I was sure I had read this as a child but I have no memory of it at all. A bit heavy handed but perfectly serviceable children's book with small adventures and a good dose of "how to be a better person".

A rich young boy becomes ill while his parents are away. Unfortunately, the town is it with a plague. He future is dependent on a helpful monk. The Monk does physical therapy for the boy. Disaster trikes again when the monastery is under attack. Only the cripple boy can get out and get to help. ( )

Kids story that paints a vivid picture of medieval live. A little heavy handed with the moral lessons at times. Better attitude about disability than many books set in modern times are, and yes that is accurate to the period! ( )

Young Robin becomes ill, losing the use of his legs just as plague strikes London. A local friar arrives to rescue him and nurse Robin back to health. The friar's actions start the young nobleman on a path of learning, and to also find his way beyond his handicap and into adolescence. Very good read, worthy of a Newbery. ( )

Set in England during the medieval era, young Robin, son of a nobleman, loses the use of his legs. His father goes off to fight in a war, while his mother is called to London to serve the queen, leaving Robin in the care of servants. But when plague takes several of the servants and the others abandon him, he alone and unable to care for himself.
Enter Friar Luke, a monk who takes Robin on his back and carries him to his monastery, where he cares for him and teaches him how to overcome his adversity. Later a minstrel joins the monk and boy on a journey to another castle, where Robin will be taken in until one of his parents returns.
That castle is then attacked by enemies, and the inhabitants would all be eventually starved out or die of thirst, except that Robin finds a way to slip out and summon aid. Soon after the enemy at the castle is vanquished, Robin's parent's both return, and one presumes, they live happily ever after.
This is a nice enough tale, though it feels old fashioned, even for a medieval historical novel. The antiquated dialogue grew somewhat wearying after a while. When the climactic moment comes, that the besieged castle is saved, de Angeli zips through the entire battle in less than one page, leaving me feeling I'd been cheated out of some of the action. Friar Luke and Minstrel John are both appealing characters, and once he starts to learn some of his lessons, Robin is as well. ( )