Adventure in medieval England

You may have bad days, but they probably aren't as bad as those for the main character in Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi.  Life in 14th-century England is tough enough, but now "Asta's son" is an orphan with no other family and no money.  After learning from the local priest that his name is actually Crispin, the situation gets worse: the priest is murdered, Crispin is falsely accused of the crime, and the evil village steward (John Aycliffe) states that Crispin can be killed on sight. After fleeing, Crispin meets "Bear," a giant of a man who travels around juggling, and the two become traveling companions.  While in the town of Great Wexley, Aycliffe and his men capture Bear in an attempt to trap Crispin.  Will Crispin risk his life to save Bear?  Why is Aycliffe so determined to kill Crispin?  This is a page-turning adventure combined with a fascinating look at life in the Middle Ages.

One feisty young lady

I was pleasantly surprised when I read Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman.  Based on the cover (I know, don't judge a book by its cover), I assumed the story would be about the Middle Ages (correct) and some lah-de-dah, prim and proper girl (way NOT correct).  I should've looked closer - she's getting ready to dump a bucket of water on a guy!  Catherine (nicknamed Little Bird or Birdy) is 14, and the year is 1290.  She's expected to learn her "lady lessons" and be married off in a year or two, but she would much rather join a crusade or become a puppeteer.  Told in a diary format, this book includes rich details of the daily life, beliefs, and customs of the medieval times.  Catherine has quite a bit of spunk, and I couldn't help but wonder how (or if?) she would escape her planned marriage to the abominable Shaggy Beard.  A fascinating story, this would be an especially good companion book to the study of the Middle Ages.