Crusade

To me, this book was like a chess match between two beginners. We have two leaders at the very top, controlling what happens, religious and secular leaders on both sides further down in power but still strong, and a lot of pawns who can only control one square around them. They are on opposite sides of the board, but the sides are exactly alike.And the game slogs on, and on, and on. Two boys, who, at first glance, are as opposite as can be, one a serf in England, the other a merchant’s son in [...]

This book is amazing, it draws you to the depth of war. Two boys find themselves in the middle of war. Adam, from England joins the crusades, working for the king to save his mother from purgatory because she died unconfessed.Salim, a merchant's son, has a crippled leg and his father organizes for him to become a doctor's apprentice so that he can get away from the city, which is about to be laid under siege. When the siege starts, his family is trapped with no food in the slowly dying city and [...]

A good story for anyone who wants to understand the dynamics of the European crusades into the Holy Land in the 1098-1291 period. This one is about the Third Crusade and shows perspectives of various participants very well. Not surprisingly, this story portrays the invaders as brash and barbaric.

Read with my 10 year old son. The novels two main protagonists are Salim, a Palestinian boy in Acre, apprenticed to the wonderful Dr Musa, and Adam an orphaned English serf and the "dog boy" of his master. Adam joins King Richard's crusade in a moment of religious fervour, whereas Salim and the doctor are co-opted by the Saracen troops. Their stories dovetail very satisfyingly. This is a very interesting historical perspective, cleverly portraying the best and worst of both sides in war and cert [...]

This book had me engaged from the beginning. It's filled with history, action, and tension. Not to mention the heartwarming relationships forged between unlikely friends and the family drama intertwined into the web. Would be an interesting read-aloud for social studies/history and a recommended historical fiction to high-flying upper elementary and beyond.

I enjoyed this book a lot! The characters had quite accurate views of the other side at the beginning--I liked how the author didn't shy away from the demonizing both sides were guilty of--and their views were developed well from there. The presence of actual historical figures was also fun.

I find a lot of good books every year, but I generally stay away from historical fiction because the genre is given to tear-jerkers and accounts of improbable romances. Crusade by Elizabeth Laird was different. It’s not sappy - and it tells the story of the two sides very effectively, bringing the capable Crusaders and the educated Muslims to life once more. The book tells the story of Adam, a boy in 12th-century England who joins the crusade as part of the army of Richard the Lionheart, and S [...]

I read it as I'm reading all of the Carnegie nominated books with a reading group I set up at the school where I work.For Young Adult literature I thought it was fantastic. It does offer a postive reprentation of Islam - which I think in the modern day world is much needed - and it also makes a western reader consider the history behind the religious intolerance from which we are still suffering today. I also like the fact that success is achieved when characters of different faiths combine thei [...]

In alternating chapters, this historical novel tells the story of Salim, lame son of a merchant in Acre, and Adam, a serf in England. Salim is apprenticed to a Jewish doctor and travels with him to Saladin’s army, while Adam becomes Lord Guy’s dog boy and goes with him on crusade. The two boys meet in chapter 9, after the siege of Acre has gone on for a year and a half. They help each other and learn to get past prejudice. The secondary characters, though, are mostly stereotypes: Sir Ivo the [...]

I'm sure I'd give this a higher rating if I were reading this as a young person. Laird does a good job of writing a story with the three main characters embracing the three most contentious religions in history -- Islam, Christianity, and Judaism -- and the difficulties with the three getting along. Yet, she elucidates some valid thoughts from each about the others' faith. What should have been a book to breeze through, it seemed to take me forever. This would be an enlightening book for upper m [...]

When Adam's other dies unconfessed, Adam promises to save her soul from purgatory with dust from the Holy Land. He becomes a dog-boy and rapidly increases his status. Eventually he finds himself with the Franks in the middle of war - against the Muslims.Meanwhile, a young Muslim boy called Salim is thrust into a journey to Jerusalem with Dr Musa, a peaceful Jewish man to cure the ranks of injuries and diseases.Soon, Adam and Salim both find they're no different from each other and become friends [...]

This novel tells the story of two young men during the Crusades -- Salim, a Muslim apprenticed to a Jewish physician, and Adam, an Englishman -- during the siege of Acre. We learn about their families and values throughout the tale, including how they meet and ultimately assist one another during a terrible challenge.The book is well-researched, and engagingly written -- not for the faint of heart, as there are some sensitive battlefield scenes. The message is clear, though: we are all far more [...]

I think that this book was amazing because of the story line that I loved and the descriptive way the author described the battle situation. What I loved the most about the book was the setting. Because I've been looking for books like these but most of the becomes off topic over time. I liked it because it doesn't become boring over time, and there are also shocking revelations for the main character.

Time travel done in style, wonderful historic piece.Clever and worthwhile approach to religion/s.

Not for me. Which is a shame, because this seems like a great idea. And I absolutely love this time period. Thank you Robin Hood obsession. That was the whole reason I picked this one up. But the writing was so emotionaless and awkward that I couldn't stomach more then a couple of chapters. :/ I'm sure plenty of other readers will enjoy this one. Especially ones who love stories of the crusades and Robin Hood and such. But this is definitely not something I'll be reading any time soon.

I read this story long ago, the details of it is a little foggy, but tbh it is a really good story. I loved the aspect of the war and alternate sides fighting each other in a religious war. I think from what I remember it was between Christians and Jews,,,, I dunno maybe I'm wrong either way, it's really good story. Anyone who likes these types of stories should deffo read it. Its one of my favorite stories. Truly amazing.

This was an action-packed read about two boys from vastly different cultures who find themselves caught up in a holy war. Despite being sworn enemies, unusual circumstances keep throwing them together as gradually they develop a mutual respect and friendship towards each other.

Recommended by my son. Great book. Nicely balanced view of the crusades and Medieval history told through the eyes of two boys; Salim, a Muslim and Adam, an English peasant. Lots of issues dealt with very sensitively and non-judgementally with a large dollop of heroism for pudding.

I really enjoyed this book when I read it, it holds some vague truths about wars and religion nowadays. It was very moving, and I enjoyed reading about the characters and how their characters develop into men from boys. I would definitely recommend it to people!

I think that this book was really nice to read. When I first started it I thought it was quite slow but as I got further in it got better. I really liked the message that Laird has put across and i think that it is valuable in everyday life.

Read this as a child, probably one of the first books that made me question right and wrong. It showed me the humanity of both sides in a war when I was at a fragile and gullible age. It shaped my cynicism to the labels of good and evil, and of martyrdom, hatred. Enriching to say the least

I had to read this book for school. I had my doubts about what this book would hold, I though it might be a bit boring and might start dragging in the middle. I am pleased to say that i was wrong. I found it rather interesting and was quite glad i picked it in the end.

I was reading this as one of the Carnegie awards a couple of years ago and was blown away by this book. A must-read for anyone of any age who enjoys historical fiction.

My favourite book ever. I've reread it so many times.

This book was effective and interesting to read but language features were overused slightly. The use of characters was interesting and something different to other books.

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Parts where confusing, but it gave a very good insight into the way the 2 religions feel towards each-other, and gives 3 very different ways of looking at the world.

Pretty slow in the beginning but it gets better as you progress I personally liked it I think Whitney would like it maybe

Really cool so far, bit of flirting going on with the Enlgish boy, and the early pregnant girl.

enjoyed this book quite a lot - loved seeing the two cultures come together and merge in this story - brilliant historical context