I didn't rate this higher. Reading this to my kids was not very fun for anyone though.
It's a nice enough story but very slow. My kids groaned a few times when I pulled it out. We did learn a bit about the plague and wars and monks and how knights are trained, but we already knew a lot and could have found more in other more interesting books. Mostly this was a book about rising above your challenges and doing the best you can with what you've ...more
It's a nice enough story but very slow. My kids groaned a few times when I pulled it out. We did learn a bit about the plague and wars and monks and how knights are trained, but we already knew a lot and could have found more in other more interesting books. Mostly this was a book about rising above your challenges and doing the best you can with what you've ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in December, 2008
My son (7) really loved this book, and I imagine it is because it allowed him to vicariously experience the adventure and the ancient historical setting. As it basically narrates life without giving lots of emotional commentary on it, it is well suited for this age.
I'd love recommendations from others about similar works.
I'd love recommendations from others about similar works.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
recommended to Soccerfields by:
mom
recommends it for: noone
recommends it for: noone
DO NOT READ THIS BOOK! This is the worst book I've ever read in my whole entire life. If there was a zero star I would rate it a zero star. WARNING: DO NOT READ!
It was an okay story of a wealthy boy in the middle ages. He was crippled and became a hero with help from his friends who were priests.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2009
This is a charming story. I think it a book I will read over and over.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in February, 2008
I chose to listen to this book because I hadn't heard of it and it won a Newberry Medal. A story about a boy named Robin whose parents serve the royalty. He falls ill, and loses the use of his legs, and learns that, even though his destiny has changed, he can learn other things (music, woodcarving) and builds up other parts of his body to be useful. Not sure if this really would have happened in the Middle Ages, as I can't imagine any disability being celebrated at the time. Roger Rees, who ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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 ...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 ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Nice little read to give kids an idea of middle ages daily life. Many talking points and plenty of vocabulary. It also has a nice little lesson--when you run into trouble, look for the door in the wall....demonstrated in many ways. It's an empowerment message. Only 3 stars because I HATED reading it aloud.....Old English dialect and grammar that was very difficult. Kids loved it and have tried to imitate it, though, so I guess it was worth it. It is definitely a 5-star book, just not a 5-s...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in August, 2008
If I had been expecting the kind of book that it is, i would have liked it better. But I had probably just come from reading Fablehaven or something and since this one is called, "a door in the wall" I was looking for fantacy. plus it's written in a sort of medevil time so they talk Shakespeirian-like.
I do have to admit, It was a really good book with a cute story, and good morals.
I do have to admit, It was a really good book with a cute story, and good morals.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
to-read
(on 33 people's shelves)
currently-reading (on 10 people's shelves)
newbery (on 7 people's shelves)
historical-fiction (on 4 people's shelves)
newbery-medal (on 3 people's shelves)
young-adult (on 2 people's shelves)
classics (on 2 people's shelves)
childhood (on 2 people's shelves)
own (on 2 people's shelves)
childrens (on 2 people's shelves)
More shelves...
currently-reading (on 10 people's shelves)
newbery (on 7 people's shelves)
historical-fiction (on 4 people's shelves)
newbery-medal (on 3 people's shelves)
young-adult (on 2 people's shelves)
classics (on 2 people's shelves)
childhood (on 2 people's shelves)
own (on 2 people's shelves)
childrens (on 2 people's shelves)
More shelves...
groups with this book
