and I would then go on to write a University level paper on the same thing when I returned to school as an adult years later! And THEN, just weeks later, finally remember to research this book that I rememberd loving as a kid, but couldn't really remember what it was about.? Kinda cool. What's fascinating is that I am still totally obsessed with that time period and just recently (within the last few weeks) finished a research paper for my Perspectives on Globalization class, about the effects of the Crusades on Islam of the Middle Ages, focusing on the Muslim population in the first seige of Jerusalem!! Strange right? Religious discrimination and the violence/dark side of "God's War" are the major themes in this book, that I read at the tender age of 13. What I now find most interesting is that once I found it, I realized it takes place during the First Crusade in 1096, which I had completely forgotten about that until I reread the summary. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission Copyright information for reviewers.I could not for the life of me remember the title or author of this book and it was driving me crazy because I remembered loving it as a kid. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained.
The materials in this archive are copyright © The Manitoba Library Association. Meredith MacKeen is a teacher-Librarian at Souris Regional High School in Souris, Prince Edward Island The novel has possibilities as a read aloud for grades 5 to 7 and will appeal to independent readers willing to venture beyond contemporary settings. History teachers will appreciate the incidental description of the medieval way of life. English teachers will appreciate the irony and clever integration of the theme of wolves. The simple, direct style builds good suspense and the happy ending will please many. Would a Jewish boy survive raids, Ursula the advances of abusive men, and Bruno the trauma of battles to meet again in Cologne and find a purse of silver coins? Ursula mellows during the experiences but Bruno and her father remain one dimensional. The adventures along the route are an unending series of separations, massacres, starvation and violence, but all ends well.įor a novel which so realistically describes the crusades, the resolution of the plot seems unlikely. Her best friend Bruno is extremely critical of the crusade but ultimately joins Ursula. Her father rescues her from burning at the stake by taking her on the crusade, which is being led by the local count, a suspicious character.
Ursula, a healer of both animals and people, is suspected of being a witch. Through all the trauma of life in medieval Europe, the two support each other and eventually marry when they return to Cologne. Ursula, a feisty young healer, along with her friend Bruno, reluctantly joins the First Crusade.
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