The Inquisitor's Tale

By Adam Gidwitz, Hatem Aly (illustrator),

Book cover of The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, the Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog

Book description

A Newbery Honor Book
Winner of the Sydney Taylor Book Award

An exciting and hilarious medieval adventure from the bestselling author of A Tale Dark and Grimm. Beautifully illustrated throughout by Hatem Aly!

A New York Times Bestseller A New York Times Editor's Choice A New York Times Notable Children's…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

3 authors picked The Inquisitor's Tale as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

A warm inn, and a stranger’s tale gather together a group of travelers as they become fascinated by the story of three gifted children that is sweeping the land. I loved the way this book brought the story of the people in the inn and the marvelous children together step by step. Peppered with real historical figures and legends this book is a must-read for the middle-grade medieval enthusiast. 

From Nancy's list on kids who love a medieval quest.

A modern-day illuminated “manuscript,” this book told in many voices stars three marginalized children in medieval France: Jeanne is a peasant, monastery-raised William has North African heritage, and Jacob is Jewish. Overcoming their own prejudices, the children band together and embark on a mission to prevent the King of France from burning Jewish books. While not shying away from the brutality of the Middle Ages, this story delights with its humor and cleverness. 

In 1242, three children cross medieval France to escape prejudice and persecution and to protect holy texts from being burned. Sounds too dark? No! The book is miraculously full of light and laughter, which is why we chose it. Terrible things happen—villages are torched, parents are murdered, horses drown in quicksand—yet The Inquisitor’s Tale reads like a celebration of love. We even get to meet a farting dragon!

Want books like The Inquisitor's Tale?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Inquisitor's Tale.

Browse books like The Inquisitor's Tale

Book cover of The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Book cover of Rooftoppers
Book cover of The Family Under the Bridge

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,471

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in France, Jewish history, and quests?

France 947 books
Jewish History 484 books
Quests 51 books