Medieval Resources For Kids: A Pathfinder

Stuff For Older Kids

Subject Headings

Historical atlases -- Middle Ages -- History
Biography -- Middle Ages, 500-1500 -- Juvenile literature.
Middle Ages -- Dictionaries -- Juvenile Literature.
Civilization, Medieval -- Folklore -- Encyclopedias.
Middle Ages -- Juvenile literature.
Arms and armor -- Juvenile literature.
Castles -- Juvenile literature.
Civilization, Medieval -- Juvenile literature.
Cookery, European -- History.
Europe -- History -- 476-1492 -- Juvenile literature.
Knights and knighthood -- Europe -- History -- Juvenile literature.
Middle Ages -- History -- Juvenile Literature
Middle Ages -- Pictorial works -- Juvenile literature.


Back to the top

Abstracts, Indexes, & Bibliographies

Ammon, Bette D. and Gale W. Sherman. Worth A Thousand Years: An Annotated
Guide To Picture Books For Older Readers. Englewood, Colorado:
Libraries Unlimited, Inc., 1996.

Children's Book Review Index.Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research Company, 2001.

Children's Books In Print. New York: R. R. Bowker, Company, 2001.

Children's Catalog. ed. Anne Price & Juliette Yaakov. H.W. Wilson Company, 1996.

Lima, Carolyn. A To Zoo: Subject Access To Children's Picture
Books. 5th ed. New Providence, N.J.: R.R. Bowker, c1998.

Matulka, Denise. Picture This: Picture Books For Young Adults:
A Curriculum Related Annotated Bibliography.
Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1997.

Nichols, Margaret Irby. Guide To Reference Books
For School Media Centers. 4th ed. Englewood, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited, 1992.

VanMeter, Vandelia. World History For Children And Young Adults:
An Annotated Bibliographic Index. Englewood, Colorado:
Libraries Unlimited, Inc., 1996.

back to the top

Articles On Informational Writing

Aiken, Joan. "Interpreting The Past." Children's Literature In
Education. v.16, no.2. New York: Agathon Press, Inc., 1985. 67-.

Bacon, Betty. "The Art Of Nonfiction." Children's Literature In Education.
v.12, no.1. New York: Agathon Press, Inc., Spring 1981. 3-.

Carr, Jo. Beyond Fact: Nonfiction For Children And Young People.
Chicago, Illinois: American Library Association, 1982.

Dowd, Frances. "Trends And Evaluative Criteria Of Informational Books For Children."
Journal Of Youth Services In Libraries. v.4. Fall 1990. 65-.

Huck, Charlotte, Susan Hepler, and Janet Hickman. "Informational Books."
Children's Literature In The Elementary School. 4th ed. Fort Worth, Texas:
Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc., 1987. 588-625.

Norris, Lynn. "Extending Curiosity: Children's Information Books." Idaho Librarian.
v.27, no.4. Moscow, Idaho: University of Idaho Press, October 1976. 126-.

Back to the top

Atlases

Man, John. Atlas of the Year 1000. Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard University Press, 1999.
[Davis Reference CB354.M36 1999]
Why? It presents a one of a kind snapshot of the world as
it was in the year 1,000. Great maps!

This impressive atlas maps the entire world as it was over 1,000 years
ago, illustrating the extent of various kingdoms and tribes, relating
facts about each place and group, and presenting the information in
detailed color maps. Booklist declares the atlas to be "beautifully
illustrated with maps and photographs of artifacts- arresting sidebars on
politics, religion, literature, and economics that influenced events of
the last millennium." It includes a gazetteer recalling the years from
950-1050 for each country, extensive indexes, and bibliographies listed by
country. Simple language and extensive illustration make this work great for children.


Matthew, Donald. Atlas of Medieval Europe. Oxford, England: Phaidon Press, Ltd., 1983.
[Wake County Reference Section R911 MAT]
Why? It offers sections on other topics such as everyday life, art, and
medicine in addition to containing beautiful maps.

With "text both readable and sophisticated, maps both informative and
beautiful, and illustrations numerous, educational, and (as the dust
jacket rightly claims) 'stunning.'" (Booklist 1984), this atlas provides a
great deal of useful information. It also includes a glossary, a
bibliography, a gazetteer, and an index. With detailed and interesting
text and more than fifty maps, and recommended as an "excellent work" in
the Guide to Reference Books for School Media Centers (1992), this is
ideal for young scholars.


