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It is 1218 and 16-year-old John, squire to Sir Alwyn, is faced with a momentous decision. His greatest longing is to find the father whose name and person he has never known, but who is rumored to be alive. John has arrived in the Holy Land at the time of the 5th Crusade to carry out this search. After battle, capture and setbacks, John is drawn to the remarkable friar whose joyful faith may not only bring a solution to his difficulties, but immediately touches the heart of a lonely boy on show more the brink of manhood. Book jacket. show less

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There is a mystery woven into Big John's young life that he must solve. Raised during the strife-filled days of the reign of King John of England, in a rude peasant village by Old Marm, John understands that injustice has been done his family and that Old Marm is preparing him one day to reclaim his name and family honor. He must avenge his unknown father! But Old Marm dies, and he is left without a clue to his name. In the next years John's unusual size and strength (and the knowledge he has gained of letters and of the art of healing) earn him a place as page to an earl organizing the 5th Crusade. In the Holy Land John searches for a father he hopes is living still. Amidst battle, capture and setbacks, John, now a squire to a Knight show more Hospitaller, encounters Francis of Assisi, who had come to the Holy Land just at this time to preach the Gospel to the Saracens. As John perseveres, Francis helps to bring about the final outcome. show less

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Author Information

15+ Works 1,059 Members

All Editions

Chapman, Frederick T. (Illustrator)

Series

Common Knowledge

Canonical title
Big John's Secret
Original publication date
1962
Important events
Crusades; Fifth Crusade (1218 | 1221)

Classifications

Genres
Fiction and Literature, Tween, Kids
DDC/MDS
813.52Literature & rhetoricAmerican literature in EnglishAmerican fiction in English1900-19991900-1945
LCC
PZ7 .J5533 .BLanguage and LiteratureFiction and juvenile belles lettresFiction and juvenile belles lettresJuvenile belles lettres
BISAC

Statistics

Members
262
Popularity
123,183
Reviews
1
Rating
½ (4.38)
Languages
English
Media
Paper, Ebook
ISBNs
4
UPCs
1
ASINs
1