Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Lemniscaat imprint of Boyds Mills Press (2003), 307 pages
Description
A young boy who volunteers to travel through time to the Middle Ages arrives during the Children's Crusade and is caught in its momentum.
User reviews
LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
Originally published in 1973, as Kruistocht in spijkerbroek, this classic Dutch children's novel follows the story of Rudolph Hefting, a twentieth-century boy who finds himself transported back in time to the year 1212, and caught up in the events of the fabled Children's Crusade. Not sure that he
The children believe that their nominal leader, Nicholas the shepherd boy, has had a vision from God, and (when they come to Genoa) will divide the sea, and lead them to the White City of Jerusalem, there to put to flight the Saracens. Dolf, with his twentieth-century skepticism, believes otherwise, but finds that he must accommodate himself - in public, anyway - to the customs and beliefs of the times. When treachery is revealed, and the true purpose of the crusade becomes clear, will Dolf, Leonardo, and their group of dedicated friends, be able to save the children from a terrible fate? And even if they do... what then?
Crusade in Jeans is not a book without flaw. To begin with, I sometimes found the language a little awkward, although I understand, from reading reviews by Dutch-speakers, that this is owing to the poor translation. It irked me, moreover, to see that the translator is not listed anywhere on (or in) the book! I also found some of the "history" questionable. Leonardo Fibonacci, for instance, would have been forty-two years old, in 1212, rather than a young student, and would already have published his famous Liber Abaci (in 1202), which did so much to bring Arabic numerals (to which Dolph supposedly exposes him, in the novel) to Europe. Then, of course, there is the question of the Children's Crusade itself - an apocryphal event (events?), now largely discredited by historians.
Still, Beckman's theory of how reports of such an event may have been started, made for fascinating reading. More importantly, her general grasp for the times - the importance attached to social class and position, the omnipresence of faith, both in internal decision-making, and overt practice, the appalling ignorance of geography, but surprisingly good hygiene (Dolf had always been taught that all people in the Middle Ages were dirty) - was top notch, and I came away from the story with the feeling that, like Dolf, I had truly stepped back in time. I also came away with a true attachment to the characters, and a desire to know more. I wanted to know what happened with Leonardo and Maria, later on - did they ever figure out where Dolf came from? I wanted to learn more about the boy who took Dolph's place, in the (then) present, and what happened to both of them, when they returned to their "correct" times.
This attachment points to another great strength, in Beckman's narrative: her character-building, and engaging storytelling style. This wasn't just historical fiction, or time-slip novel, but an exciting adventure, peopled with characters I had come to love. I had no idea how it would all be resolved - or if it would be resolved, in terms of Dolf returning to his own time - but was completely engrossed in the here and now: how would the children get across the Alps? How would Dolph rescue the fifty little crusaders kidnapped by the knights of Count Romhild of Scharnitz? What would happen, once the sea refused to part?
I was riveted! It's a shame that this is the only one of Thea Beckman's many children's books to be translated, thus far! I would definitely read more, if I had the chance!
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can ever return to his own time, Dolf, together with Leonardo Fibonacci of Pisa - the young mathematics student he meets upon the road - decides to accompany the poorly organized crusade, hoping to help the children survive. So begins a monumental journey south, across the Karwendel range of the Alps, toward Genoa, and the sea.The children believe that their nominal leader, Nicholas the shepherd boy, has had a vision from God, and (when they come to Genoa) will divide the sea, and lead them to the White City of Jerusalem, there to put to flight the Saracens. Dolf, with his twentieth-century skepticism, believes otherwise, but finds that he must accommodate himself - in public, anyway - to the customs and beliefs of the times. When treachery is revealed, and the true purpose of the crusade becomes clear, will Dolf, Leonardo, and their group of dedicated friends, be able to save the children from a terrible fate? And even if they do... what then?
Crusade in Jeans is not a book without flaw. To begin with, I sometimes found the language a little awkward, although I understand, from reading reviews by Dutch-speakers, that this is owing to the poor translation. It irked me, moreover, to see that the translator is not listed anywhere on (or in) the book! I also found some of the "history" questionable. Leonardo Fibonacci, for instance, would have been forty-two years old, in 1212, rather than a young student, and would already have published his famous Liber Abaci (in 1202), which did so much to bring Arabic numerals (to which Dolph supposedly exposes him, in the novel) to Europe. Then, of course, there is the question of the Children's Crusade itself - an apocryphal event (events?), now largely discredited by historians.
