Middle Ages YA Diary Series, Sort of Arthurian [s]

[Meg]

The story takes place during the 10th century or so, and there's more than one book to the series. The narrator is a young boy who's being fostered somewhere in England with an uncle or someone (sort of an Arthurian legend feel to it) but the disposition of his parents is never discussed--I think it was forbidden. He writes diary entries that he keeps secret and there's a Merlin-ish character who mentors him when he wanders into town. I think the boy keeps his diary hidden in an upstairs room and there are lots of descriptions of taking care of livestock, doing chores, and getting into trouble; knights and things show up too.

Probably published either late 90s or early 2000s. I read the first two (maybe more?) about 3 years ago. There are simple maps on the inside covers of the hardcover edition.

[Cathy]

Is it the Arthur trilogy by Kevin Crossley-Holland? The first book is The Seeing Stone. Except for the bit about the parents not being involved in the story, it sounds about right.

Oh, in the second book it looks like he goes to begin his "new life as a squire" so perhaps it is the right series.

[Meg]

Yes! That's it precisely, thank you. :)

[Cathy]

Oh good! You're welcome!