The Door in the Wall (Books for Young Readers)
by Marguerite De Angeli

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Book Reviews of The Door in the Wall (Books for Young Readers)

Book Review: Beautiful. Charming. Real.
Summary: 5 Stars

The setting is romanticized. There is nothing about the disgusting sounds, smells, habits, and parasites of the Middle Ages. If I had not read Cushman's "Catherine Called Birdy" (another good book) first, I would have thought that Medieval England was clean, pretty, quaint--and only a little muddy when it rained. Though things are protrayed as more lovely than they really were, I have to say that the attention to detail--from the handwritten manuscripts to a small town's market day--was amazing. I felt as if someone had tossed me several hundred years back in time and that Robin, Brother Luke, and John-go-in-the-Wynd were my guides who explained everything to me. It was a fascinating journey, though it took place in an armchair. (The original illustrations help a lot.)

The main characters are as real and as idealized as the setting is. What I mean is that they are three-dimensional and realistic, but also that they have halos and little wings. They are really, really good. To some, they may be boring; but if there were more people like them in the world, we would all be much happier. Brother Luke was a wonderful, patient and understanding mentor to young Robin. He always seemed to know exactly what to do to help Robin to maturity. I don't know how someone can finish the first few chapters and not like Brother Luke for the rest of their lives. Readers may also leave liking Robin, though they may find him too "goody-goody." All I can say is that he was a naturally quiet, modest boy who was eager to please his father and serve his king. This did not make his struggle to gain self-mastery and to find the "door in the wall" any easier than it is for all the young people who have to go through it.

The premise is about how Robin found his door in the wall. Life walled him in, but he was taught to believe in himself and not give up. He learned woodcarving and even had some adventures. In the end, he learned that even a little lame boy can please his father and serve his king--if he really, really wants to. I think that if more young people who feel walled in by life read this book, then they will be better off, for the following reasons:

1. it will show them a beautiful world, where they can drop their cynicism and be young again;

2. it will give them, if only in their imaginations, a kind teacher in Brother Luke;

3. it will teach them about the door in the wall, and how all they need to do to find it is to look.

PS--If you're a teacher, please read "Keeping Kids Reading" by Mary Leonhardt before you assign this book. Too many kids hate this book for no reason other than that they were forced to read it.

Summary of The Door in the Wall (Books for Young Readers)

Medieval Books

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