Customer Reviews

The Door in the Wall

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

As an elementary school librarian, I think it's informative to read all the reviews found here. It can be summed up that readers either like or dislike this Newbery Award winning book. There is no middle ground.

However, one should pay attention to the many negative reviews by "bored" students. It's my opinion that these students were probably not sufficiently prepared to read this short--but somewhat challenging--story. If a teacher just passes this book out, or says, "Go read a Newbery book," then I don't blame them for yawning.

I think a student's interest level would increase if they had some sense of the language, as well as an understanding of this fascinating historical period. A quick search on the Internet reveals an interesting array of lesson plans, background materials and quizzes.

There are also some excellent--and easy--books that provide helpful background information, such as David Macaulay's "Castle" and "Cathedral;" Jonathan Hunt's "Illuminations;" Aliki's "A Medieval Feast;" or Joe Lasker's "A Tournament of Knights." There are many more good titles available.

It would be beneficial if teachers would pre-read this book and make a list of the unfamiliar terms and the older forms of speech used throughout. (Better yet, it would be wonderful if the publisher would produce an edition with a glossary!) Knowing the language will open many "doors in the wall" for most students.

I've recently been doing some research on what books are considered classics for elementary age students, and "A Door in the Wall," shows up on just about every list I've seen. It is a true classic in many ways.

On an additional note, I have a personal interest in the history of the Christian faith, and it's quite informative to note here the role the Church plays in the everyday lives of the people in Medieval England. I developed a fondness for the way the friar, Brother Luke, was portrayed here. While this is not a "religious" book, and is certainly appropriate for public schools, I think that it could find a nice niche in religious schools (Catholic, Protestant or Orthodox), where a discussion of this title could open doors (pun intended) to a time when Christendom was the norm.

I remember reading this book ages ago, and I hated. I thought it dated and dull, with its archaic language and details about medieval life. Now, after years of studying mythology, including the Prose Edda, I can better appreciate it. It's not a GREAT book, but it is a good one.

Robin is the son of a knight, destined to become a knight one day himself - until he falls ill and loses the use of his legs. The plague is ravaging medieval England, and it claims several of the servants who were caring for him. Robin is rescued by a kindly monk, Brother Luke, who takes the crippled boy to a local monastary and patiently cares for him there. Under Luke's guidance, Robin learns how to swim, read, whittle, and how to become a humbler person rather than the rather snobby noble boy that he once was.

But all is not well in England. Robin must "open a door in the wall" -- the walls that hemmed him in when he lost the use of his legs -- and discover that you don't necessarily have to be a knight to serve your king and country.

This is not a 9-12 book. Oh, not because of any objectionable content or attitudes, but simply because the, majority of 9-12 children will be bored witless by it. It's better suited to young adults who can handle the gradual pacing, softened archaic language (a fair number of twills, thous, amisses, and arts) and virtually actionless plot. As a result, "Door in the Wall" resembles a a slice of real life from the POV of a crippled boy rather than a fictional story. Such gruesome details as the plague and the violence of war are smudged out, by the way.

It seems a lot longer than its 120 pages. Ignore the silly cover art, the characters aren't like that at all; the interior illustrations are soft and realistic. de Angeli's writing lacks detail much of the time, but her dialogue is well-scripted. Robin's responses to the loss of his legs, his plans, and fear of his father's disappointment are perfectly done. He isn't a perfect lead character; he gets irrational, angry, snobby - but overcomes all of them. Brother Luke seems a little too perfect at times, but is also a good character. So, for that matter, is minstrel John-go-in-the-Wynd. (Yes, this book has those delightful Middle-Ages names based on the job, physical characteristics or past experience)

As for complaints about this book: Note that virtually all of them say that it was a schoolwork book; once again, we have disgruntled students seeking "revenge" on a non-fluff book that they had to read. This is not a book that should be assigned, but a book that should be selected individually. Don't read it just because it's a Newbery, read it if you can handle it!

In short, I recommend this book -- but not to everyone...it if you love to read, and if you enjoy a story where characters are emphasized over action.

When I read the synopsis on the book jacket, I assumed that Robin, the protagonist, was a lot like Whitey of the movie "Boys Town", to be taught the right path by Brother Luke, who I deduced was the equivalent of Father Flanagan. I was wrong. Robin wasn't rebellious at all. This is one reason why the story does not bump along as much as it flows. (Its lack of conflict keeps it from bumping, but the author's lovely prose keeps it flowing.)

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.

