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MIDDLE AGES BOOKLIST — 1000-1400 A.D.
Our Medieval History Book List includes literature for children and teens based on important people and events in a typical study of the Middle Ages. The titles are organized by general topics on one page and then chronologically on the next two pages, and include both historical fiction and nonfiction. Access the complete World History list by clicking on the menu to the left for selections from other time periods or historical eras. Each book is linked to one of our affiliates, primarily so you can see pictures, further description, and more information. If you choose to purchase, please consider doing so through one of these links! Thanks!
MIDDLE AGES 1000's: Norman Invasion, 1066, & William the ConquerorHarald the Ruthless: The Saga of the Last Viking Warrior by Andrea Hopkins, illus. Leo Duranona. UE+ Story originates from a Viking saga, written down c. 1230. Harald's climax was his fateful invasion of England in 1066. Historical details are included in boxes to the side and a separate section at the end.The King's Shadow by Elizabeth Alder. JH+ Terrific story, giving an up-close & personal look at the king of England who was conquered at the Norman Invasion. Dramatically portrays how social class affected one's life. Recommended. The Norman Conquest by C. Walter Hodges. UE+ Short story with lots of color illustrations. Loaded with information, yet still fun to read. The Striped Ships by Eloise McGraw. JH+ The Norman invasion forever changed the privileged world of a thane's daughter. This intriguing story also incorporates the Bayeux Tapestry, dramatizing its probable origin and the history it portrays. Caution: In Chapter 1 the heroine narrowly escapes being physically accosted by a Norman soldier; however, it is vague enough to be read without trauma. The Tower of London by Leonard Everett Fisher. Macmillan Publishing Co., 1978. E-UE+ William the Conqueror began building the Tower, although it changed greatly and served many different purposes through the years. This book reveals its intriguing past. Large illustrations on every page. William the Conqueror by Robert Green. Franklin Watts, 1998. UE+ Well done, like all of Green's biographies. Photographs of artwork, statues, or places illustrate every page. Also briefly reviews England before William. MIDDLE AGES 1100's: British MonarchyKing Stephen, 1140 The Winter Hare by Joan Elizabeth Goodman. Houghton Mifflin Co., 1996. UE+ When King Henry dies, a civil war rages in England as his daughter Matilda tries to regain her crown from his nephew Stephen. In this story a young boy trains for knighthood and proves his worth in his loyalty to his queen. (see sequel Peregrine under "Middle Ages 1100's: Religion") King Henry II & Eleanor of Aquitaine; Thomas a Becket Becket, VIDEO, starring Richard Burton & Peter O'Toole. Caution: See your favorite video review site for possible objectionable elements. Eleanor: Crown Jewel of Aquitaine, France, 1136 (The Royal Diaries) by Kristiana Gregory. E-UE The Hidden Treasure of Glaston by Elanore M. Jewett. UE+ Newbery Honor. A young boy in England looks for artifacts of King Arthur. Set in the uncertain times of King Henry's feud with Thomas a Becket. If All the Swords in England: A Story of Thomas Becket by Barbara Willard, illus. Robert M. Sax. UE+ The feud between King Henry and Thomas a Becket set the stage for this story. The Lion in Winter, VIDEO, starring Katherine Hepburn & Peter O'Toole. JH+ Depicts Henry II and his family with all of their problems. He has imprisoned his wife Eleanor, while his mistress and sons vie for his favor and a share of his kingdom. Lots of conversation, and not much action, but gives a good picture of castles, medieval life, and the monarchy of the time. Caution: In one scene Philip of France discusses his previous homosexual relationship with one of the sons; however, this can be easily fast forwarded. The movie also depicts Henry's open unfaithfulness to his wife. Murder in the Cathedral by T.S. Eliot. HS The murder of Thomas a Becket. A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver by E.L. Konigsburg. Atheneum, 1973. JH+ Eleanor of Aquitaine is portrayed as waiting with her her mother-in-law (Empress Matilda) for Henry II to join them in Heaven—if he is able to come. She and Matilda, along with a knight and an abbot, reflect back on their lives on earth & tell their stories. Queen Eleanor: Independent Spirit of the Medieval World by Polly Schoyer Brooks. JH+ Walk through the fascinating life of Eleanor of Aquitaine, wife of 2 kings and mother of 2 others. Most illustrations are from medieval manuscript paintings. Recommended. King Richard the Lion Hearted & King John See MIDDLE AGES 1100's: Robin Hood & Religion & The Crusades Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott. HS A classic tale of brave knights and chivalry, set in England when John tried to take the throne during Richard's absence. For the UE-JH student, try this adaptation with fabulous illustrations: Ivanhoe by Marianne Mayer, illus. John Rush. 2004. The Magna Charta by James Daugherty. JH+ Answers the why and how of the Magna Carta. Explains King John's monarchy, his unfair practices, and why he signed an agreement he did not want to sign. Recommended. Magna Carta by C. Walter Hodges. Coward-McCann, Inc., 1966. UE+ History of the document told in story format, with lots of color drawings. Loaded with information. The Story of Liberty by Charles Coffin. Maranatha Publications, orig. pub. 1879. JH-HS Starts with John Lackland, and continues on until the Pilgrims, defining the meaning of liberty, and showing the hand of God in history. Also tells of the Inquisition. Lots of illustrations and intriguing side to history not found anywhere else.
