Knight on Horseback by Ann Rabinowitz

In addition to World War II, I would say that the Kings and Queens of antiquated England is my other main point of interest. This book, focused around a young boy named Edward on a trip to England with his family, is completely saturated with English royal history. Richard III, one of Shakespeare's most famous villains, is the centerpiece for this novel that takes place in many places in England but mostly around historical places that were influential to Richard's life. Edward meets the ghost of Richard and gets to know him in an entirely different way then history paints him.

I adored this book for the history, but I was also pleased with it because I don't feel that I read enough books with male main characters. Edward is, as all young adults are, struggling with his identity and the contrasting visions he has for who he is and who he wants to be. He longs to be a part of something great, and he tastes greatness in his encounters with Richard. Although the story is sometimes hard to follow when Edward has visions that meld with his everyday life, the story is gripping and keeps you wondering what the mystery of Edward's relationship with Richard III means, how it will develop and how Edward will sort out his own relationship with Richard from the terrible things that Richard had supposedly done.

I would absolutely recommend this book to boys and to girls who love horses and/or history. This book is one that I would most definitely teach, and it would be perfect to teach after reading Shakespeare's Richard III, as it gives a different view of the man that history has painted evil.

I am really loving how many books I have discovered this semester that compliment Shakespeare so well!!! I think that Shakespeare is wonderful to teach, and that it will reach my students so much better if after reading it we can read young adult fiction in which the plays are relevant and resonant.