This is the first of four books about Pagan Kidrouk. This story takes place in the 12th century during the crusades in Jerusalem. Pagan is a native born who is also Christian which is a rarity during this time. He is an orphan and has become a thief to make ends meet. Unfortunately he owes money to the wrong people and is being pursued. The only place that he can think of seeking refuge with is the Templar Knights. He lies to become a squire for one of the great Knights. Throughout the novel, you can see the change that is overcoming Pagan and his values changing.
This novel(series) is fairly historically correct and is quite humorous. I think that this is a great book for young teens to read if they have an interest in history and the crusades or even to produce an interest in that part of history. There is lots of action and fighting, which will appeal to boys and the historical content is important. The humour is also an aspect that will appeal to all young teens. I really enjoyed this series.

Australian Children's Book of the Year Award shortlist, Children's Book Council of Australia (CBC), 1993, for Pagan's Crusade, Victoria Premier's Award shortlist, 1993, for Pagan's Crusade; ( )

In twelth-century Jerusalem, orphaned sixteen-year-old Pagan (who is a bit of a smart ass) is assigned to work for Lord Roland, a Templar knight, as Saladin's armies close in on the Holy City. ( )

The link to my review.

Pagan Kidrouk is a teen desperate for a bit of protection from the nastiest of the nasty denizens of the Holy City. So, he does the only thing he can think of, volunteer to work for the Templar Knights. There Pagan becomes squire to the Holiest of the Holy, Lord Roland, the pride of the Templar Knights. However, Jerusalem is a city in peril and when the infidels invade it is up to Pagan to protect his new found Lord with every bit of the cunning, wit and street smarts he has at his disposal.

After having picked up the second volume of this series on a whim, I wasn't sure I could possibly like going back and reading the first anywhere near as much. However, this book is quite almost as enjoyable as its sequel. It is odd considering these young adult, historical novels have nothing of what I usually look for in a book, romance or fantasy. I think it just has to be the unique way the stories are written. Pagan is such an amazing character (not to mention pretty funny to boot) that I can't help but want to read more about him. I certainly would have no problem recommending this book to middle school and high school students, as well as adults. ( )

Pagan Kidrouk, an orphan from Jerusalem, joins the Knights Templar in order to escape his debts to the underworld of Jerusalem. He becomes squire to a true paragon of Christian virtue, Lord Roland, just before Saladin leads his army in a siege of the Holy Lands.

Pagan brings an air of common sense and worldliness to his master, who often gets caught up in lofty ideals with little understanding of true human nature. The character was very engaging, and his asides throughout the book showed off the smart-aleck nature of a real teenaged boy.

The novel itself, however, glosses over much of the action leaving the reader with many unanswered questions. We never learn exactly what Pagan's backstory is (although that might come in later books), and both the everyday life and the siege of Jerusalem are only cursorily described.

The basis of this book may be accurate history, but, despite the plucky narrator, the events depicted are not described in enough detail to bring them to life.

Hardly a stellar example of young adult historical fiction, but good enough that I wouldn't mind reading the others in the series. ( )