Life As a Knight: An Interactive History Adventure

by Rachael Hanel

As a knight in medieval Europe, you are sworn to uphold honor and protect the innocent. You bravely face dangerous battles, equipped only with your armor, sword, and superior fighting skills. Will Travel from France to the holy city of Jerusalem as part of the Crusades? Serve at the side of English King Edward III during the Hundred Years’ War? Battle for your way of life in Germany during the Peasants’ War?

Genres: History, Childrens, Juvenile, Choose Your Own Adventure, Nonfiction, Middle Grade

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

I'm a writer and associate professor of creative writing in southern Minnesota, where I was born and raised. WE'LL BE THE LAST ONES TO LET YOU DOWN is my first book for adults. I have written more than 20 books for the children's educational market. My book, NOT THE CAMILLA WE KNEW: ONE WOMAN'S PATH FROM SMALL-TOWN AMERICA TO THE SYMBIONESE LIBERATION ARMY, is forthcoming in December 2022 from the University of Minnesota Press.

Reviews

[Caitlin W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered what it might be like to be a knight? This book allows you to choose your own path through many different possibilities as various kinds of knights. You can be a French knight in 1096, an English knight in 1346, or a German knight in 1525. From that initial decision, you are given more choices to make, each with consequences that might not be exactly what you think. Scattered throughout the text are pictures in varying styles with captions containing facts about the knighthood or the time period. Each path you choose is relatively short, but there is always the option to go back and try the other fork in the road, making this an entertaining and educational diversion for those interested in the knighthood or battles in various European countries. At the end of the book is a final section on the state of knighthood today: now an honorary and symbolic gesture, not at all the same as it used to be. This is followed by a brief timeline of European wars, and questions to aid in thinking about knighthood in its various forms, such as Joan of Arc being a female knight, samurai being a different type of knight, and knights of legend, such as the Knights of the Round Table. Finally, there are print and internet resources for learning more, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index. Recommended for grades 3-6.

[Ezekiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book "Life As A Knight" by Rachael Hanel, is about you, a knight, choosing your path. this book features many realistic features and is really fun to choose a path. This book shows the life of a knight back then and how it was to fight in the battlefield. I would recommend this book to anyone who who loves Knights and the "you choose" books.

[Back · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved that this book took historical events and made it a you choose historical fiction. Many paths lead to death, which was tastefully done for a younger reading crowd. Which is why I would suggest ages 8+. A great way to expand and intrigue readers to learn about history.

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for 8 year olds and up.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite interesting.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our oldest brought this book home from her elementary school library. It's the third You Choose historical adventure book that we've read together and our girls really like them. I remember loving books like this in my childhood and I love that our girls are discovering them as well. I also like that this book has an educational component, teaching about the lives of knights throughout history.

Overall, this is an interesting and very dramatic story. It offers a broader perspective than other history books with characters from different countries and time periods. The book includes nonfiction facts and historical notes, but the storylines are historical fiction, based on people who lived at that time in history.

We enjoyed taking turns following the various paths and our girls were eager to return again and again until we'd followed them all. I am sure that our oldest will bring more books like this home from her school library.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read a "choose your own adventure" book to my kids and this is one of the options from my library. It is essentially historical fiction and sticks to the facts about what is happening around you. Consequently it can be a little dry for kids not interested in the details of history. My daughter, 4, was the only kid who sat down to listen, so I don't think she is a good judge of what others might think. She did stick with me through it and it was amusing to hear her make choices and say things like, "Aid the peasants in their uprising."

[Aaron Sauceda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the book Life as a Knight because it's one of those books where you get to choose your own path. If you don't like the ending you got, you could always go back and change the path. You start off having to choose either being a French knight, a English knight, or a German knight. I will not tell you what path I chose because then that would spoil it. This is a great is a great book and I recommend it to people who like choosing how the story goes.

[Kristen]

My oldest especially loved this choose-your-own-adventure book. It kept him interested, even if the subject matter was a bit over his head at times.

[Regina Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting way to tell a story, I like the style, although it is for much younger audience, it was good.

[Brannigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a lot of fun with the book. It's a great way for kids to live history and learn to make choices. I'd recommend it for grade school level.