Still, Beckman's theory of how reports of such an event may have been started, made for fascinating reading. More importantly, her general grasp for the times - the importance attached to social class and position, the omnipresence of faith, both in internal decision-making, and overt practice, the appalling ignorance of geography, but surprisingly good hygiene (Dolf had always been taught that all people in the Middle Ages were dirty) - was top notch, and I came away from the story with the feeling that, like Dolf, I had truly stepped back in time. I also came away with a true attachment to the characters, and a desire to know more. I wanted to know what happened with Leonardo and Maria, later on - did they ever figure out where Dolf came from? I wanted to learn more about the boy who took Dolph's place, in the (then) present, and what happened to both of them, when they returned to their "correct" times.
This attachment points to another great strength, in Beckman's narrative: her character-building, and engaging storytelling style. This wasn't just historical fiction, or time-slip novel, but an exciting adventure, peopled with characters I had come to love. I had no idea how it would all be resolved - or if it would be resolved, in terms of Dolf returning to his own time - but was completely engrossed in the here and now: how would the children get across the Alps? How would Dolph rescue the fifty little crusaders kidnapped by the knights of Count Romhild of Scharnitz? What would happen, once the sea refused to part?
I was riveted! It's a shame that this is the only one of Thea Beckman's many children's books to be translated, thus far! I would definitely read more, if I had the chance!
Show Less
LibraryThing member bunwat
The frame is a little awkward and the narrator feels a little obtrusive, but on the whole this is an excellent time travel story. I liked it a lot. If I was younger I might have loved it. Much of the information about the Children's Crusade was exciting and interesting, I think its a great choice
I guess I'm not giving it more stars because some of the time the places and people felt a little generic. They stopped in a village, or a town, but there was nothing to make that village or town much different from any other village or town. Some of the characters kind of felt like extras or spear carriers in an opera - sort of interchangeable. I guess I could have done with a little more vividness in the settings and characterizations. Still, a very good book, and recommended. I'm glad I read it.
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for the incident in history that the main character time travels to. I also really liked that he wanted to go so he could see knights in armor and tournaments and he ended up spending most of his time with children and ordinary working people. Nice touch. I guess I'm not giving it more stars because some of the time the places and people felt a little generic. They stopped in a village, or a town, but there was nothing to make that village or town much different from any other village or town. Some of the characters kind of felt like extras or spear carriers in an opera - sort of interchangeable. I guess I could have done with a little more vividness in the settings and characterizations. Still, a very good book, and recommended. I'm glad I read it.
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LibraryThing member Cheryl_in_CC_NV
The frame was a little awkward, but that's a minor complaint. The main story was exciting and thoughtful. I couldn't believe it's Dutch (?) or almost 40 years old - it seems very contemporary to me.
LibraryThing member electrascaife
A teenage boy travels back in time and finds himself in the middle of the Children's Crusade in 1212. He quickly becomes an advocate for the children and an important member of the group, helping them through famine, disease, and battles with local peasants and townspeople. He never believes in the
It was rough at the beginning (the book jumps right into the story without any sort of lead-up or introduction to the characters or situation, and not in a way that seems well thought-out), but once the story gets going, it's a decent one.
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mission, really, and from the beginning something doesn't feel right to him about the entire business, so he works to discover what the wrongness is and then fights for the safety of the children.It was rough at the beginning (the book jumps right into the story without any sort of lead-up or introduction to the characters or situation, and not in a way that seems well thought-out), but once the story gets going, it's a decent one.
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LibraryThing member SharonMariaBidwell
I knew nothing about this book other than it was award-winning, and never having come across a historical children’s book before, I couldn’t resist having a look. I’ve seen some say the book suffers because of the translation, and I can easily believe this is true, as some stories don’t
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translate terribly well. Still, this based on fact fiction — an event in history I had only a vague concept of — is extremely readable and adventurous enough to entertain many children and some adults alike. It’s certainly memorable, and it’s an interesting concept — a fifteen-year-old stuck in the wrong time viewing the events with a modern mindset. In reality, early on, people would likely have killed such a visitor, but Dolf’s persistence in trying to save almost ten thousand children will capture the imagination of many. Having read this, I was ready to give up my copy, but I see it’s rare and selling for exorbitant sums. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Gouden Griffel (Gouden — 1974)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1973
Physical description
307 p.; 8.3 x 5.4 inches
ISBN
188691026X / 9781886910263