MIDDLE AGES 1100's: Robin HoodThe Adventures of Robin Hood by Roger Lancelyn Green. UE+Classic Robin Hood! The Adventures of Robin Hood, VIDEO, starring Errol Flyn and Olivia de Havilland. 1937. Caution: See your favorite video review site for possible objectionable elements. Favorite Medieval Tales (see Middle Ages: General Topics: Medieval Life) The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood: Of Great Renown, in Nottinghamshire by Howard Pyle. C. Scribner's Sons, 1933. UE+ Another classic Robin Hood story! Unjustly forced into an outlaw's life, he leads his merry men in helping others. Reveals the often corrupt power of the sheriff and the nobility. Robin Hood, retold by Carol Heyer. Ideals Children's Books, 1993. E-UE+ Ends happily with Robin Hood meeting King Richard. Plenty of colorful illustrations. DK Readers: Robin Hood (Level 4: Proficient Readers). Dorling Kindersley. E-UE Robin's Country by Monica Furlong. Alfred A. Knopf, 1995. UE A young boy finds refuge in Sherwood Forest from his cruel past. He grows to trust Robin Hood and his men as he struggles to find his own identity.
MIDDLE AGES 1100's: Religion & The Crusades (1148-49 & 1190-93)Minstrel In The Tower by Gloria Skurzynski. E-UEAn adventure story starring two brave children. Shows the Crusades' impact on a family in Britain. Also give a glimpse of peasant drudgery vs. noble privilege. Francis: The Poor Man of Assisi by Tomie de Paola. Holiday House, 1982. E-UE Depicts St. Francis' life of poverty in devotion to God. Dramatizes him as a worker of miracles, to the point that he supernaturally receives Christ's crucifixion wounds in his hands, feet, & sides. Peregrine by Joan Elizabeth Goodman. Houghton Mifflin Co., 2000. JH+ A young widow flees her problems and a feared forced marriage by going on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. See prequel: The Winter Hare under "King Stephen: 1140". The Ramsay Scallop by Frances Temple. Orchard Books, 1994. JH+ Thomas returns from the Crusades disillusioned, and dreading his upcoming pre-arranged marriage. His future wife's feelings are mutual. A village priest steps in to help and arranges for a (chaste) pilgrimage for the two to atone for the sins of the village. Note: Can be read with the Canterbury Tales (see MIDDLE AGES 1300's: Chaucer). Richard the Lionheart and the Crusades (Life and Times Series) by Christopher Gibb, illus. Gerry Wood. The Bookwright Press, 1985. UE-JH A bit "textbook-y", but this is one of the few books that describe the what, who, and why of ALL the Crusades, even the lesser known Children's Crusade. The Road to Damietta by Scott O'Dell. JH-HS Historical fiction of St. Francis of Assisi. Not yet reviewed. The Talisman by Sir Walter Scott. HS Classic tale of King Richard and the Crusades. MIDDLE AGES 1100's: ByzantiumAnna of Byzantium by Tracy Barrett UE+Not yet reviewed. MIDDLE AGES 1200's: Marco Polo, the Silk Road, & the Far EastChingis Khan by Demi. Henry Holt and Co., 1991. E-UE
Follow the life of the legendary leader who united the Mongols to conquer much of the East. Illustrated with an oriental flair. Caution for the sensitive child: Mentions that he kills his half-brother for stealing food, and later an adversary is suffocated (to avoid shedding blood). Everyone Knows What a Dragon Looks Like  by Jay Williams, illus. Mercer Mayer. Four Winds Press, 1976. E-UE
When warned that the "Wild Horsemen of the North" were coming, a Chinese city is saved by its most humble citizen. Delightful & award-winning tale woven within an historical setting! The Great Wall: The Wonders of the World Series by Elizabeth Mann, illus. Alan Witschonke. Mikaya Press, 1997. UE+ Surrounded with Chinese history, starting with the Mongol's persistent attacks, the text explains why the Wall was built on to why it was stopped. He Went With Marco Polo by Louise Andrews Kent, illus. C. Leroy Baldridge & Paul Quinn. