Books I Recommend
Sir Knight of the Splendid Way
Sir Constant is a young knight, imperfect but fiercely loyal to his King. And he will need every bit of his determination and faith in the Great King if he is to survive the varied perils of the Splendid Way.
I make no secret that I love this book. It’s an allegory somewhat like Pilgrim’s Progress, except Sir Knight focuses more on the story, less on teaching. The writing is beautiful, the language delightfully old-fashioned but not too difficult, the story interesting, and the allegory rich. Not to mention the colorful illustrations. Twelve is not too young to read it, and ninety-nine is not too old. Sir Knight of the Splendid Way is available from Lamplighter Publishing, and, yes, it’s pricey. But worth it. If you search the site, you might be able to find a “damaged” copy for a reduced price. The story has also been adapted for audio drama; I've not yet been able to listen to it, but based on Lamplighter's other audio dramas, I can hardly wait.
The White Knights
Three boys in the early 1900’s are fascinated with King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table—to the extent that they attempt a vigil in their local church. Through the help of the minister, they find more practical, but no less challenging, ways to follow the knight’s creed.
I don’t think you’d guess from the story or the style that this book shares its author with Sir Knight of the Splendid Way. The White Knights was written as contemporary fiction, so its historical aspect is especially realistic. This story is definitely for boys (I used to wish there were a companion volume for girls), but I enjoyed it. Still do. The spiritual truth has depth without hitting you over the head. The White Knights is also available from Lamplighter Publishing, and it’s a little expensive, but these books are designed to last a lifetime and then some.
Sir Malcolm and the Missing Prince
Sir Malcolm has a plan to cure the spoiled Prince Hubert. Abandoned in a faraway village, Hugh, as he’s called, lives like a peasant with a woman named Dame Martha. He struggles in the beginning, but learns to thrive until an unforeseen crisis tests the worth of Sir Malcolm’s plan.
I think this might be my favorite book in the Lamplighter collection. It’s less about Sir Malcolm and more about the prince. Hugh begins as a brat, but grows into a worthy hero. The story is peopled with fun, interesting characters, and the growth is realistic. I can read it over and over. So you might guess that I was thrilled to receive the radio drama for Christmas one year. It's slightly more dramatic, and Hugh’s voice isn’t exactly what I imagined, but I love it in spite of that.
One interesting tidbit of this story, the method of secret communication used by Sir Malcolm and Dame Martha, was the inspiration for the Royal League in my own books.