Rebecca Barnhouse

In 1413, a young maidservant accompanies her deeply religious mistress, Dame Margery Kempe, on a pilgrimage to Rome. Includes author's note on Kempe, writer of "The Book of Margery Kempe," considered by some to be the first autobiography in the English language.

The Book of the Maidservant

A companion to The Coming of the Dragon finds 16-year-old Hild, a niece of the Shyfling king, protecting the life of the crown prince, only to be wrongly accused of treachery and exiled to the land of Beowulf to negotiate peace between the two kingdoms.

Peaceweaver

Rune, an orphaned young man raised among strangers, tries to save the kingdom from a dragon that is burning the countryside and, along the way, learns that he is a kinsman of Beowulf.

The Coming of the Dragon

Johanna is a serving girl to Dame Margery Kempe, a renowned medieval holy woman. Dame Margery feels the suffering the Virgin Mary felt for her son, but cares little for the misery she sees every day. When she announces that Johanna will accompany her on a pilgrimage to Rome, the suffering truly begins. After walking all day, Johanna must fetch water, wash clothes, and cook for the entire party of pilgrims. Then arguing breaks out between Dame Margery and the other travelers, and Johanna is caught in the middle. As the fighting escalates, Dame Margery turns her back on the whole group, including Johanna. Abandoned in a foreign land where she doesn't even speak the language, the young maidservant must find her own way to Rome. Inspired by the15th-century text, The Book of Margery Kempe, the first autobiography in English, Rebecca Barnhouse chronicles Johanna's painful journey through fear and anger and physical hardship to ultimate redemption. Fans of Karen Cushman and other medieval historical fiction will be spellbound.

Provides an overview of the Middle Ages, details of everyday life of the period, and tips on evaluating literature for historical accuracy, and lists nineteen novels that can be paired with history lessons and literary texts.

The Middle Ages in Young Adult Literature

Recasting the Past

Writers of both fiction and non-fiction have long been fascinated by the Middle Ages, and this guide summarizes and evaluates more than 500 picture books, novels, nonfiction, and reference books that have been written for readers in grades K - 12. It also offers professional resources for educators and suggestions for classroom activities.

A Guide and Resource Book

The Middle Ages in Literature for Youth

This is historical fantasy at its best. Sixteen-year-old Hild has always been a favorite of her uncle, king of the Shylfings. So when she protects her cousin the crown prince from a murderous traitor, she expects the king to be grateful. Instead, she is unjustly accused of treachery herself. As punishment, her uncle sends Hild far away to the heir of the enemy king, Beowulf, to try to weave peace between the two kingdoms. She must leave her home and everyone she loves. On the long and perilous journey, Hild soon discovers that fatigue and rough terrain are the least of her worries. Something is following her and her small band of guards—some kind of foul creature that tales say lurks in the fens. Will Hild have to face the monster? Or does it offer her the perfect chance to escape the destiny she never chose? Rebecca Barnhouse's companion to The Coming of the Dragon is sure to appeal to younger fans of Tamora Pierce, Esther Friesner, and Shannon Hale.

Rebecca Barnhouse

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