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A crippled boy in fourteenth-century England proves his courage and earns recognition from the King.
Robin is the young son of Sir John de Bureford, a nobleman of London, England, in the early 1400s. Ever since he can remember, has been told what is expected of him as the son of a nobleman to learn the ways of knighthood. His father is off fighting the Scottish wars and his mother is away attending to the Queen who becomes ill during an outbreak of the plague. Robin himself is to be taken to the castle of his cousin Sir Peter de Lindsay to serve as a squire but becomes ill and loses the use of his legs. Fearing the plague, all the servants abandon him and some even die, so Robin is left alone. A monk named Brother Luke rescues the boy and takes him to the hospice of St. Mark's, where he is taught woodcarving. With the help of the monks, Robin learns patience and strength. Brother Luke tells him, "Thou has only to follow the wall far enough and there will be a door in it."<BR/> While still suffering from crooked feet and lameness, Robin eventually gains sufficient strength and learns to walk with crutches, so that he can be taken by Brother Luke and the minstrel John-go-in-the-Wynd to the Castle Lindsay. They experience many exciting adventures along the way, but Robin continually wonders what his father will think of him in his weakened condition, since he can never become a knight. After they arrive at the castle, it is attacked by the Welsh. Is there anything that Robin, who cannot mount a house and ride off into battle, might do to find a "door in the wall" that will help save the townspeople and earn the respect of his father? This is a genuinely moving story which won the 1950 Newbery Medal.<BR/> Robin's attitude at the beginning, and even after he first becomes ill, is somewhat selfish and even whiny as one might expect from the spoiled son of a nobleman, but he certainly learns better as a result of his sufferings and his effort to overcome them. Many good character traits are exemplified. Each one of us has some kind of handicap or disability, and what happens Robin teaches us that rather than feeling sorry for ourselves or worse yet complaining about our lot, we should be looking for "the door in the wall" that will enable us to do what we can. The only objection is a few references to drinking ale. Also some common Roman Catholic concepts and practices of the day are mentioned, but these show how important religion was during that time. We did this as a family read aloud, and all of us really liked it.
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 1, 2012
This is one of my favourite books from childhood so I was delighted tofind it available for nook. Now I can share this wonderful story with my children. So many of this authors excellent books are out of print I hope that more will become available on nook.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 3, 2012
Read it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 1, 2013
I have to read this for school but i would never read it unless i had to. Its really short and easy to read but VERY VERY boring! This is supose to be a childrens book but i dont think any little kid could stay awake during the book. I didnt. I read the book half asleep. DO NOT READ UNLESS REQUIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 30, 2013
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.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 7, 2012
Really expensive!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 20, 2012
I cant buy it!!!!!!
1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 10, 2012
not that i want to be mean but *deap breath* unless your older than 30 dont wast your money this book puts you to sleep faster than knockout gas
1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 3, 2012
Worst book ever! Borring from the start! Do not wast uour money on this book!
1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 24, 2012
I love to read how "crookshanks" recovers his strenght, and becomes a knight.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 13, 2013
Thos bopk os junk itshould be in the trash not tje library it was like a compact pf page full of pure torture i would rate it 0 stars if i cod
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Posted April 2, 2013
I really liked the story in general. It made me use my imagination about the buildings. The time period has castles and knights. My favorite part was the ending when Robin is reunited with his parents.
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Posted February 21, 2013
Never read it but my teacher says its really good......
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 12, 2012
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0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 19, 2012
Bad BADBADBADBADBAD
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 7, 2012
Is boring!!!! I fell asleep!!!
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 2, 2012
I am being forced to read this book and it is very bad.you can bairly see the pictures and it is boar ing!plus i have not had bacon sience last sun day. P.s i put on a star but this book does NOT need it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 25, 2009
Even though this book is short, it seems to take longer because of the way the characters speak. The characters were wholesome (Brother Luke, mostly) and the plot line was interesting. Settings may be confusing at times, but thoroughly well written. I have nothing harsh to say. This book was worth the time.
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Posted March 31, 2009
I.m sorry but I did not buy this book
0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 5, 2009
I read the book the door in the wall.The door in the wall is a great book.It's about a boy named Robin. Robin is a kid that was sent away when he was 10.After he was sent away he got verry ill.He met a guy named Brother Luke who took him in.Later John-go-in-the-wynd came to tell Brother Luke about robins new home.Brother, Robin, and John-go-in-the-wynd set offto the new home.Will they get their safly?<BR/><BR/>I'd give this book 5 stars.It is a good book and the lesson teaches you something.I like it also because it is easy to read and it has some old words. I think readers 10+ would enjoy reading it.
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Overview
A monk named Brother Luke rescues Robin and takes him to the hospice of St. Mark's, where he is taught woodcarving ...