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In Times Past
an eBook on CD
by Carol Hurst and Rebecca Otis

Integrating US History with Literature in Grades 3-8.

Enliven your US History curriculum!

Teach US History using great kids books.

More Info

Middle Ages

Related Books:

Novels:

Cushman, Karen. The Midwife's Apprentice.

Cushman, Karen. Catherine Called Birdy. Clarion, 1994 ISBN 0 395 68186 3.

A featured book on this site.

Lewis, Naomi. Proud Knight, Fair Lady. Viking, 1989 ISBN 0 670 82656 1.

These are short stories set in twelfth century France.

Rosen, Sidney & Dorothy. The Magician's Apprentice. Carolrhoda, 1994 ISBN 0 87614 809 7.

Don't be fooled by the title; this is not a fantasy. When Jean, a 15 year old orphan is accused of having a heretical paper in his possession, he escapes the Inquisition rack only by promising to spy on Roger Bacon who is performing suspicious scientific experiments in England.

Temple, Frances. The Ramsay Scallop. Orchard, 1994 ISBN 0 531 06836 6.

Set in the thirteenth century, this novel tells about two young people whose marriage has been arranged against their will. A very wise priest sends them on a mission together during which time they, and we, see much about French life in the middle ages, learn a great deal about themselves and end up pleased about their coming marriage. This is challenging reading but very good.

Park, Linda Sue. A Single Shard. Clarion, 2001 ISBN 0395978270.

In this Newbery Award winner Tree-ear is homeless, living under a bridge in twelfth-century Korea. He becomes an apprentice to a master potter after accidently breaking one of the pieces of pottery.

Picture Books

Anno, Mitsumasa. Anno's Medieval World. Putnam, 1980 ISBN 0 399 61153 3.

This picture book introduction to medieval history is centered mostly in southern Europe.

Chaucer, Geoffrey. Canterbury Tales. Adapted by Barbara Cohen Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman Lothrop, 1988 ISBN 0 688 06201 6.

Hyman and Cohen have chosen four tales to retell and illustrate: The Nun's Priest's, The Pardoner's, The Wife of Bath's and The Franklin's. In each case the tale entertains and enlightens but, together with the illustrations, they come to life, revealing much about the times and the people.

Gerrard, Roy. Sir Cedric. Farrar, 1984 ISBN 0 374 36959 3.

In the age of chivalry, Sir Cedric defeats the evil knight and wins the fair maiden. The plot is a spoof, but the illustrations are very informative.

Goodall, John S. The Story of a Castle. McElderry, 1986 ISBN 0 689 50405 5.

This wordless book shows us the inner workings of a Norman castle in the Middle Ages.

Hunt, Jonathan. Illuminations. Macmillan, 1989 ISBN 0 02 745770 2.

This alphabet of illuminated letters is full of fascinating information about medieval times.

Lasker, Joe. Merry Ever After: The Story of Two Medieval Weddings. Viking, 1976 ISBN 0 670 47257 3.

The peasant wedding and the knight's wedding offer two sides of life in the Middle Ages.

Non-Fiction

Caselli, Giovanni. The Middle Ages. Bedrick, 1988 ISBN 0 87226 176 X.

With detailed drawings and other artwork, we get a glimpse of the life of the time.

Gregory, Tony. The Dark Ages. Facts on File, 1993 ISBN 0 8160 2787 0.

Well captioned photographs and drawings make this short book accessible as well as informative.

Howarth, Sarah. Medieval People. Millbrook, 1992 ISBN 1 56294 153 4.

One of three volumes in a series, this one looks at the life of six representative people: a doctor, monk, knight, lady, bishop and a heretic.

Related Areas of Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site

Catherine Called Birdy by Karen Cushman's Featured Book Page.

Related Areas on the Internet

Warning: If you follow one of these links you will be leaving Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site and will need to use your BACK button to return to our site.

Medieval World. A very comprehensive site.

Castles on the Web. This site contains information about castles including photos and a glossary of castle terms.

Medieval History from About.com
http://historymedren.about.com/homework/historymedren/