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Marguerite De Angeli
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The Door in the Wall: (Newbery Medal Winner) Paperback – July 1, 1990

by Marguerite de Angeli (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,246 ratings
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WINNER OF THE NEWBERY MEDAL • An uplifting story of resilience set in medieval times about a boy who learns to overcome obstacles and ultimately save the castle. This historical fiction novel is a classic for all ages!
 
“An enthralling and inspiring tale of triumph.” —The New York Times

Ever since he can remember, Robin, child of Sir John de Bureford, has been told what is expected of him as the son of a nobleman. He must learn the ways of knighthood. But Robin’s destiny is changed suddenly when he falls ill and loses the use of his legs. Fearing a plague, his servants abandon him, and Robin is left alone.
 
A monk named Brother Luke rescues Robin and takes him to the hospice of St. Mark’s, where he is taught woodcarving and patience and strength. Says Brother Luke, “Thou hast only to follow the wall far enough and there will be a door in it.”
 
Robin learns soon enough what Brother Luke means. When the great castle of Lindsay is in danger, Robin discovers that there is more than one way to serve his king.
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    9 - 11 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    128 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    7 - 6
  5. Lexile measure
    920L
  6. Dimensions
    5.19 x 0.35 x 7.69 inches
  7. Publisher
    Yearling
  8. Publication date
    July 1, 1990
  9. ISBN-10
    0440402832
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0440402831
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A poignant story, full of action, and a strongly painted canvas of the times as well.” —The New Yorker

“One has a feeling of the authenticity of the pageantry and atmosphere of medieval England...the illustrations are beautifully handled.”—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

Ever since he can remember, Robin, son of Sir John de Bureford, has been told what is expected of him as the son of a nobleman. He must learn the ways of knighthood. But Robin's destiny is changed in one stroke: He falls ill and loses the use of his legs. Fearing a plague, his servants abandon him and Robin is left alone.

A monk named Brother Luke rescues Robin and takes him to the hospice of St. Mark's where he is taught woodcarving and--much harder--patience and strength. Says Brother Luke, "Thou hast only to follow the wall far enough and there will be a door in it."

Robin soon enough learns what Brother Luke means. And when the great castle of Lindsay is in danger, it is Robin, who cannot mount a horse and ride to battle, who saves the townspeople and discovers there is more than one way to serve his king..

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Yearling (July 1, 1990)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 128 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0440402832
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0440402831
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 9 - 11 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 920L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 - 6
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.19 x 0.35 x 7.69 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,246 ratings

About the author

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Marguerite De Angeli

Marguerite De Angeli

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
1,246 global ratings
Horrible printing, good story
1 Star
Horrible printing, good story
Gave this book to my daughter as a gift, so she just now started it (after the return window has closed). 32 pages into the book, it inexplicably begins A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. When the story does pick up again much of it has been skipped. So disappointed in Random House and Amazon for not checking the quality of the products they sell. My daughter was enjoying the story...so I will find a complete copy for her somewhere other than Amazon.
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Top reviews from the United States

Waverley36
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, benign look into Middle Ages -- Not a military/adventure novel!
Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2007
Verified Purchase
Delightful, low-key, descriptively lean account of England circa the 1330s through the eyes of a handicapped boy. Not the action adventure some readers seem to be expecting, but a non-revisionist slice of life, Middle Ages style. Younger readers will need to be good readers, and patient ones, to reap these rewards. (In fact, that's what this book is about!)

De Angeli's short Newbery winner follows Robin, ten year old son of a nobleman fighting in Edward III's "Scottish wars" and one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting. Robin's London caregivers are wiped out by the plague, so the care of his delicate health (he has recently been stricken lame) falls to a benevolent monk named Brother Luke. The good brother quietly applies himself to strengthening Robin in both body and mind, emphasizing that perseverance and patience will always result in finding "a door in the wall," a way beyond present obstacles. Robin's lessons include wood carving, reading, writing, singing and playing music, swimming, and walking with crutches.

There is no insistent plot to jerk the story forward and no loud, overstated characters to interfere with Robin's quiet development. Robin shares some mild adventures on the road in the company of Luke and a minstrel named John Go-in-the-wynd before all his newfound resourcefulness and skill are called upon in defense of a local castle.

