The Accusation of Norwich: An Origin Story Blood Libel

A game turns deadly. A lie becomes law. And a city forgets the truth. Norwich, England - 1144. Miriam and Isaac are cousins growing up in the Jewish quarter. Their friend Willem is a Christian boy who plays Mob Ball with them in the streets. But when a fairground game ends in panic and Willem disappears, whispers begin to spread.At first, it's just rumors. Then a monk writes a scroll. Then the bishop claims the land. And suddenly, the Jews of Norwich are blamed for a crime they did not commit.This is the story of the first blood libel-the myth that Jewish families kidnapped and killed a Christian child in a ritual. It wasn't true. But it worked. And it lasted for centuries.Told through the eyes of children, this book follows how a false story takes hold-how it changes a city, buries the truth, and leaves behind only one thing that remembers: a poem hidden in a prayer book. What's Inside: A vivid, emotionally guided story grounded in real 12th-century events Characters based on historical figures and surviving documents A "What Really Happened?" page explaining the truth behind the myth Gentle reflection prompts for families and classrooms A glossary of key terms: scapegoat, rumor, witness, justice A discussion guide for Jewish or interfaith co-readers Historical Sources: - The poetry of Meir ben Elijah, a Jewish boy in 13th-century Norwich- The starr of Samuel of Norwich, a real Hebrew-Latin land deed- Monastic writings from Thomas of Monmouth, who helped spread the lie- Trade records and town chronicles from medieval EnglandMob Ball - Monks of Norwich is Book I in the Covenant and Memory series: A storytelling project that helps young readers confront historical injustice with moral clarity, empathy, and hope."They kicked the ball before they called it holy. They buried the truth before the boy."