Castle Diary The Journal of Tobias Burgess by Richard Platt illustrated by Chris Riddell*

Toby leaves his home to live with his uncle John Burgess, a baron.  There he will learn to be a page with the aspirations of becoming a knight.
Toby writes in a diary  about his adventures over the year (his mother's request!).
I read this book aloud to my boys.  We thoroughly enjoyed it! 
A fun and interesting story that brings this time period alive.
*Highly recommend.
The two library copies I borrowed were over-sized or 8 1/2 " by 11".  I liked this book so much that I ordered it over the phone through a local bookstore.  I, however, did not think to ask if the book was over-sized.  It was not!!  It was only 5" by 7".  As a result, many illustrations were not included.  The illustrations included were very small and the amazing details were not discernible. 
So, when purchasing this book, make sure it is the larger size.