For the child fascinated by knights and tales of old, this story brings the legend of Sir Morien to life, exploring courage and identity in King Arthur's court.
A parent might reach for this book when their child feels like an outsider or is looking for a hero that breaks the classic mold. Based on a lesser-known Arthurian legend, this chapter book tells the story of Sir Morien, a brave knight with dark skin who arrives at Camelot on a quest to find his father. To succeed, he must prove his worth to King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, overcoming their suspicion through his unmatched skill and unwavering honor. For early independent readers, it's a thrilling tale of jousting and adventure that thoughtfully explores themes of identity, belonging, and judging others by their character, not their appearance. It's an excellent choice for diversifying a child's reading of classic legends.
The book deals directly with racial prejudice. Morien is judged and met with suspicion because of his skin color. The approach is secular and historical. The resolution is very hopeful: Morien’s character and skill unequivocally triumph over the knights’ prejudice, affirming that a person's deeds define their worth. It also features a quest for an absent father, which resolves in a positive reunion.
Ideal Reader
This is for the 8-year-old who devours fantasy and adventure stories, especially tales of knights. It is particularly powerful for a child of color who loves this genre but has never seen themselves centered as the hero. It's also for any child who is grappling with feeling like an outsider and needs a model of how to win respect through integrity and skill.
Parent Prep
No specific pages require preview, but a parent should be ready to discuss the prejudice Morien faces. It's a great opportunity to talk about fairness and why people might be afraid of things (or people) that are different. A brief chat about King Arthur and the Round Table might provide helpful context, but the book can be read cold. A parent overhears their child say, "I can't be a knight, they don't look like me," or sees them feeling excluded from a group. The child might be expressing frustration with always seeing the same type of hero in stories or questioning where they fit in.
Age Experience
A younger reader (age 7) will connect with the action, the mystery of the black knight, and the excitement of the jousts. They will understand the story as a straightforward adventure of good versus bad. An older reader (age 10) will grasp the deeper themes of identity, the injustice of prejudice, and the importance of proving one's character. They will appreciate the nuance of Morien having to overcome social as well as physical obstacles.
What Makes It Special
This book's key differentiator is its reclamation of a historical, but largely forgotten, Black hero within Arthurian legend. While many books add diverse characters to fantasy worlds, this story is based on an authentic medieval text. It places a character of color at the very center of the Camelot mythos, not as a sidekick, but as a protagonist as skilled as Lancelot, thereby enriching and correcting the popular, whitewashed version of these tales.
Read plot summary
Sir Morien, a young knight of Moorish descent, arrives at King Arthur's court seeking his estranged father, Sir Aglovale. Clad in black armor, his appearance and dark skin cause suspicion among knights like Sir Kay. However, Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain are impressed by his prowess in jousting. Morien agrees to help them on a quest in exchange for their help in finding his father. Through his bravery and honorable conduct, Morien earns the respect of the Round Table, finds his father, and secures his own place in legend.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
When Sir Morien first arrives, some knights are suspicious of him. Why do you think they judged him before getting to know him? Was that fair?
2
Sir Lancelot champions Sir Morien. What actions did Morien take to earn Lancelot's trust and respect? What does this tell us about how we should judge people?
3
Morien's quest was to find his father, but he also had to prove he was a worthy knight. Which challenge do you think was harder for him: the physical jousts or proving his character to others? Why?
4
This story is a very old legend. Why do you think it is important for us to hear stories like Sir Morien's today?
