The Inquisitor's Tale

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. 

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!