Riley-Smith, John, ed. Atlas of the Crusades. New York: Facts on File, 1990.
[Davis Reference G1034.R5 1990.] [Wake County Reference Section R 909.07 RILEYS]
Why? This is the only source to trace the Crusades in maps from start to finish.

Traces the rise, development, and decline of the Crusades with over 150 maps.
Compiled from essays by respected academic authors and "highly
recommended" by the Guide to Reference Books for School Media Centers
(1992), this work focuses on the Crusades.


Banks, Arthur. Atlas of Ancient and Medieval Warfare.
New York: Hippocrene Books, Inc., 1982.
[Davis Reference G1030.B27 1982]
Why? The book attempts to map all the wars of the Middle Ages.

According to the preface, "this atlas is an attempt to produce a book of
clear and simple maps printed in black and grey with a 'story' line
attached." With clear maps, a graphic layout, and extensive indexes of
places, wars, peoples (tribes) and individuals, this one of a kind book
maps historical battles in great detail.


back to the top

Biographies

Echols, Anne and Marty Williams eds. An Annotated Index of Medieval Women.
New York: Markus Wiener Publishing Inc., 1992.
Why? This is one of the few sources devoted exclusively to women of
importance in the Middle Ages.

Declared to be "a remarkable reference tool" by Book News, Inc., the more
than 2,000 entries present information on women of nearly 30 countries and
of various social classes. Including names, dates, countries, cross-references,
and bibliographic references for each entry, this work attempts to describe
significant women over the centuries of the Middle Ages.
A large bibliography appears at the end of the book.


Knight, Judson and Judy Galens. Middle Ages : Biographies. Detroit : UXL, 2001.
[Wake County Juvenile Reference R J909.07 KNIGHT]
Why? Part of the wonderful Middle Ages Reference Library

Declared "an excellent source" by Booklist, this well-researched book
includes extensive bibliographies. Over 50 historical figures are
described, and the book includes detailed pictures and references
including websites of note.


The Middle Ages. (Dictionary of World Biography Series). 2 vols. Salem Press, 1998.
Why? It's even fun to browse through.

Detailed yet accessible to students, this set contains about 280 entries
on people of note in the Middle Ages. Black and white illustrations are
located throughout, and an extensive bibliography is included after each
entry. Recommended by Library Journal and declared "a delight to
browse" by School Library Journal, these two volumes are terrific.


Shearer, Rob and Cynthia Shearer. The Greenleaf Guide to Famous Men of the Middle Ages.
Greenleaf Press, 1992.
Why? This book includes figures that most others don't.

This delightful book includes biographies of the famous and not-so-famous
men of the Middle Ages (though it does include Joan of Arc too) from many
different countries. It provides reading assignments, vocabulary lists,
discussion questions, practical "hands-on" activities, and suggested books
for further reading on the Middle Ages.


Snodgrass, Mary Ellen, and Linda Campbell Franklin. Who's Who
in the Middle Ages. McFarland & Co., 2000.
[Wake County Adult Non-fiction 940.1 FIN]
Why? Brief biographies of important people in medieval Europe.

A superbly researched, indexed and illustrated work, this biographical
dictionary details men and women of distinction. Entries include both
personal and historical details, and references are provided for
each. Appendices and indexes also cover the institutions (abbeys,
universities, monasteries, etc.) that educated the figures. People are
listed by name, occupation, contribution, and location. Overall, a simply
great reference.


back to the top

Dictionaries

Bennett, Matthew. The Hutchinson Dictionary of Ancient
and Medieval Warfare. Chicago, Ill.: Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, 1998.
[Davis Reference D25.A2 H88 1998]

It lists battles and wars, heroes, great commanders as well as ordinary
fighting men. It's a bit light on pictures, but for truly motivated children this
book will be of great interest.

