Adam of the Road

By: Elizabeth Janet Gray

Narrated by: Stuart Blinder

A Newbery Medal Winner

Awarded the John Newbery Medal as "the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children" in the year of its publication. "A road's a kind of holy thing," said Roger the Minstrel to his son, Adam. "That's why it's a good work to keep a road in repair, like giving alms to the poor or tending the sick. It's open to the sun and wind and rain. It brings all kinds of people and all parts of England together. And it's home to a minstrel, even though he may happen to be sleeping in a castle." And Adam, though only eleven, was to remember his father's words when his beloved dog, Nick, was stolen and Roger had disappeared and he found himself traveling alone along these same great roads, searching the fairs and market towns for his father and his dog.

Here is a story of thirteenth-century England, so absorbing and lively that for all its authenticity it scarcely seems "historical." Although crammed with odd facts and lore about that time when "longen folke to goon on pilgrimages," its scraps of song and hymn and jongleur's tale of the period seem as newminted and fresh as the day they were devised, and Adam is a real boy inside his gay striped surcoat.


"Engaging and beautifully written."—Children's Literature

Nice and fun

Did the book for school and loved it. It’s a little slow in some parts but other than that it was great

Determination

I really liked how Adam is so determined to find his dog nick. One thing I didn't like was that Adam is really bossy and disrespectful at times. overall, a good book

Good reader, but it skips all the time!!

This would have been great, but it constantly skips in the second half. It was really frustrating.

It was a great story

I loved that there was a challenge in the story and then at the end it turned out happy

Great historical fiction story

We were pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed this story....highly recommend....a great addition to any historical studies for 10-13 year olds.