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1935. UE-JH+ The traveling companion of Marco adventures with the Tartars, meets the Kublai Khan, and returns home loaded with rich treasure and extravagant tales. The Khan's Daughter: A Mongolian Folktale by Lawrence Yep, illus. Jean & Mou-Sien Tseng. Scholastic Press, 1997. E-UE This story acquaints the reader with the Mongolian culture and the lavish court of a khan. Fun. Marco Polo by Gian Paolo Ceserani, illus. by Piero Ventura. G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1977. UE+ The Mongols in China and Kublai Khan are also explained in this account of Marco's travels. Colored line drawings illustrate, and a simple map is inside both covers. Marco Polo by C. P. Graves. Favorite of many Christian homeschoolers. Black & white illustrations. Marco Polo: His Notebook by Susan L. Roth. Doubleday, 1990 E-UE A fictional diary, based on stories from his own book. Fun, easy-to-read adventure story, despite its lack of colorful illustrations. Marco Polo: Marco Polo and the Silk Road to China (Exploring the World)  by Michael Burgan. Compass Point Books, 2002. UE-JH
One of the more thorough books on the life and impact of Marco Polo, with plenty of photos and illustrations. A Samurai Castle (Inside Story series) by Fiona MacDonald. The Silk Route: 7,000 Miles of History by John S. Major, illus. Stephen Fieser. HarperCollins, 1995. E-UE Each two-page spread describes yet another stop on the Silk Road, giving a good overall picture of how it connected the cultures of the Far East with those of Byzantium in the West. MIDDLE AGES 1200's: Scottish Rebellion & William Wallace, 1296-1305The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli. UE+With his father fighting for the king in Scotland, an English nobleman's son faces challenges of his own. The story incorporates the Black Death and also portrays a castle under attack. Braveheart, VIDEO, starring Mel Gibson. 1995. JH+ William Wallace leads the Scottish Rebellion against England to restore Robert the Bruce to the Scottish throne. Caution: Rated R. Excessive violence. See your favorite video review site for other possible objectionable elements. In Freedom's Cause : A Story of Wallace and Bruce by G. A. Henty. JH+ Click on About the Books to read the general review of stories by G.A. Henty. The Scottish Chiefs by Jane Porter. JH+ First published in 1809, this book took Europe by storm, lasting through the years as the classic story of a Scottish hero. Wallace surmounted incredible odds to lead the Scots against England, climaxing with Robert the Bruce crowned to his rightful Scottish throne. Occasional footnotes document authenticity of details. The current (1921) edition retains its beautiful illustrations. MIDDLE AGES 1200's - 1300's: AfricaMansa Musa: The Lion of Mali by Khephra Burns, illus. Leo & Diane Dillon. UE-JH
An advanced picture book tells of one of the great rulers of the empire of Mali. Mansa Musa amazed the countries of his day with his splendor and wealth. Beautiful illustrations. The Spider Weaver: A Legend Of Kente Cloth  by Margaret Musgrove & Julia Cairns. The Blue Sky Press, 2001. K-UE
The origins of Kente cloth is based in this legend, delightfully told and illustrated. (Note: The exact date of its origin is uncertain, ranging from the 11th to the 17th centuries. The book is placed here for ease of reference.) Sundiata: Lion King of Mali  by David Wisniewski. Clarion Books, 1992. E-UE
Predecessor to Mansa Musa, Sundiata overcame great odds to become king of the Malian empire. Picture book with magnificent paper cut illustrations. MIDDLE AGES 1200's - 1300's: European Culture14th Century Towns edited by John D. Clare.
MIDDLE AGES 1300's: Chaucer & the Canterbury TalesCanterbury Tales, adapted by Barbara Cohen. UE+Selected tales told in modern English. Illustrated. Caution: Tales include spousal abuse and immorality. Chanticleer and the Fox by Chaucer, illus. by Barbara Cooney. Thomas Y. Crowell Co., 1958. E-UE+ A Chaucer story for all ages. Includes a lesson to be learned at the end. Fun! Favorite Medieval Tales (see Middle Ages: General Topics: Medieval Life) A Selection from the Canterbury Tales retold by Selina Hastings. UE+ Selected tales are easy to read, with colorful illustrations. Caution: Several tales detail the unfaithfulness of spouses and similar immorality. MIDDLE AGES 1300's: ReformationThe Beggars Bible by Louise Vernon(John Wycliffe) Morning Star of the Reformation by Andy Thomson. BJU Press. JH+ (John Wycliffe) |
 
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by Avi. Hyperion. UE+
