Adam of the Road facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Elizabeth Janet Gray Vining |
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| Illustrator | Robert Lawson |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's Historical novel |
| Publisher | Viking Press |
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Publication date
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1942 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 317 |
| ISBN | 978-0140324648 |
Adam of the Road is an exciting novel written by Elizabeth Janet Gray Vining. This book won the famous Newbery Medal in 1943. The Newbery Medal is a special award for the best children's book in America.
The story takes place in England during the 1200s, a time called the Middle Ages. It follows the adventures of a young boy named Adam. He is a minstrel, just like his father. A minstrel is a traveling musician and entertainer. Adam faces many challenges after he loses his beloved dog, Nick, and gets separated from his father. He must travel across medieval England to find them. The book features beautiful drawings by Robert Lawson.
Contents
The Story of Adam's Journey
Adam is an eleven-year-old boy. He dreams of becoming a great minstrel, just like his father, Roger. At the start of the story, Adam and his friend Perkin are visiting St Alban's Abbey. They go to a lady's house there to see Adam's dog, Nick.
Soon, Adam and Roger leave the monastery. They join a knight's group traveling to London. A knight's group is like a traveling party with many people. On the way, Adam meets Margery, the knight's daughter.
One morning, Roger tells Adam some bad news. He lost his special warhorse, Bayard, in a bet. He bet against another minstrel named Jankin.
Nick Goes Missing
Later, while Adam and Roger are sleeping, Jankin steals Nick! Adam is very worried that Jankin will not treat Nick well. When they discover Nick is gone, Adam and Roger chase Jankin across England.
Adam sees Jankin in a busy marketplace. He runs after him, but then gets separated from Roger. Now Adam is all alone. He has lost both his father and his dog. He must find them by himself.
Friends Along the Way
Adam makes new friends during his journey. These friends help him look for Nick. Eventually, Adam finds Nick with his friend Perkin.
Finally, Roger, Adam, and Nick are all together again in Oxford. Adam is offered a chance to study at an Oxford college. But Adam decides he still wants to be a minstrel. He chooses to travel and perform with his father.
How the Book Was Created
Elizabeth Janet Gray Vining was researching another book. She was writing about William Penn. During her research, she explored the Chiltern Hills in England.
It was there that she found the idea for Adam of the Road. She first thought about writing a collection of short stories about minstrels. But she became so interested in the minstrels themselves. This led her to write a full novel about one minstrel's adventures. That novel became Adam of the Road.
