Crusades: Kids at the Crossroads - Softcover

Laura Scandiffio is the award-winning author of Escapes! and The Martial Arts Book. She lives in Toronto.

John Mantha has illustrated more than a dozen books, including The Siege: Under Attack in Renaissance Europe. He lives in Toronto.

You certainly can't fault the Kids at the Crossroads series for a lack of originality. The idea is that you're reading (in series nonfiction book form, complete with side boxes, illustrations, and maps) a kid's blog from different historical eras, in this case, the summer of 1212... offering an insider's view of history as it happens.... Here, the blog entries follow 12-year-old Hans as he embarks on what would become known as the Children's Crusade. He falls under the sway of the charismatic leader Nicholas, but Hans mostly just wants to reunite with his older brother in the Holy Land. Hyperlinks lead to side boxes that can, much like a traipse through the real Internet, disorient from the main thread. Though the pace lags at times, this wily blend of fiction and information makes for a most unusual history lesson. (Ian Chapman Booklist 2010-04-05)

Crusades...is a masterpiece of genius. This book is a must-have for any grade 4-6 classroom shelf. (Canadian Materials Reviews 2010-09-24)

(reviewed with Aztec) These clever books tell historically accurate stories in a modern blog-style format. Aztec is about a boy living in the Aztec civilization circa 1519. Crusades tells the story of a boy destined to march in the children's crusade. The format engages young readers and makes the historical tales more accessible. (Metro Family Magazine (Oklahoma))

Crusades...is a masterpiece of genius. This book is a must-have for any grade 4-6 classroom shelf. (CM Magazine 2010-09-24)

This gorgeous volume will appeal to fans who crave information on current stars in both leagues. There are lots of statistical highlights and full color photos. (Vicki Mickunas Dayton Daily News 2011-04-25)