SOLVED. Read fictional Black Death book as child. [s]

[Wraithful Reads - Gemma]

I'm completely drawing blanks whenever I search for this book which is confounding considering how much detail I remember about the plot, I'm wondering if someone else has read it and can help!

When I was in Primary school (up to the age of 10 for anybody outside the UK), I read a library book that I remember having a greeny-blue cover with a possibly black outline of a gate and white lettering, but I can't remember the title or author.

The plot is written from the perspective of a young disabled girl during the Black Death in England. The plot points I remember is that she had a harelip and a twisted foot and there was a sort of relationship she had with a young priest who ran away during the plague then came back. The girl possibly lived in a religious institution as an orphan as there's one section of the book where they do a "witch test" on her - pricking with a needle to find a rough patch of skin where the needle hurt less, supposedly that was a sign of a witch.

I read it when I was young and although it sounds quite garish I'm positive it was a children's book as I read it in our school library!

Thanks all :) hope somebody remembers as this is driving me up the wall. Can only assume the book wasn't very popular due to the lack of results I'm finding.

[Kelly]

It sounds like it should be something by Karen Cushman, but I couldn't tell by a quick search. Maybe if you look at the covers of her books, it will jog a memory?

If it helps, I know I read this one too! I just can't recall the author or title either.

[Wraithful Reads - Gemma]

It's the worst isn't it Kelly! It's been driving me mad for ages. Thanks for the tip, I'll have a look!

[Kris]

Author Karen Cushman - Kelly's suggestion

[Wraithful Reads - Gemma]

Looked her up earlier and doesn't seem to be one of her books.

[Trillian]

How long ago were you in Primary School?

At the Sign of the Sugared Plum is a popular plague novel but I don't remember Hannah having a harelip.

Could it be anything on this goodreads list?

[Wraithful Reads - Gemma]

It doesn't look like any of those in the list. :( Don't think it's that one either but thanks!

[Julia ♡ Sarcasm and Romance Addict ♡]

The Way Home by Ann Turner?

"Taunted because of a harelip, Anne has to flee her village, leaving behind everyone and all she has grown to love and hate there. It does not matter the Baron died from the sickness that is sweeping the land, the villagers of Foxleigh blame Anne’s curse."

Or
Precious Bane ?

"Born at the time of Waterloo in the wild country of Shropshire, Prudence Sarn is a wild, passionate girl, cursed with a hare lip -- her 'precious bane'. Cursed for it, too, by the superstitious people amongst whom she lives. Prue loves two things: the remote countryside of her birth and, hopelessly, Kester Woodseaves, the weaver. "

[Wraithful Reads - Gemma]

Thanks Julia those were so close but I don't think they're it! I don't remember the girl having a family in the book; from what I can remember she was orphaned and grew up in a convent or some sort of hyper religious orphanage. Thank you though!

[Wraithful Reads - Gemma]

Bumping this as I’ve still not been able to find it if anyone has any ideas please!

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

It would really help if we knew approximately when you read it. A range of years is fine.

[Wraithful Reads - Gemma]

I’m trying to recall... It’ll have been between 1997 and 2005, when I was in Primary school. Possibly more 2000-2005 as the book was a bit gruesome.

[Kym]

A Story about the Great Plague: Jennet's Tale by Herbie Brennan?

You can see the cover on worldcat -

http://www.worldcat.org/title/story-a...

[Wraithful Reads - Gemma]

YES!! That’s it! Thank you so much Kym!

[Kym]

That's great :)

[Rosa]

Jennet's Tale