About This Book
Reach for this Newbery Medal winner when your middle-schooler is grappling with questions of identity or feeling the weight of unfair expectations. Set in the harsh landscape of 14th-century England, the story follows a nameless boy who loses everything and is forced to flee for his life. As he transforms from a terrified peasant into a courageous young man, readers witness a powerful journey of self-discovery and the search for freedom. It is an ideal pick for children navigating a transition in their own lives or those who enjoy stories about finding one's voice against all odds. While it depicts the gritty realities of medieval life including poverty and loss, it ultimately celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of choosing your own path. Parents will appreciate the historical depth and the way it models the transition from a passive worldview to one of agency and conviction.
