The Door in the Wall in Around the World in 80 Books

Jul 24, 2009 Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance rated it really liked it

Shelves: adventure, children-s-books, newbery

Robin, the son of a knight, is all set to set off for the home of a noble lord where he is to begin training as a page. Then tragedy strikes. Robin is beset with an illness that leaves him unable to walk. His servants come down with the plague and he is left alone. Just in time he is rescued by a monk who carries him to safety at a monastery, a monk who helps him find the door in the wall Robin needs to leave his castle home and the doors in the wall Robin needs to find in order to make his life ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Mar 25, 2013 Kimberly rated it liked it

Shelves: library-books-read-2013, 2013-bookshelf, children-s_books, historical-fiction, childrens-historical-fiction, pre-1960s-classic-childrens-book-ch

Yesterday I had the pleasure of finally reading a book that qualifies for my 2013 Pre-1960 Classic Children's Books Reading Challenge that I'm hosting this year and since this is the first book that I read for the challenge I'm glad the one I chose to read was a good one.

The Door in the Wall is a classic piece of historical fiction for children written by Newbury Award winner Marguerite de Angeli and after reading it I can certainly see why it is held in such esteem. The book takes place in Engl Yesterday I had the pleasure of finally reading a book that qualifies for my 2013 Pre-1960 Classic Children's Books Reading Challenge that I'm hosting this year and since this is the first book that I read for the challenge I'm glad the one I chose to read was a good one.

The Door in the Wall is a classic piece of historical fiction for children written by Newbury Award winner Marguerite de Angeli and after reading it I can certainly see why it is held in such esteem. The book takes place in England during the time of the plague in the middle ages and follows the story of young Robin, a 10 year old boy stricken by what I believe (given the symptoms he exhibits) is polio.

When Robin is left in the care of a Friar after the plague sweeps through his father's household he comes to terms with the fact that he will never be a knight but he also learns many lessons about humility, patience, and the value of doing something the hard way and also that just because he's disabled that doesn't mean he still can't accomplish great feats.

This is further proven when later on in the book our young protagonist is the one who saves the day when the castle he has moved to be a ward of a knight friend of his father has come under attack thus earning the love and respect of all around him.

I thought the book held a wonderful message for children that just because you have a perceived disability it doesn't change the fact that if you aspire to greatness you have more chances of achieving it.

The historical setting was wonderfully done, and I loved how even though this was a children's book that the author still wrote the dialogue in the way that people during the time actually spoke to give it that authentic feel. The characters were lovely and I especially Brother Luke for the time he took to teach Robin about the things that really matter in life.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves classic children's books and those who are teachers, librarians, parents, and whoever else has children in their lives to read this to them. It's a great book for kids to read and the message it has is wonderful. This is one that I would say needs a spot on every child's bookcase. ...more

Like · see review

Jun 05, 2015 Jean-Marie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, middle-grade, history, classic, middle-ages

I read this aloud to my 11- and 8-year old to complement our middle ages history lessons. The story is a bit slow in the beginning, and I didn't actually REALLY like it. However, I really liked how it gave us a good idea of what it would have been to live in the Middle Ages/Medieval Times. It gave us insight into the roles of the people, the layout of the villages, the architecture of the castles and churches, and daily life. We also got a good idea of what it was like to live through the Black ...more

Like · see review

Dec 23, 2014 Katie rated it liked it

Shelves: ___europe, female-author, newbery

Meh. 1950 Newbery winner. Robin, a boy living in London during the plague, has lost the use of his legs and is taken in by some monks while his parents are away. When his father says he will meet him at a castle nearby, Robin is accompanied to the castle by several of the monks. Adventures and dangers ensue, and boy bravely rises to the occasion. Pretty boring plot, flat characters, no fun twists or creativity, but nothing I actively disliked. 3 stars by early Newbery standards, 2 by normal stan ...more

Like · see review