Medieval historical fiction for kids and teens
Explore the best medieval historical fiction books for kids and teens! Dive into thrilling tales of knights, castles, and adventures set in the Middle Ages. Perfect for young readers who love history and fantasy.
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Catherine, Called Birdy (rpkg)
by Karen Cushman
"Corpus Bones! I utterly loathe my life." Catherine feels trapped. Her father is determined to marry her off to arich man--any rich man, no matter how awful. But by wit, trickery, and luck, Catherine manages to send several would-be husbands packing. Then a shaggy-bearded suitor from the north comes to call--by far the oldest, ugliest, most revolting suitor of them all. Unfortunately, he is also the richest. Can a sharp-tongued, high-spirited, clever young maiden with a mind of her own actually lose the battle against an ill-mannered, piglike lord and an unimaginative, greedy toad of a father? Deus! Not if Catherine has anything to say about it! Catherine feels trapped. Her father is determined to marry her off to a rich man--any rich man, no mater how awful. But by wit, trickery, and luck, Catherine manages to send several would-be husbands packing. Then a shaggy-bearded suitor from the north comes to call--by far the oldest, ugliest, most revolting suitor of them all. Unfortunately, he is also the richest. Can a sharp-tongued, high-spirited, clever young maiden with a mind of her own actualy lose the battle against an ill-mannared, piglike lord and an unimaginative, greedy toad of a father? Deus! Not if Catherine has anything to say about it!
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The Midwife's Apprentice (rpkg)
by Karen Cushman
'Like Cushman's 1995 Newbery Honor Book, Catherine, Called Birdy, this novel is about a strong young woman in medieval England who finds her own way home. This is a world, like Chaucer's, that's . . . dangerous, primitive and raucous. From the first page you're caught by the spirit of the homeless, nameless waif, somewhere around 12 years old. She gets the village midwife to take her in, befriends a cat, names herself Alyce, and learns something about delivering babies. When she fails, she runs away, but she picks herself up again and returns to work and independence.' --ALA Booklist (starred review). '. . .A fascinating view of a far distant time.' -- The Horn Book (starred review)
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The Seeing Stone
by Kevin Crossley-Holland
In late twelfth-century England, a thirteen-year-old boy named Arthur recounts how Merlin gives him a magical stone which shows him images of the legendary King Arthur, the events of whose life seem to parallel his own.
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The Edge on the Sword
by Rebecca Tingle
An adventure worthy of legend, for fans of Game of Thrones and Ranger's Apprentice When fifteen-year-old �thelfl�d is suddenly and reluctantly betrothed to an ally of her father, the king, her world will never be the same. For as a noblewoman in the late 800s, she will be expected to be meek and unlearned--and Fl�d is anything but meek and unlearned. Her marriage will bring peace to her land, but while her royal blood makes her a valuable asset, she is also a vulnerable target. And when enemies attack, Fl�d must draw upon her skills and fight to lead her people to safety and prove her worth as a princess--and as a warrior. "Tingle's graceful, tightly plotted narrative is . . . an enthralling tale. A first-rate example of historical fiction."--Booklist
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Pagan's Crusade
by Catherine Jinks
Now in paperback--the first book of a quartet that introduces Pagan Kidrouk, a down-on-his-luck 16-year-old who arrives on the doorstep of the Templar Knights in medieval Jerusalem, looking for work as a squire.
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Peregrine
by Joan E. Goodman
In 1144, fifteen-year-old Lady Edith, having lost her husband and child and anxious to avoid marrying a man she detests, sets out from her home in Surrey to go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
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The Winter Hare
by Joan Goodman
In 1140, with England divided between the supporters of King Stephen and those of the Empress Matilda, twelve-year-old Will Belet, small for his age but longing to be a knight, comes to his Uncle's castle to be a page and soon finds himself involved in dangerous intrigues and adventures.
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Raiders from the Sea
by Lois Walfrid Johnson
Viking raiders capture Bree and her brother, Devin. They embark on separate journeys: Bree to Norway, and Devin on a dangerous path home. Set in 10th Century Ireland and Norway
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The Executioner's Daughter
by Laura E. Williams
Thirteen-year-old Lily, daughter of the town's executioner living in fifteenth-century Europe, decides whether to fight against her destiny or to rise above her fate.
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Feast of Fools
by Bridget Crowley
This gripping mystery blends excitement and suspense with a memorable cast of characters and the sights and sounds of medieval England, making it a page-turner sure to compel readers everywhere.
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The Silver Cup
by Constance Leeds
In 1096, Anna, a German Catholic girl, and Leah, a German Jewish girl, strike up a remarkable friendship and make surprising discoveries about each other.
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Song of the Sparrow
by Lisa Ann Sandell
This lyrical novel in verse tells the tale of fiery, 16-year-old Elaine of Ascolat--who will one day be known in poems and paintings as RThe Lady of ShalottS from Arthurian lore.
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William the Conqueror
by Caroline Corby
A thrilling historical adventure in the "Before They Were Famous" series, telling the story of the young William the Conqueror.A young boy is sent away to France, far from the political turmoil of the Normandy court. He spends his years training to become a knight and learning the value of friendship and loyalty - which will be vital when decides he must return to take his rightful place as Duke of Normandy. This thrilling historical adventure, one of the "Before They Were Famous" series that includes the Cleopatra, Boudica and Pocahontas, tells the story of a young boy who one day became known as William the Conqueror.
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The Falconer's Knot
by Mary Hoffman
The award-winning author of the Stravaganza series has done it again with this atmospheric adventure set in Renaissance Italy. Sixteen-year-old Silvano da Montacuto has wealth, good looks, and a new hawk-but none of these can save him when his bloody dagger is found near a dead body. For his own protection, he is sent to a Franciscan House, where he poses as a novice, or a young monk. There, he lays eyes on Chiara, a lovely novice at a nearby abbey who is also living in secret. When they fall in love, their secret identities make it impossible to reveal their feelings to one another. Murder seems to have followed Silvano, and soon several other dead bodies turn up. Who is committing the crimes? Will a young man accused of multiple murders be able to clear himself? And what about the girl he adores? Fans of Mary Hoffman's critically acclaimed Stravaganza series won't be disappointed in the romance, colorful web of intrigue, and rich, marvelous setting.
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Elvina's Mirror
by Sylvie Weil
In 1097 Troyes, France, fourteen-year-old Elvina reaches out to a shunned family of German Jews, eventually drawing her grandfather, Bible and Talmud scholar Solomon ben Isaac, into helping her new friend's cousin Ephraim, whose memories of the Crusaders' cruelty have driven him mad.