The Door In The Wall
By Marguerite De Angeli

Robin the son of a noble family had always been told what was expected of him since his father was a prominent knight and his mother the midwife to Queen Maud. At the age of ten he was expected to be taken from his family to be a page to Sir Peter de Lindsay to learn the ways of knighthood. His father leaves for the wars and his mother is called away. The whole town is infected with the plague and his servants either have died or fled till he is left alone. He himself is sick but not with plague he no longer can move his legs and is weak so he can't go to the castle as intended. Brother Luke a friar at St. Marks finds him bringing him back to the monastery in his care. "Thou hast only to follow the wall far enough and there will be a door in it." His first change is to get used to humble life and to appreciate it. There he is taught patience, how to read and write astronomy, carpentry as well as heavenly devotion. With the plague passed, Brother Luke has more time; Robin is taken to the river where he swims splashing in the water and strengthening his legs. Soon he is able to run on crutches racing the other boys. He sends a letter to his father who arranges him to make the journey to Sir Peter. The monks are busy preparing for the journey getting food and clothing packed it is hard for him to say goodbye he had grown accustomed to their footsteps and hearing the church bells ring. Brother Luke goes along with him as well as a minstrel friend John-go-in-the-Wynd. They have an adventure getting to the castle where Robin begins to wonder why a knight would have need for a cripple. Upon arriving, he makes friends with Adam the guard and the dog D'Ath. "Each of us has his place in the world, if we cannot serve in one way, there is always another. If we do what we are able, a door always opens to something else." While under his lord's service the castle is besieged by Welsh it becomes evident their food supply is low and the well near dry if they have a chance to survive without surrendering someone had to go for help. Robin though a boy takes this mission upon himself dressing as a poor shepherd's lad he swims the river doges the sentry and heads for the cottage of his friend John-go-in-the-Wynd. It was a daring and tiring feat for a boy on crutches but they depended on him and he aimed to do his armored father proud. Yes, if he could reach John-go-in-the-Wynd he could help he was wise for a minstrel. The man protected Robin endearing him as his "young master". A boy on crutches couldn't easily alarm a town or go to a nearby castle for men of arms to help, but John could.

This book is truly worthy of the Newberry Award medal unlike so many it is uplifting instead of depressing. The message of hard work, perseverance, friendship and acceptance is written artfully throughout the book. All the characters have distinct personalities and are developed completely. This book left nothing to be wondered or subjects still open. The story of Robin's life was realistic and as a book had a powerfully beginning, interesting middle and a strong end I believe all who read this book will be happy with the end result. For these reasons I rate it a perfect 10 it was inspiring and the secret message of finding the door in the wall took some time to discover. Angeli's style of writing beautifully intertwined life of that the period from all classes through Robin's youthful eyes. He is a character one roots for and keeps hoping he'll find his way. I can't wait to read it again I recommend this to everyone wanting a good book for I won't understand if one tells me they disliked it.

ISBN 0440402832 - A Newbery Award Medal Winner and winner of the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, The Door in the Wall is an excellent book about finding your own way.

Robin's father is off fighting for the king, his mother is lady-in-waiting to the queen and the plague is sweeping through London. Robin finds himself alone and unable to use his legs; he tries to be brave as a knight should be, but he's scared and feeling bad for himself. When Brother Luke finds him and brings him to the hospice, he tells Robin that if he comes to a wall, and follows the wall far enough, he will find a door. Robin doesn't understand what this means, but he trusts the friar and learns from him.

Robin's wall is that he's unable to walk alone and his worries that he'll let his father down because he cannot become a knight. With the help of the friars, he finds his door in that wall and becomes stronger, just in time. The castle of Lindsay is under siege and Robin is the only one who can save them all.

The language is old-fashioned and there's a sentence or two that were difficult for me to make sense of, so that might be a barrier for the young reader. Still, more than worth the time it took to read, even for adults!

- AnnaLovesBooks

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.

My older boys are now 8 and 10. They have listened to the audio version for the last 4 years and still love it. It does not insult their intelligence, challenges them to reach moral heights and to think. If you want to raise boys to be real men, this is one of those things that help along the way. A classic.

I was looking for this book to give as a present to my niece. I was dismayed at the number of young people who hated this book. I have a disability and it was when I was trapped in my bed that I read this book. And I loved it. It captured the spirit of my struggle. I felt triumphant at the end. I can't help but think that we must be teaching our children not to think about important things in life and instead we feed them shootum up movies and action books. I think the message of this story is timeless.

I am really not a big reader until now. This book is very inspiring. It is about a boy overcoming an illness while at a monistary. His father, Sir John De Beuford, is the head of an English army. He is afraid his father will be disappointed because he will not be able to become a knight. When the Welsh army invades a castle it is up to him to save the day. That's enough until you read this great book!

I read this book in the sixth grade, and this is the book that made me start reading (I read a lot). It involves you an interesting story, set in the Middle Ages, about a lame boy who overcomes his handicap and becomes a hero. Anybody, including adults, who perseveres through the slow beginning will love this novel. It certainly deserved its Newberry Medal.