Broughton, Bradford B. Dictionary of Medieval Knighthood and Chivalry: Concepts and Terms.
New York: Greenwood Press, 1986.
[Davis Reference CR4505.B76 1986]

"This work should prove to be a joy and a delight to both novices and
experts. Its depth of coverage within its topics places it well beyond
more general works. . . . {I}ts usefulness in the areas of history,
literature, and the arts can justify its purchase by any library with
patrons whose interests are set in the medieval period." RQ

Broughton, Bradford B. Dictionary of Medieval Knighthood and Chivalry:
People, Places, and Events. New York: Greenwood Press, 1988.
[Davis Reference CR4505.B76 1988]
Why? Both parts of this dictionary (this one and the previous entry) are
great for browsing, and only better for actual research.

Wedeck, Harry Ezekiel. Concise Dictionary of Medieval History.
New York: Philosophical Library, 1964.
[Davis Reference D114.W4]
Why? A great all-around resource.


back to the top

Encyclopedias

Friedman, John Block and Kristen Mossler Figg, eds. Trade, Travel, and Exploration
in the Middle Ages: An Encyclopedia. New York : Garland Publishing, 2000.
[Davis Reference D114 .T73 2000]
Why? This remarkable work shows how trade, travel, and exploration in the
Middle Ages had lasting influence on cultures throughout the world.

This work offers a global view of the Middle Ages put together from more
than 430 contributions from a variety of different fields, covering the
people, technology, places, and ideas of the period. Each entry includes a
brief list of references, and the work concludes with bibliography of
general sources. Heavily illustrated with maps, photographs, and
reproductions of manuscript illuminations, this book is highly recommended
by Booklist and Library Journal for its superb scholarship.


Grabois, Aryeh. Illustrated Encyclopedia of Medieval Civilization.
New York : Mayflower Books, Inc, 1980.
[Davis Reference CB353.G7]
Why? Terrific cross-referencing and referrals and an easy accessibility make this a great source.

"Designed for the general public- it represents a selection of the
essential data on medieval civilization" and includes some 4,000
entries. This book includes detailed illustrations, maps and photographs,
cross-references, and a bibliography. It also includes an index of people,
subjects and places which are not specifically titled entries in the book itself.


Jordan, William Chester, ed. The Middle Ages: An Encyclopedia for Students.
4 vols. New York : Scribner, 1996.
Why? This impressive collection is intended for students, and has
wide-ranging appeal as well.

Jordan, a professor of history at Princeton University includes more than
700 entries, each with a short essay, in this impressive work. The work
not only discusses people, places, and events, but also culture, society,
and ideas of the time, illustrating many with color plates. An extensive
bibliography asterisks books that young readers will enjoy. Highly
recommended for its "readable text and attractive illustrations" by
Booklist, this encyclopedia for students is a wonderful resource.


Lindahl, Carl, John McNamara, and John Lindow, eds. Medieval Folklore: An
Encyclopedia of Myths, Legends, Tales, Beliefs, and Customs. 2 vols.
Santa Barbara, Calif. : ABC-CLIO, c2000.
[Wake County Reference Section R 398 MED]
Why? This is the only work available which focuses on folklore in the
Middle Ages.

The 306 entries are written by scholars from leading universities in the
United States and Great Britain, most a page or longer. Further readings
are suggested after each entry, including description and evaluation of
the sources. The encyclopedia also includes indexes of tale types and
story motifs, linking entries. The work is very strong on terminology not
covered in other collections, and is recommended by Booklist.


Loyn, H. R. ed. The Middle Ages: A Concise Encyclopedia.
London, England: Thames & Hudson, 1989.
[Davis Reference CB351 .M565 1989]
Why? This single volume book is designed for beginners and includes great pictures.

Recommended in Guide to Reference Books for School Media Centers, the
encyclopedia is "to provide both beginner and specialist with a single
volume that presents a summary of current thought on the key protagonists,
events, and themes relating to the history of Europe." With over 250 black
and white illustrations, cross-references, paintings, blueprints,
pictures, this book provides nearly 1,000 entries on people, places,
customs, and concepts important in the Middle Ages.


back to the top

Ready Reference

Knight, Judson and Judy Galens. Middle Ages Reference Library. 4 vols. UXL, 2000.
[Davis D117.A2 K65 2001]
Why? A magnificent resource that every library should own, this set is very, very cool.

