Fiction for Young Adults
Novels set in the Middle Ages or medieval-flavored worlds for Young Adults. Young Adult readers are classified as ages 12-15, though some of these selections are appropriate for advanced Middle Grade readers, and enjoyed by some adults.
- Brian Boru: Emperor of the Irish – Morgan Llywelyn
The story of Brian Boru, who as a young man took it upon himself to revolutionize tenth-century Ireland, striving to create a peaceful land where his fellow Irish men and women would be safe from harm.
Paperback: 224 pages
Brian Boru: Emperor of the Irish at Amazon.com
- Catherine, Called Birdy – Karen Cushman
The thirteen-year-old daughter of an English country knight keeps a journal in which she records the events of her life, particularly her longing for adventures beyond the usual role of women and her efforts to avoid being married off.
Paperback: 224 pages
Catherine, Called Birdy at Amazon.com
- Dealing with Dragons – Patricia Wrede
Hilarious adventure stories about Cimorene, the princess who refuses to be proper, and a host of other characters including a wizard, a prince, a blue donkey, who used to be a rabbit – and dragons.
Paperback: 240 pages
Dealing with Dragons at Amazon.com
- Dove and Sword: A Novel of Joan of Arc – Nancy Garden
In 1455 in France, Gabrielle is visited by Pierre d'Arc, a brother of Joan of Arc, and with him reminisces about their childhood together in Domremy and Joan's subsequent trial and burning at the stake at Rouen twenty-four years before.
Paperback: 340 pages
Dove and Sword: A Novel of Joan of Arc at Amazon.com
- Eragon – Christopher Paolini
While exploring the forest, 15-year-old Eragon discovers an odd blue gemstone – a dragon egg, fated to hatch in his care. Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds.
Paperback: 528 pages
Eragon at Amazon.com
- The Forestwife – Theresa Tomlinson
In England during the reign of King Richard I, fifteen-year-old Marian escapes from an arranged marriage to live with a community of forest folk. There her life truly begins, for she finds a community of heroic outlaws that includes a woman with seemingly magical healing powers and a young man who is bravely leading the fight against tyranny.
Paperback: 176 pages
The Forestwife at Amazon.com
- I Am Mordred – Nancy Springer
When Mordred learns the identity of his father, he struggles with feelings of hatred, but also fights the fate which determines that he kill the good and gracious king.
Paperback: 192 pages
I Am Mordred at Amazon.com
- The King's Shadow – Elizabeth Alder
After he is orphaned and has his tongue cut out in a clash with the bullying sons of a Welsh noble, Evyn is sold as a slave and serves many masters, from the gracious Lady Swan Neck to the valiant Harold Godwinson, England's last Saxon king.
Paperback: 272 pages
The King's Shadow at Amazon.com
- The King's Swift Rider – Mollie Hunter
Unwilling to fight but feeling a sense of duty, sixteen-year-old Martin joins Scotland's rebel army as a swift rider and master of espionage for the leader, Robert the Bruce.
Paperback: 336 pages
The King's Swift Rider at Amazon.com
- Knight's Wyrd – Debra Doyle
On the evening before he is knighted, young Will Odosson is told his wyrd – his fate: He will not inherit his father's barony; he will meet Death before the year is out. Fearing the warning, Will nevertheless bravely swears knightly fealty and sets out to fulfill his true destiny.
Paperback: 320 pages
Knight's Wyrd at Amazon.com
- The Legend of Lady Ilena – Patricia Malone
In sixth-century Great Britain, a fifteen-year-old girl seeking knowledge of her lineage is drawn into battle to defend the homeland she never knew, aided by one of King Arthur's knights.
Paperback: 240 pages
The Legend of Lady Ilena at Amazon.com
- Matilda Bone – Karen Cushman
Fourteen-year-old Matilda, an apprentice bonesetter and practitioner of medicine in a village in medieval England, tries to reconcile the various aspects of her life, both spiritual and practical.
Paperback: 176 pages
Matilda Bone at Amazon.com
- The Minstrel's Tale – Berit Haahr
When betrothed to a repulsive old man, thirteen-year-old Judith runs away, assumes the identity of a young boy, and hopes to join the King's Minstrels in fourteenth-century England.
Paperback: 247 pages
The Minstrel's Tale at Amazon.com
- The Outlaws of Sherwood – Robin McKinley
Vivid retelling of the classic story of Robin Hood breathes contemporary life into these beloved adventures, with Marian taking a pivotal role as one of Robin's best archers.
Paperback: 288 pages
- A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver – E.L. Konigsburg
While waiting in heaven for divine judgment to be passed on her second husband, Eleanor of Aquitaine and three of the people who knew her well recall the events of her life.
Paperback: 208 pages
A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver at Amazon.com
- The Ramsay Scallop – Frances Temple
At the turn of the 14th century in England, fourteen-year-old Elenor finds her betrothal to an ambitious lord's son launching her on a memorable pilgrimage to far-off Spain.
Paperback: 320 pages
The Ramsay Scallop at Amazon.com
- The Red Keep – Allen French
Conan, a young squire in twelfth-century Burgundy, is determined to find a way to defeat the fearsome Sauval brothers, a pair of robber barons who pillage and terrorize the local countryside.
Paperback: 370 pages
The Red Keep at Amazon.com
- The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf – Gerald Morris
Lynet, a feisty young woman, journeys to King Arthur's court in order to find a champion to rescue her beautiful older sister. She is joined in her quest by a clever dwarf and a bold kitchen knave, neither of whom are what they seem.
Paperback: 224 pages
The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf at Amazon.com
- The Seer and the Sword – Victoria Hanley
Princess Torina, who has the ability to see the future, and her friend Landen, who seeks a sword that belongs to his conquered kingdom, are separated when a treacherous murderer gains power, but from exile each works to restore peace and the rightful rulers.
Paperback: 352 pages
The Seer and the Sword at Amazon.com
- Spider's Voice – Gloria Skurzynski
Because he is a young mute person who can hear, Aran becomes involved in the adventures of Eloise and Abelard, France's most famous lovers, who lived during the twelfth century.
Paperback: 240 pages
Spider's Voice at Amazon.com
- The Squire's Tale – Gerald Morris
In medieval England, fourteen-year-old Terence finds his tranquil existence suddenly changed when he becomes the squire of the young Gawain of Orkney and accompanies him on a long quest, proving Gawain's worth as a knight and revealing an important secret about his own true identity.
Paperback: 224 pages
The Squire's Tale at Amazon.com
- Sword of the Rightful King – Jane Yolen
Merlin the magician devises a way for King Arthur to prove himself the rightful king of England – pulling a sword from a stone – but trouble arises when someone else removes the sword first.
Paperback: 376 pages
Sword of the Rightful King at Amazon.com
- Wild Magic – Tamora Pierce
Thirteen year old orphan Daine can communicate with animals. With the help of a powerful mage, and friends of both the two- and four-legged variety, she masters her skills and makes peace with what and who she is. First book in The Immortals series.
Paperback: 320 pages
Wild Magic at Amazon.com
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