Sir Gawain and the Green Knight a new verse translation by Simon Armitage*

 I loved reading this poem not only for the story but also for its poetic and stylistic devices. Each line contains a lot of alliteration-what word choice!! and after each stanza, is a "bob and wheel"-a very short line followed by a quatrain.

The Green Knight barges into King Arthur's castle during Christmas and asks for a man to behead him, with the promise to find him at the Green Chapel a year later to be beheaded also. Gawain volunteers. He beheads the Green Knight. The Green Knight still lives, holds his head in his hand, and the head reminds Gawain that he must keep his promise. A year later Sir Gawain rides off, knowing he will die. After riding for days, he discovers a castle where the host is merry and welcoming. The host allows him to lounge inside while he hunts all day with his men. A deal is struck. Sir Gawain must resist incredible temptation and yet remain courtesy. Then the New Year's Day approaches . . .Sir Gawain knows he must keep his vow to the Green Knight.

*Highly recommend for high school & older. See warning.

Warning: The host's wife tries to seduce Sir Gawain throughout the story. He allows her to kiss him. She dresses scantily one time, but he resists. Descriptions of the butchering of deer and boar are quite graphic. Other descriptions of violent fighting-the beheading

-Borrowed from the library. I loved this translation. My son read a different translation that was a lot more difficult!

A Tournament of Knights by Joe Lasker*

 Through a narrative about Justin, a young knight about to fight his first tournament, readers learn how a typical tournament was set up and run. They also learn what is at stake for the loser! 

This author/illustrator has also written/illustrated two other books about this time period. My county library system does not own them, so I bought used copies. (Merry Ever After: The Story of Two Medieval Weddings  & Pearl in the Egg: A Tale of the Thirteenth Century).

-Borrowed from the library.

*Highly recommend.

Knight Owl and Early Bird by Christopher Denise*

 Knight Owl is fabulous at his job as Night Knight Owl. When an admirer lands in his rooms chirping away with comments and questions as he is about to drift off to sleep, Owl's compentency is compromised. How can he maintain his reputation when he is exhausted by his annoying new "friend", Early Bird? Eventually he explodes in frustration and sends her away. Can the relationship be restored?

*Highly recommend this sequel to Knight Owl.

-Borrowed from the library.

Knight Owl by Christopher Denise*

Award-winner-Caldecott Honor 

Owl dreams of becoming a knight. When knights mysteriously disappear, the kingdom is desperate for new men to train for the knighthood. Owl is accepted into knight school! Can this teeny knight owl protect the kingdom? 

A fun book! I especially loved the lush illustrations.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Imagination Station #4 Revenge of the Red Knight by Marianne Hering and Paul MacCusker illustrated by David Hohn*

My nine year old read this book to himself to support our study of the Middle Ages.
Patrick and Beth are staying at Lord Darkthorn's castle and are accused of stealing his treasures.  They also meet the mysterious Albert.
*Highly recommend for transitional readers.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Door in the Wall by Marguerite De Angeli*

Award Winning Book-Newbery Medal
Audiobook -read by Roger Rees
Robin is the son of Sir John de Bureford and his destiny is to become a knight.  While his father is off fighting the Scots and his mother attending the queen, he falls ill and loses his ability to walk.  The servants abandon him, fearing the plague.  Then a monk, Brother Luke, rescues him, carries him to the monastery and cares for him.
Overtime Robin changes from a spoiled boy to a capable young man who saves a town from the Welsh.
The story started a bit slow for us (although the information was interesting about this time period), but the second half of the book proved very exciting.  By the end we understood why the author spent so much time in the beginning with the less than exciting details.  We discussed how we appreciated Robin's character development and the plot more because of that earlier information.  We also discussed the ending and how it was satisfying yet not perfect.

I liked the music incorporated into it.

*Highly recommend. (I would not have liked to read aloud this book, though, because of the "thees", "thous" etc.).
-Borrowed from the library.

King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green

Mr. Green brings readers into the land of King Arthur, beginning from Arthur's birth through the Last Battle at Camlann. 
My eleven year old read this book to himself to support our study of this time period.
He really enjoyed it and placed it in the category of his "favorite books".
-Borrowed from the library.

The Knights' Tale by Gerald Morris-audio

Audio CD read by Steve West
Years ago I read these individual books aloud to my boys.  Together we listened to the books again to support our study of Medieval Europe and thoroughly enjoyed them!
Recommended for listeners ages 7-13 (but adults will love the stories too!).
Four stories that focus on King Arthur's knights-Sir Lancelot the Great, Sir Givret the Short, Sir Gawain the True and Sir Balin the Ill-Fated and their adventures are highly entertaining and humorous.
My eleven year old is currently reading King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green and was able to compare it to this version.  Sir Balin and the Ill-Fated ended quite differently in that book (sadly). 
Points to discuss/warning: violence/chopping off a head
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Ranger's Apprentice #6 The Siege of Macindaw by John Flanagan

My eleven year old read this book to himself.
Sir Keren has overtaken Castle Macindaw.  It is up to Ranger Will and his friend Horace to release Araluen from Sir Keren's grip.  Held captive in the Castle Macindaw is Alyss, the one Will loves.
*Highly recommended by my 11 year old.
Warning: swearing
The library has this series labeled "young adult".

The Ranger's Apprentice #5 The Sorcerer of the North by John Flanagan*

My eleven year old is reading this series to himself and loves it!
Will is now officially a ranger and has his own fief to guard.  When Lord Syron, master of the castle, becomes ill with a mysterious illness, Will finds himself in an adventure where he must determine to whom/what he will be loyal.
My son spent a car ride talking about this book!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Warning: some swearing
Labeled "young adult" in the library.

