Ever since he can remember, Robin, son of Sir John de Bureford, has been told what is expected of him as the son of a nobleman. He must learn the ways of knighthood. But Robin's destiny is changed in one stroke when he falls ill and loses the use of his legs. Fearing a plague, his servants abandon him and Robin is left alone.

A monk named Brother Luke rescues Robin and takes him to the hospice of St. Mark's, where he is taught woodcarving and—much harder—patience and strength. Says Brother Luke, "Thou has only to follow the wall far enough and there will be a door in it."

Robin soon enough learns what Brother Luke means. And when the great castle of Lindsay is in danger, it is Robin, who cannot mount a horse and ride to battle, who saves the townspeople and discovers there is more than one way to serve his king.

About the Author:
Marguerite Lofft deAngeli (1889-1987) is one of the best known and highly regarded author/illustrators in American children's literature. Born in Lapeer, Michigan in 1889, she was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1950 for The Door in the Wall, and was among the first to be inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall in of Fame. Mrs. deAngeli is recognized throughout the world as a significant author and illustrator of 20 th Century children's literature. She created a stream of children's fiction that enriched this country's literature and described its astonishing cultural diversity. Her body of work encompasses over 50 years, 28 books written and illustrated, and more than a dozen books illustrated for other writers.