<Tr> <Th> ISBN </Th> <Td> 0440402832 </Td> </Tr> <P> The Door in the Wall is a 1949 novel by Marguerite de Angeli that received the Newbery Medal for excellence in American children's literature in 1950 . </P> <P> The story, illustrated by the author, is set in England during the Middle Ages, as the Black Death (bubonic plague) is sweeping across the country . Young Robin is sent away to become a knight like his father, but his dreams are endangered when he loses the use of his legs . A doctor reassures Robin that the weakness in his legs is not caused by the plague and the doctor is supposed to come and help him but does not . His parents are away, serving the king and queen during war, and the servants abandon the house, fearing the plague . Robin is saved by Brother Luke, a friar, who finds him and takes him to a monastery and cares for him . </P> <P> Brother Luke teaches Robin how to read using the Bible, how to swim and carve wood and use crutches, to be independent and build self - confidence, but Robin also learns patience and strength from the friar . The friar tells him that before overcoming a challenge you must first find "the door in the wall". </P>

When does the door in the wall take place