Medieval

A baby princess has just been born to the royal family, but her elder brother the little prince can't understand what all the fuss is about. On one unlucky day the fat royal cat squashes the baby's soft pillow, and the princess can't sleep on it any more. She cries and cries, which prompts the king to send his brave and loyal knight out to the forest to find soft, new stuffing for the pillow. After many an adventure, the knight finally returns with fresh feathers for the princess's special pillow. Will it make her happy again? Will she finally stop crying and let the rest of the family get some sleep? It sounds like a good idea—but the princess isn't soothed. She continues to cry. Maybe, her brother the prince has a better way to make her stop crying. David Melling's newest delightful picture storybook features humorous illustrations done in the same attractive style that distinguishes three of his earlier favorites, The Kiss That Missed, The Ghost Library, and The Tale of Jack Frost.

This book has medieval fantasy short stories with gray-tone illustrations. It is by a kid from the Tristate Metropolitan DC area; including West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland. Medieval Fantasy Stories are selected from the author's collection of stories he wrote and illustrated in grade school. The originals have been digitally remastered for publication. If you are nostalgic for the Middle Ages, and want to enjoy the creative imagination of youth, this book is for you!

In thisnovel we meet the young farm girl Joan before she becomes Joan of Arc, and witness her struggles to understand the extraordinary task she has been given by her saints. Told in her voice, it is a remarkable story of acceptance and spiritual courage. ‘A beautifully crafted fictional portrait of Joan of Arc, from her first visions until she leaves on her historic mission. . . . A convincing, unforgettable—and non-doctrinaire re-creation.’ —The Kirkus Reviews. This edition, abridged by the author, marks its first appearance in paperback. ‘Wise and profoundly moving . . . captivating and timeless.’—The Los Angeles Times Book Review. ‘Barbara Dana’s recreation of Joan of Arc’s early life, before she commanded an army, is entirely involving and convincing. Making no concessions to the twentieth century, Dana portrays a Joan true to her time.’—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books.

In the little village of Castle Down, in a kingdom plagued by war, lives a peasant girl called Bella. Blessed with a kind family and a loving friend, she manages to create her own small patch of sunlight in a dark and dangerous world. Bella is a blacksmith's daughter; her friend Julian is a prince -- yet neither seems to notice the great gulf that divides his world from hers.

Suddenly Bella's world collapses. First Julian betrays her. Then it is revealed that she is not the peasant she believed herself to be: She is Isabel, the daughter of a knight who abandoned her in infancy. Now he wants her back, so Bella is torn from her beloved foster family and sent to live with her deranged father and his resentful new wife. Soon Bella is caught up in a terrible plot that will change her life -- and the kingdom -- forever. With the help of her godmother and three enchanted gifts, she sets out on a journey in disguise that will lead her to a destiny far greater than any she could have imagined.

H "Avi's plot is engineered for maximum thrills, with twists, turns, and treachery aplenty. . . . A page-turner to delight Avi's fans, it will leave readers hoping for a sequel."-Publishers Weekly (starred review) H " . . . [T]he book is a page-turner from beginning to end . . . [A] meticulously crafted story, full of adventure, mystery, and action." -School Library Journal (starred review) "Historical fiction at its finest."-VOYA

Genre-jumping author Avi clocks in here with his 50th book, Crispin: The Cross of Lead, an action-packed historical narrative that follows the frantic flight of a 13-year-old peasant boy across 14th-century England.

After being declared a "wolf's head" by his manor's corrupt steward for a crime he didn't commit (meaning that anyone can kill him like a common animal--and collect a reward), this timid boy has to flee a tiny village that's the only world he's ever known. But before our protagonist escapes, Avi makes sure that we're thoroughly briefed on the injustices of feudalism--the countless taxes cottars must pay, the constant violence, the inability of a flawed church to protect its parishioners, etc. Avi then folds in the book's central mystery just as the boy is leaving: "Asta's son," as he's always been known, learns from the village priest that his Christian name is Crispin, and that his parents' origins--and fates--might be more perplexing than he ever imagined.

Providing plenty of period detail (appropriately gratuitous for the age group) and plenty of chase-scene suspense, Avi tells a good story, develops a couple of fairly compelling characters, and even manages to teach a little history lesson. (Fortunately, kids won't realize that they're learning about England's peasant revolt of 1381 until it's far too late.) (Ages 10 to 14) --Paul Hughes

Jack and Annie travel back in time to a desert in the Middle East at the behest of Merlin who has given them a rhyme to help on their mission. There they meet a Bedouin tribe and learn about the way that they live. From camel rides and oases to ancient writings and dangerous sandstorms, here’s another Magic Tree House filled with all the mystery, history, magic, and old-fashioned adventure that kids love to read about.

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