Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

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.