Nice, pleasant, quick. Unapologetic about the era's Christian culture and the benevolence of its priests, so probably not very popular among trendy Newbery spokespeople these days. But De Angeli's message of gentle, humble perseverance is actually inspiring.
22 people found this helpful
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PRG
5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful read!
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2023
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A delightful, easy read. Highly recommended for both children and adults, though children might be confused by the pseudo-archaic English dialog. The story of a disabled boy, left alone, taken in by a kind monk and, with kindness and caring, who becomes strong in body and even stronger in character.
5 people found this helpful
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Anne Wise
4.0 out of 5 stars enjoyable
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2022
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Thou has found the door in the wall…a good children’s book that includes large doses of adventure, courage and perseverance through what seems like insurmountable difficulties.
3 people found this helpful
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Elizabeth
5.0 out of 5 stars Strength of character set in 1300s England
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2022
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This 1949 Newberry winner celebrates a 10-year old disabled boy’s will and fortitude as he fulfills his noble destiny (not the one he expected) while growing in goodness and character. The story is set in the Middle Ages during the plague, and prior to England’s split from Rome. The viewpoint is, as expected, quite narrow and pure by today’s standards. A monk, Brother Luke, physically and spiritually cares for the child and fosters his character growth. He encourages the child to overcome life’s obstacles through dedication and hard work, by finding a “door in the wall.” This is a slow read, well suited for bedtime and winding down, with English vernacular (thee and thou) which if waded through has a great ending, filled with hope. It brings the Middle Ages (during the reign of Edward III) entirely to life. Recommended. My son of the same age at first found it slow, then as the main character grew in kindness, liked it very much.
13 people found this helpful
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TinyTim2225
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Beautiful
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2023
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This was a wonderful little book. The triumph of spirit found through the characters in this literary masterpiece is unmatched. I highly recommend for all, young and old.
5 people found this helpful
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Swallow
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent literature.
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2021
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The kids did not want me to stop reading, and I hardly wanted to put the book down myself. The story is meaningful and very well written. I highly recommend it as a story in and of itself, and as historical fiction from medieval times.
3 people found this helpful
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KC
3.0 out of 5 stars Pales Compared to "Adam of the Road"
Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2009
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If you're looking for historical fiction set in medieval England, I would recommend fellow Newberry winner, ADAM OF THE ROAD, over this novel. Though almost three times the length, ADAM is more engaging both in plot and characterization. THE DOOR IN THE WALL opts for a more realistic vernacular (using "thee," "thou," "oft," etc.), but is overly simplistic in terms of plotting and suspense. A battle scene, for instance, ending an important siege is described and finished in all of three sentences. Talk about a letdown!

The central metaphor of the book is admirable, as it describes life's challenges as a wall that must patiently be explored, for every wall gives way to "a door" (or, an opportunity) at some point. This is the case for the protagonist, Robin, who is a nobleman's lame son who must learn to support himself on crutches and overcome his handicap. He is assisted in this endeavor by Brother Luke at the hospice of St. Mark. Eventually the narrative shows a little life as they travel to the castle of Lindsay and some adventure (in the form of attacking Welsh) takes place. Too bad author de Angeli simply describes it like a history text instead of like a novel. My kingdom, then, for some drawn out action, some sensory details, or some inner thoughts of Robin's augmenting the suspense!

Still, it's yeoman writing and true to the period in which it is written. As a three star, the book should not be avoided so much as compared to others of its ilk that might better engage young readers of short attention spans. There's the rub. If you're a young reader who loves to read, you will find THE DOOR IN THE WALL open and inviting. If, on the other hand, you are a young reader who craves plot and action, you will be shutting the door of your own accord along about page 20. Know thyself and thy personal "walls," then.
29 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Eric
5.0 out of 5 stars For school
Reviewed in Canada on September 12, 2019
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For school. Exactly what was needed
One person found this helpful
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Madame X
5.0 out of 5 stars Still a Beloved Classid
Reviewed in Germany on November 14, 2013
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Having vaguely remembered enjoying this book as a child, I bought it for my ten-year-old, who loves the story as well. The language in this book is comparatively sophisticated and vaguely archaic ("We broke our fast"), but the story is so gripping that it goes down painlessly.
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K. from Japan
3.0 out of 5 stars K. from Japan
Reviewed in Japan on January 17, 2013
Verified Purchase
This book is a good book. I would have given it 5 stars had this book been written for adults. Unfortunately this book is for children and they will probably find the book too slow and with words too difficult to understand.

I am not sure if a child alone can understand the book if he/she reads this book by him/herself.

If I read this book to children, I would read one chapter at a time, stopping frequently to try to explain what was written, and at the end I would summarize the book with this: The reason why the main character finds his own door in the wall is because he accomplished something that basically anybody else could have done but nobody thought of or tried doing; and of course he did it regarless of his physical limitations.
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