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Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Genre: Historical/Adventure
Release Date: 9/18/2008
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About the Book: Tristan is an orphan who has been raised in the monastery that he was left at as a baby. When the Knights Templar stop for the night, Sir Thomas offers Tristan a position as his squire. Tristan joins the Knights as they first prepare for battle and then ship off to fight in the crusades. Sir Thomas entrusts Tristan with a delicate and holy artifact and it's up to Tristan to make sure it remains safe.
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I'll admit, I first heard about this book several years ago when the author was at our local children's lit fest. I thought there was no way a book about the Knights Templar would work for young readers. Then Keeper of the Grail was nominated for the Truman award, which is our state book award for grades 6-8, so I knew I had to read it. And I was very surprised! Not only does a book about the Knights Templar actually work for this age group, it's a ton of fun!
The chapters are fairly sort and most, if not all, end on a cliffhanger which keeps the reader wanting more. I would suggest this one as a good classroom read aloud-I think it would really engage a classroom and has great historical tie-ins. Part of the story is about Tristan's training, part about the Crusades, and part about Tristan trying to make it back to England. What really made the book for me though was the supporting characters. The author adds a new twist on the story of Robin Hood and Maid Marion, which is very unique!
Although Tristan is around fifteen in the series, the book works well for a tween audience-I'd suggest fifth grade and up. But just because it's more of a middle grade book doesn't mean teens won't enjoy it! I think it has a good wide appeal. My only complaint is that the ending is a cliffhanger, and not even a very good one-the story just stops in the middle!! Readers will be eager to their hands on the next two volumes!
Book Pairings: The Ranger's Apprentice Series by John Flanagan, Hawksmaid by Kathryn Lasky for another unique take on Robin Hood and Maid Marion
Full Disclosure: Reviewed from copy checked out from public library
Rating: 3.5/5 StarsGenre: Historical/Adventure
Release Date: 9/18/2008
Add to Goodreads
About the Book: Tristan is an orphan who has been raised in the monastery that he was left at as a baby. When the Knights Templar stop for the night, Sir Thomas offers Tristan a position as his squire. Tristan joins the Knights as they first prepare for battle and then ship off to fight in the crusades. Sir Thomas entrusts Tristan with a delicate and holy artifact and it's up to Tristan to make sure it remains safe.
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I'll admit, I first heard about this book several years ago when the author was at our local children's lit fest. I thought there was no way a book about the Knights Templar would work for young readers. Then Keeper of the Grail was nominated for the Truman award, which is our state book award for grades 6-8, so I knew I had to read it. And I was very surprised! Not only does a book about the Knights Templar actually work for this age group, it's a ton of fun!
The chapters are fairly sort and most, if not all, end on a cliffhanger which keeps the reader wanting more. I would suggest this one as a good classroom read aloud-I think it would really engage a classroom and has great historical tie-ins. Part of the story is about Tristan's training, part about the Crusades, and part about Tristan trying to make it back to England. What really made the book for me though was the supporting characters. The author adds a new twist on the story of Robin Hood and Maid Marion, which is very unique!
Although Tristan is around fifteen in the series, the book works well for a tween audience-I'd suggest fifth grade and up. But just because it's more of a middle grade book doesn't mean teens won't enjoy it! I think it has a good wide appeal. My only complaint is that the ending is a cliffhanger, and not even a very good one-the story just stops in the middle!! Readers will be eager to their hands on the next two volumes!
Book Pairings: The Ranger's Apprentice Series by John Flanagan, Hawksmaid by Kathryn Lasky for another unique take on Robin Hood and Maid Marion
Full Disclosure: Reviewed from copy checked out from public library
I am glad you reviewed this! I have been eyeing this a little bit over the years. I am going to add it to my library order for the winter.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting book. I know pathetically little about the Crusades or Knights Templar.
ReplyDeleteOoh, like Ranger's Apprentice? I'm definitely going to check it out. Here's my Tween Tuesday highlight.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't pick this up, but after this review, I need to be more open minded! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMy son read this and really enjoyed it!! :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is a Twain Award Nominee (MASL) and after reading it this summer it is also been placed on an Area Wide Book Battle for middle school and sponsored by the school I would for. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
ReplyDeleteI loooved this book when I read it - in fact, I loved all the books in the trilogy. If you found the cliffhanger on this one bad, then you'll definitely want the third one around so you can start it as soon as you finish the second one - the cliffhanger is just as bad.
ReplyDelete