You Wouldn't Want to Be a Medieval Knight: Armor You'd Rather Not Wear

You Wouldn't Want to Be ...

by Fiona Macdonald, David Antram (Illustrator), David Salariya (Creator)

Provides information on the training, traditions, and life of knights during the Middle Ages for a young boy who thinks that that is what he wants to be.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Childrens, Medieval, Picture Books, Medieval History, Historical

32 pages, Library Binding

First published March 1, 2004

About the author

Fiona Macdonald studied history at Cambridge University and at the University of East Anglia. She has taught in schools, adult education and university, and is the author of numerous books for children on historical topics.

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish this series was around when I was a child, because it is one of my favorite gifts to give people for their baby showers. For one such occasion I read this book today, and it does a fantastic job of combining cute (sometimes amusing) illustrations with watered-down bits about the titular topic. Of course this isn't going to do into depth about the development of medieval knighthood in an adult academic sense, but as someone who has done more than a little studying of medieval history, I have to give it my stamp of approval because it definitely delves a bit beyond the common generic ideas of knighthood, and does more than enough to make a child with an interest in history want to learn more. I appreciated the way in which this series in general makes history approachable for young children. I know I would have eaten these up as a kid.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in German The series are more childrens books, but are filled with enough information to entertain adults too. They are colorful and set as if the reader were the knight, slave, or Cleopatra, and so let readers of all ages enjoy them.

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much, in a way I'm glad that I didn't pick it up as a child because I would have been even more in love with History and who knows if I would have decided to pick up some useless degree like Medieval History or worse...teaching. I've always been fascinated with the Arthurian Romances and the Lais of Marie du France, medieval tales in general, and this book shows what it meant to be a knight in times of holy and political war. I would love it if they made a 'You wouldn't want to be' of the 100 years war about the the ruling, aristocratic and noble class.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of text features in a humorous, well detailed non fiction book: timeline, table of contents, text boxes, map, labels, glossary, etc. More than a few books in this series are probably in social students content covered in 3-8 curriculum, like American Colonist, American Pioneer., Viking Explorer, Boston Tea Party, etc.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down! Once I started reading all of the short blurbs about the different parts of being and living in that Medival World, I was hooked. The pictures are perfectly awesome and corny...even of the not so pleasant part of living at that time. Excellent way to introduce kids to history!

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

It sounds like too much work and a painful death.

[Laura The Book Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love all the "You Wouldn't Want to Be..." books

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, informative series for upper elementary students. Best for independent reading (too much going on around the pages for small group).

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My niece and nephew both liked You Wouldn't Want to Be a Medieval Knight, and my nephew even requested a re-read. I was pleased with this one, too, because while it did show some blood with knights in battle, it was less "in your face" than You Wouldn't Want to Be an Egyptian Mummy. That one was heavy enough on the "eeeww factor" that I've yet to read it to the kids.

You Wouldn't Want to Be a Medieval Knight seemed to strike my nephew as being less scary and more cool than You Wouldn't Want to Be a Roman Gladiator, and he was extremely impressed with how cool the knights and warhorses looked in their armor. He identified with our gallant knight protagonist throughout the entire book, clear up until the end when he was shown as an aged hero. "Amy, I'm not that knight anymore. I don't want to be old," he said. Yeah? Join the club, Boy. I know how you feel.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You Wouldn't Want to Be a Medieval Knight" is a delightfully informative book that middle schoolers can really sink their teeth into. It is told as a sort-of introduction to knighthood addressed to the reader, presumed to be a young boy living in England around the year A.D. 1400. It covers the full range of knightly duties, lessons and dangers. And it doesn't shy away from pointing out the many negatives involved with being a knight, from dying in battle to the struggles of surviving a crusade to the expense of maintaining a castle, this book definitely takes the "rosy sheen" off of being a knight.

An interesting and relateable book for the students, I look forward to adding this book to my classroom library.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

According to the publisher: Being a knight in shining armor is not as glamorous as it looks.

Readers follow the progress of a young English boy at the beginning of the 15th century as he embarks on training to become a knight, facing the dangers of sieges and jousts. This new extended edition includes a map, a timeline of the Crusades, and a variety of intriguing facts highlighted in sidebars. The trademark of this series, though, is how it ties history and humor together so readers learn effortlessly as they are entertained. A comprehensive glossary supports content and index makes navigating subject matter simpler. Reluctant readers and casual browsers will embrace this volume as readily as student researchers who need a jumping off point.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not our favorite of the series - the information seemed a bit chopped up, with the timeline of the Crusades not matching up at all with the scenario presented in the book. Still, these books are always fun reads.

The humorous cartoon illustrations by David Antram help to present some of the more gory and horrible facts with a lighter touch for children. And the additional information in the back was very interesting, our girls especially liked the section about Joan of Arc and other notable ladies during Medieval times.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've discovered these adorable books (non-fiction, about 30 books in the series) and have been reading them to my 6 & 8 year old boys....really cute illustrations and silly/fun narration. My kids get so excited when I tell them I've got another one from the library. Just finished the Polar Explorer and waiting for the Victorian Schoolchild. :) Highly recommended!

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a 'busy' but not to overly to be a good book. Each page has a few paragraphs you can read as a 'story' but then has other quotes and comments within the page along with lots of illustrations. So as an independent reader they can read everything on the page, but as I did I read out loud to my adult special needs son I only read the main paragraphs and it made a nice story.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate the fact that the writer gave accurate descriptions of the life of a Medieval Knight and didn't glamorize it at all. I also appreciated the additional information about a few women knights that were in the edition that I read.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series has some of the best history books for kids. Most children's history books that I come across make history seem dull, but these do a good job of bringing history to life and helping the reader picture him or herself in the time period.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I re-read a couple of book in this series to remind myself what these were like. I like them quite a lot, but they have never really caught on with students. Still trying to sell them in my library!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lively writing and clever caricature-style color illustrations bring energy and animation to accurate facts about the life of a knight in the Middle Ages. Ages 8-14.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

The kids just love this series. Something about listing all the ways a Knight could die just tickles them. But it was a wonderfully fact filled book and the kids totally dug all the ick.

[Darren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very, very interesting. I didn't know that knights had to do so many things.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

very brief information with silly cartoons about the life times and requirements to become a knight

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series of children's books, they give the basics of an historical event or figure in a fun way that will interest kids.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A smidge gimmicky, but overall a super fun read. Lots of information in a fun package; every page was a nifty little surprise.

[Mona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non fiction-Historical info. presented in a silly, but informative format. Funny illustrations.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informational on the job of a Knight...fun illustrations. Could be used as a resource for life in Medieval life.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took a lot of hard work and time learning to be a knight. All the armor and clothing you had to wear, just as much as the ladies.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alas, all our notions about the nobility and glamour of knighthood have been dashed by this fun, creative book on what it was REALLY like back then.

Illustrations are great!

[Kristy Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A keeper for any home school mom studying medieval times! My kids loved it and I learned a lot too:)

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction for kids

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the humor in history it gives