Where was this when I was growing up?

But seriously - young Anna would have adored this book. It's a brilliant mix of history, poetry, music, and the human experience.
What I love most about this book is that it doesn't condescend to children - it does an excellent job of being honest about the harsh realities of the medieval world without being graphic or detached. Some of the children in these stories have easy lives and trivial concerns, and some have great struggles. Each child has a different perspective of the world, themselves, and each other. I loved hearing about the children from each other - Mogg is a hardworking member of the family and a devoted older sister, but her little brother Jack is able to pick up on her prejudices (like her dislike of the miller's son) that the reader isn't aware of from Mogg's narrative. It's a fascinating and complicated way to teach history - but it's still so accessible to young readers. I love it.

Recommended for young readers with a love of history and/or performance.