Amid market stalls, university halls, and the towering spires of churches, the boy discovers a world unlike any he has known. He meets a reclusive scholar, an orphaned girl, and a host of strangers whose motives are not always clear. While his father struggles to protect what must not be lost, the boy must decide whom to trust, what to believe, and how to act when courage matters most.
Blending true Polish legend with historical detail, this Newbery Award–winning novel explores the weight of loyalty, the mystery of heritage, and the power of silent resistance. It paints a vivid portrait of medieval life while asking what it means to keep faith with the past—and what is worth risking for the future.