The Knight, the Princess and the Magic Rock by Sara Azizi illustrated by Alireza Sadeghian

A Classic Persian Tale
Both author and illustrator are both native of Iran.
This story is based on a thousand year old Classical Persian tale.
The Persian king sends one of his knights on a journey to help farmers chase off wild boars which are destroying their farms.  On his way home, Bijan, the knight, falls in love with a princess from an enemy kingdom.  Manijeh, the princess, brings Bijan home to enemy territory and her father is furious.  In his wrath, he throws Bijan in a pit covered with a magic rock.
A lot of different problems arise as the story progresses.
My eight year old and I read this together while we studied Ancient Persia. 
The illustrations are bold and lavish.

Kingdom's Dawn The Kingdom Series #1 by Chuck Black

I requested this book for my ten year old son and he finished it within a day.
Sixteen year old Leinad, a common farmer's son, soon finds himself in a position to protect the king and his kingdom from the Dark Knight and the Shadow Warriors.
My son picked up on how Mr. Black integrates Biblical truths and Bible characters throughout the book.
-Borrowed from the library.
*The library has this book categorized as "young adult".

Days of the Knights Tales from the Time Dragon by Robert Neubecker

My first grader read this book to himself.
Red the Time Dragon transports Joe and Lilly back to medieval 1200.  Lots of adventure and learning occur!
The back pages include specific facts about the Middle Ages and a glossary helps expand vocabulary.
Text features: bold, colored font; time line; glossary; map
For transitional readers.
-Borrowed from the library.
Guided Reading Level: M (third grade)

A Cold Winter's Good Knight by Shelley Moore Thomas illustrated by Jennifer Plecas*

The Good Knight takes his three dragons to a ball on a cold winter's night.  He reminds them to "mind their manners".  They, however, soon realize that they do not really understand what this phrase means as they cause disaster after disaster!
My first grader read this book to himself.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Dragons in our Midst #2 The Candlestone by Bryan Davis*

My fourth grader read this book to himself.
Billy and Bonnie must face their enemies in this second book of the series.  Billy faces a powerful dragon slayer while Bonnie tries to save her mother from the powers of the candlestone.
*Highly recommended by my fourth grader.
Warning:  The library labels this book "Young Adult".  It uses the phrase "living hell" and other references to hell (not as a curse word but a place) and the dragon slayers calls dragons "demons".
-Borrowed from the library.

Happy Birthday, Good Knight by Shelley Moore Thomas illustrated by Jennifer Plecas*

This knight series is adorable and will appeal to boys who like the medieval ages, knights and dragons.
My first grader read this book to himself.
It is the Good Knight's birthday.  The dragons want to make it special for him but need advice.  Without telling him that they are planning a special day for HIM, the dragons ask the Good Knight for ideas.  The Good Knight has a birthday he will never forget!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Guided Reading Level: K (end of 1st grade/beginning of 2nd grade)

The Knights' Tales #4 The Adventures of Sir Balin the Ill-Fated by Gerald Morris illustrated by Aaron Renier*

The three of us listened to this book on CD.  Then my third grader read the book to himself.
The old woman from the mountain was suppose to bless Sir Balin when he was a baby.  Instead, her blessings were coupled with sadness.  His marvelous deeds will only serve him ill.  All of his adventures will bring him misfortune.  He will also destroy the knight whom he loves the most.
Can Sir Balin as an adult ever find peace and good fortune?  How does one outsmart "fate"?
I was fearful that this story would end in sadness but was pleasantly surprised!
*Highly recommend.

The Knights' Tales The Adventures of Sir Gawain the True by Gerald Morris* illustrated by Aaron Renier*

My sons and I listened to this book on CD.  Afterward my oldest son read it to himself he liked it so much!
I love this humorous, exciting series.  It is perfect for boys and reluctant readers.
In the beginning Sir Gawain rescues a woman from a dragon but refuses her tokens of thanks.  Thoughtlessly,  he leaves her alone in the woods after the rescue.  His lack of courtesy comes back to "haunt" him as he faces the Green Knight and other individuals.
Readers will delight in the intricacies of the characters and how one character is connected to many!
*Highly recommend.
Warning: pgs. 18-21 is quite gruesome as Sir Gawain chops off the Green Knight's head.  The Green Knight simply reattaches it and makes Sir Gawain vow that he is to come visit his castle the 1st of the year.  On that date the Green Knight would return the favor!  In another longer picture book  that I started to read to my boys, it was a lot more gruesome than this version!!

The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short #2 by Gerald Morris illustrated by Aaron Renier*

"The Knight's Tale"
Givret is short but uses his quick thinking to join the knights at King Arthur's Round Table.
Lots of humor and adventure!
Chapters are short and exciting so perfect for older reluctant readers.
*Highly recommend.
My boys and I are listening to these tales on CD but my third grader is reading them on his own at home.
Warning/points to discuss:  Some violence/battle scenes.  Some potty humor.
Grade Level Equivalent: 4.5

There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight by Penny Parker Klostermann illustrated by Ben Mantle*

I loved this retelling of the classic There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly!  Sometimes fractured versions of this story seem forced and contrived.
In the beginning the reader sees a knight gallantly riding his steed, not afraid of the danger that lies ahead.  The dragon proceeds to swallow him, his steed, a squire, a cook, a lady, a castle, and a moat.
I especially like the ending.  It differs from typical fractured versions of this story.
The illustrations definitely support the story and add to the story.
*Highly recommend.