Set in the fourteenth century, the classic story of one boy's personal heroism when he loses the use of his legs.
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"I would have only given this one a 3, but Owen liked it more than I did. There was just something missing for me that I would have expected to be present in a Newbery award winner. The symbolism of the actual door was good, but I found it hard to identify with the main character's struggles. I also like that she used an old, authentic way of writing a Medieval story."
— Debbie (4 out of 5 stars)
" I don't remember it much, but the part I do remember was PRETTY BORING!!! "
— Meredith, 2/1/2014" A very sweet children's story. I don't know how accurate is historically, but it is well written. "
— Hannah, 1/29/2014" HATE! HATE! HATE! HATE! HATE! To clarify...HATED IT! Ok so I was willing...totally willing to give this dumb book a chance, what do I get? THIS! The kid got sick and because in that time there were very little cures for anything, especially serious illnesses, the kid is now a cripple. He is a brat. The book clearly states that. I can't remember whether directly or indirectly. But ANYHOW he is such a brat that he scares away anybody and everybody willing to help him or care for him...Oh yha and his parents are important people so their off helping with a war effort. Oh did I mention there was a war? I'm pretty sure there was a war. The kid wanted so bad to fight in the same war his daddy was figting in so he was REALLY frustrated at being bed-ridden. After everybody had fled the house in terror he realized he coudn't do anything. OOPS! He's helpless. What does he do now? Why he waits for a creepy monk named John to take pity on him. A bunch of stuff happens and the kid is now at the monistary and is learning how to read, carve, write, and best of all, hobble. Yup. Our poor little cripple is now on crutches. AND swimming. So after all this happens the kid wants to see his dad since he's been writing letters and his dad says it's ok for him to come up. John 'go in the wynd' (I'm not kidding) and some crazy dude that plays a harp go on a trip. So after all their scary adventures and avoiding being killed on the way to their destination they FINALLY get there. So then there is a ambush. AFTER their in the castle type place. Everybody's going crazy. Theirs fog and no one knows where their coming from. So the kid takes it UPON HIMSELF (Brave kid you got sir...also slightly stupid) to go to his friend about 5 miles away and tell him about the attack so they can save the day. So this little 10 year old is waling around in crutches in the fog...maybe heading straight towards a attack. No matter. He avoids all THAT and gets there safe and sound. He saves the day. Says a friendly hi to his parents. And gets congratalations from the King. What a couple months! "Kid, you must me tired. What can I get you? Oh... your fine? Oh you already got a medal. Well ok then. Let me know if you need anything." *Quietly walks away from the house while "accidently" dropping a lit cigerette.* So basically this book has everything. Bad writing, a stupid character, boring plot, creepy characters. What more could you ask for. The moral of this review: DON'T BOTHER! - Sentiments brought to you by your friendly neighborhood book worm "
— MizziQ, 1/18/2014" This book was okay. It's main merit was that it was about the success of a child with special needs. "
— Emily, 1/3/2014" Read this again with Nathan and Katya. "
— Michelle, 12/22/2013" Okay, so while not overall impressed, this strikes me as the sort of book I would have enjoyed circa second or third grade. Our protagonist, Robin, is far from perfect (and, in fact, has a huge impediment--literally--in that he cannot walk and must learn reliance and independence apart from his station in life). I would have been engrossed by the novelty of the Middle Ages presented in something other than a fairy tale. The illustrations are novel (haha) and very realistic--I would have loved knowing what my characters looked like. A very enjoyable book, but alas I am no longer in third grade. I'm likely to recommend this to some of that age I do know, though. "
— Handan, 12/21/2013" Simple with a good message. "
— Karri, 12/14/2013" What a terrific book! I love the empowerment for the young reader this book carries. It was a fun, quick read. "
— Kena, 11/26/2013" It's always a fun read. :) "
— Tatra, 9/28/2013" One of my favorite books from third grade. Reread it this weekend and still enjoyed it. "
— Noel, 9/21/2013Roger Rees, Welsh stage, film, and television actor and, more recently, narrator of audiobooks, is known on both sides of the Atlantic. In the United States he received a Tony Award for the Broadway production of Nicholas Nickleby. American TV viewers are familiar with Roger from Cheers, in which he played Robin Colcord. As for audiobooks, Roger has performed in a wide variety of programs, from the LA Theatre Works’ production of Lady Windmere’s Fan, to mystery anthologies such as Malice Domestic and thrillers like Pop Goes the Weasel. His audiobook narration has won four AudioFile Earphones Awards.