"With a free cumulative index, these volumes comprise a thorough review of
a period that spanned almost 10 centuries, readers of this set will
discover that other civilizations flourished in other parts of the world
at the same time, of value to researchers of all ages because they bring
together so many cultural intersections in one source. This set is an
excellent source" (Booklist). Including an almanac that includes not only
Europe but China, Africa, and the Americas too, two volumes of biographies
on historical figures, and a volume of primary source documents written
during the period by celebrated writers such as Dante, Marco Polo, and
St. Augustine, each item in this set includes a reader's guide, a time
line, glossary of words to know, and index. All entries contain a box
detailing the author of the document, unfamiliar words, illustrations,
dates, pronunciation guides and a bibliography of books, articles, and
even websites. The almanac also features "Research and Activity Ideas" for
additional study. Simply amazing.


Jordan, William Chester. The Middle Ages: A Watts Guide for Children. Franklin Watts, Inc., 2000.
[Wake County Juvenile Non-fiction J940.1 MIDDLE]
Why? Another source designed to be used by children, simple language and
color pictures make this one great.

Information is basic and simple. Color photographs, drawings, and
reproductions accompany each article. While it focuses mainly on Europe
and the Middle East, the well-written descriptions of major events,
people, places, and cultures of the Middle Ages average a page in length
and provide a solid introduction to most aspects period.


Konstam, Angus. Atlas of Medieval Europe. New York: Checkmark Books, 2000.
[Davis Reference G1791.K6 2000]
Why? This 'atlas' is a highly visual work that covers a little of everything.

Not really much of an atlas, this contains few maps, but does contain
numerous other colorful photographs and illustrations. This atlas provides
a rich timeline of information, articles about daily life, indexes,
genealogical tables, timelines, and paintings organized with color
illustrations and sections which pack in dates, events, and cultural
observation. It provides essential at-a-glance details for all
ages. Booknews declares that this atlas "offers comprehensive coverage of
Medieval and Renaissance Europe, providing detailed discussion of
important social, economic, and religious events (with extra care devoted
to the crusades); biographies of important leaders; innovations in
architecture, warfare, and city- planning; as well as the more predictable
historical and political events." This work provides a good overview of
important topics about the Middle Ages.


back to the top Sources of Reviews

Sources of Reviews

Booklist.Chicago, Illinois: American Library Association, 1969-

Book Review Digest.Bronx, NY: H.W. Wilson Company

Horn Book Magazine. Boston, Massachusetts: Horn Book, Inc., 1945-

Library Journal. New York: R. R. Bowker, 1976-

School Library Journal.New York: R. R. Bowker, 1961-

back to the top

Web Sites

Castles on the Web

Castles on the Web offers castle links, castle photos, castle site of the
day, castles for kids, free castle web pages and more! From the author:
"Castles on the Web is an homage to those times, both the medieval
and those from thirty plus years ago, where a youngster, lying on a bed
with book in hand, was captivated by the heraldry, chivalry, and the
romance of another place in mind..." A terrific site with links galore,
kids will have a blast touring castles, browsing the library, and
learning all about the Middle Ages.


The Labyrinth: Resources for Medieval Studies

The Labyrinth provides free, organized access to electronic resources in
medieval studies through a World Wide Web server at Georgetown University. Sponsored
by Georgetown University, this site is most definitely
academic in nature, but there is a link specifically for
"Medieval Studies for Kids and Young Adults" which includes links
to useful sources for children and lesson plans for teachers. The new
format makes it difficult to browse, but the site is amazing nonetheless.


The Middle Ages, Chivalry, & Knighthood

Recommended by the History Channel, this site includes an enormous list of
links to online sources divided into categories. Topics include from maps
to timelines, and topics include religion, law, plague, books, and
everything in between. The author of the website is herself a history
teacher, and the sites included on the list are for the most part
scholarly and reputable sources.


Online Reference Book - Medieval Studies for the Non-specialist

The Online Resource Book for Medieval Studies (ORB) is a cooperative
effort on the part of scholars across the internet to establish an online
textbook source for Medieval studies on the World-Wide Web. All articles
are peer reviewed, and the sources recommended are uniformly
excellent. The section for non-specialists particularly includes great
resources all available online.

To see a more extensive annotated list of websites, click here!


back to the top


back to the beginning