Older Readers (12-16 years) Shortlist
Crusade
by Elizabeth Laird
About the book
This story is about two boys, two faiths, and one unholy war. When Adam's mother dies unconfessed, he pledges to save her soul with dust from the Holy Land. Employed as a dog-boy for the local knight, Adam grabs the chance to join the Crusade to reclaim Jerusalem. He burns with determination to strike down the infidel enemy ... Salim, a merchant's son, is leading an uneventful life in the port of Acre - until news arrives that a Crusader attack is imminent. To keep Salim safe, his father buys him an apprenticeship with an esteemed, travelling doctor. But Salim's employment leads him to the heart of Sultan Saladin's camp - and into battle against the barbaric and unholy invaders ...
What the shortlist judges said:
"Elizabeth Laird will keep you entranced in this thought provoking tale about two very different boys from two opposing cultures. This was a real page turner which you'll find hard to put down."
About the author
Elizabeth Laird was born in New Zealand, of Scottish and New Zealand parents.
She met her husband David McDowall on a plane in India, and as soon as they were married they went to live in Iraq, where he was working for the British Council. They moved on to Beirut (during the Civil War), and were evacuated to Vienna, where their second son was born. Rather exhausted, they returned to Richmond with their two sons in 1979, and both began to write.
Elizabeth Laird's first novel, Red Sky in the Morning was highly commended for the Carnegie Medal. Like Hiding Out, Secret Friends and Jay it is set in Britain and deals with contemporary family issues.
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Elizabeth has published many books for all ages and has won many awards, including the Children's Book Award for Kiss the Dust, the Smarties Young Judges Award, and the Lancashire Book Award. Her novel, Red Sky in the Morning was highly commended for the Carnegie Medal. Read more about Elizabeth...
