Knight's Fee

Reach for this book when your child feels like an outsider or struggles to believe that their background does not define their future. It is a profound study of how mentorship and steady friendship can reshape a young person's identity. The story follows Randal, a mistreated stable boy in Norman England who is won in a chess game by a minstrel and eventually finds a home as a squire. Through Randal's journey, the book explores the deep emotional weight of loyalty and the resilience required to earn one's place in a community. It is a sophisticated historical novel that values internal character growth as much as external bravery. While it contains the action of the knightly era, its real power lies in the tender, platonic bond between Randal and his friend Bevis, making it an excellent choice for children navigating the complexities of social belonging and self-worth. It is best suited for mature readers aged 10 and up who appreciate rich, atmospheric language.