| "PAGAN'S CRUSADE"
Author: Catherine Jinks
Interest Level: Upper Middle Grades (6-8)
ATOS Reading Levels: 3.5
AR Points: 6.0
Publisher Recommended Age: 12+
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Book Type: 4 Book Set includes 4 Paperback Digest books
Book Description:
Down on his luck and kicked in the pants one too many times, Pagan Kidrouk arrives on the doorstep of the Templar Knights in medieval Jerusalem, looking for work as a squire. Expecting only a respite from life on the street and a few square meals, the sarcastic sixteen-year-old finds himself hard at work for Lord Roland de Bram — a not-so-exciting life of polishing Lord Roland's armor, laundering his garments, and even training to fight by his side. But as the Infidel Saladin leads his army to Jerusalem, it becomes more and more difficult for Pagan and Lord Roland to decide what action to take or whom to trust. Is a bloody battle for control of the Holy City inevitable?
Book Reviews:
Publishers Weekly (starred review): "Jinks's alternately hilarious, often poignant novel turns medieval history into fodder for both high comedy and allegory."
Kirkus Reviews: "Rich, vivid storytelling, with a sturdy base in historical events, and undercurrents both comic and serious.
Voice of Youth Advocate (Voted a VOYA "Perfect 10" book in 2003): "What a romp! Not since Don Quixote took up with Sancho Panza has a knight had a squire like Pagan Kidrouk."
Series Overview:
Pagan is a 16-year-old street urchin from Jerusalem that finds himself the squire of the Templar knight, Roland Roucy de Bram. The sarcastic, disdainful Pagan and the honorable, pure Roland make a delightful pair as the series follows their adventures. The setting is during the Middle Ages around the time of the Crusades.
About the Author:
Catherine Jinks is a medieval scholar and young adult author — a background that is evident in this series about Pagan Kidrouk. Catherine Jinks's books have garnered numerous awards, including the prestigious Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year.
Pagan grew out of a university course Catherine Jinks took about the Crusades, and her fascination with the real Order of the Templar. She was also heavily influenced by British comedies like MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL. She didn't expect, however, that she would end up writing four books about Templar squire Pagan Kidrouk.
"He was such a strong character," she explains, "that he sprang into my head fully formed, and wouldn't go away until I'd worked out his entire life span. He's certainly the strongest character I’ve ever written about. The cutest, too, I think."
Catherine Jinks lives in Australia.
You can find out more about Catherine Jinks at her website, www.catherinejinks.com. |
