The Door in the Wall by Marguerite De Angeli is a delightful historical fiction book. We purchased it on audio cassette some years ago, the tapes used so often they has to be thrown out. It was my older children’s favourite book to listen to when they were ill in bed.

Robin, the son of a knight, falls ill and loses the use of his legs. Robin is cared for by a kindly monk Brother Luke. Brother Luke teaches him many things including how to be a humbler person. Some children would find the book boring because it is not filled with action. Most of the book is taken up with the slow recovery of Robin and him learning patience. I guess that is why it was such a favourite when my children were ill. Not only because they related to the character in the book dealing with the frustration of illness, fatigue and the slowness of life but because when ill they had more time to dwell over the story. In the end Robin learns character and has an opportunity to prove his maturity. You also get a feel for what life was like in Medieval England.