Crusades

What if kids kept blogs during pivotal moments in world history?

The Internet offers modern kids amazing ways to express themselves and learn about the world. Imagine if the same technology had been available to children during dramatic episodes in history. Welcome to the Kids at the Crossroads series.

Each book is written as an Internet journal, including illustrated snapshots of the action and "links" to sidebar windows providing facts about and images of the era. This innovative blend of history and high-tech storytelling is sure to capture the attention of web junkies and history buffs alike.

Crusades: Kids at the Crossroads logs you on to the blog of 12-year-old Hans, who is destined to march in the 13th-century Children's Crusade. Restless with his duties in his father's wheelwright shop, Hans longs to follow his older brother, Otto, who joined a crusade to the Holy Land two years earlier and hasn't been heard from since. When a mysterious stranger appears in the night and describes new troubles stirring, Hans sees his chance to go after his brother.

Soon Hans has joined thousands of young people, led by the charismatic Nicholas, on a march across Europe. But the journey is more perilous than anyone realized. As the dangers rise, morale plummets, and the crusade breaks apart. Hans perseveres to the Holy Land and to a bittersweet reunion with his wounded brother.

With its innovative blog style, nail-biting storyline and info-packed sidebars about the actual Children's Crusade, Crusades: Kids at the Crossroads is historical fiction at its high-tech best.

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.