The illustrations are softly conceived images of dress, housing, cities (villages), castles, and life in general during this period. The author takes you through the days of a young school age miss. The author also delves into the variety of classes in the feudal system of the time. She doesn't call the lowest of the low "slaves" but chooses to call them the "un-free." The "un-free" peoples were not free to do as they chose, however, and they could not even leave their village without permission. The difference between the nobility, well to do, free, un-free, and poor is pretty clearly defined in the book. It will reveal to the reader that the very poor might live in a one-room hut made out of sticks, clay, and daub and that the hut has no chimney but still they have a fire for cooking inside the hut. Also, that the hut is shared with the family's animals. Life was hard, indeed.
The quantity of soft-facts given in the book makes a good introduction to learning about history. It reads easily, though not for very young readers. I'd say perhaps grades 4-6. But it can be read to younger children with comprehension. I think that reading this will open the door for children's pursuit of more definitive research and even toward reading fiction about the period - King Arthur and other tales.
There is a glossary in the back that can be helpful when the reader comes across a word that perplexes them. The couple of pages of famous people from the Middle Ages is interesting and could lead to the reader seeking to do some biographical research.
About the book: Join Carole P. Roman and travel through time to visit the most interesting civilizations throughout history in her exciting new series.
Learn what kind of food you might have eaten during the Middle Ages, the clothes you might wear, what your name could be, and children did for fun.
If You Were Me and Lived in...does for history what her other award-winning series did for culture.
So get on-board this time-travel machine and discover the world through the eyes of a young person just like you.
GIVEAWAY
2 winners each receive 1 copy of "Middle Ages"
Begins September 13
Begins September 13
ENDS October 4 @ 12:01 a.m. ET
Open to USA addresses only.
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the author to facilitate a review of my honest opinions. I received no compensation.
1. The Middle Ages were a time of great turmoil where battles were fought and lives were lost over religion and power. It was conversely a time when philosophy and science began emerging as well. I believe this was a very challenging time period in which to live.
ReplyDelete2. I can not imagine having to live without some of today's most basic modern conveniences such as heat and motorized travel.
I think the clothes are very interesting. I think the hardest to do would be to live in the same dwelling that the animals lived it. It is so different than what we have experienced today. It is inconceivable.
ReplyDeleteI think what is most interesting to me is the place books had during the time. You were very wealthy indeed if you had just one! I think it would be most difficult to live without modern plumbing, refrigeration for foods, and especially, vaccines for disease.
ReplyDeleteI would love to go back in time, the food was not poisoned by gmos.
ReplyDeleteClothing was made by hand.
Historical context is important to me. I think I would have a tough time without the internet back in the middle ages. I have to know about pop star celebrity feuds or I might die.
ReplyDeleteUn-free is such an interesting choice of words. Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
ReplyDeleteTina