Crusade in Jeans [Paperback]

Thea Beckman (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

Rudolf Hefting of Amsterdam thought he was engaged in an experiment that would take him back to the Middle Ages to a tournament of knights. But by a miscalculation of the computer, he arrives in the Rhineland at the exact time that the Children's Crusade is passing through. A stranded traveler in time, Rudolf joins the immense children's army -- almost 10,000 strong. With Rudolf, the reader struggles to understand how it was possible that children between the ages of 6 and 15 thought they could travel across Europe, then cross the sea to drive away the Saracens from the Holy Land. They had no weapons, transportation, or money; they experienced hunger, epidemics, and death. The dreadful conditions he encounters compel him to use his 20th-century knowledge to try to create order out of chaos. In spite of himself, he becomes a leader and organizer. And along the way he also experiences loyal friendships, courage, and devotion to God. This wonderfully rich story is a winner of the Golden Pen, the most prestigious Dutch national award for children's books.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Dutch (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Book Description

Fifteen-year-old Dolf uses a prototype time machine and gets stuck in the Middle Ages. Trying to find his way back to the twentieth century, he joins a children's crusade of almost ten thousand children on their way to the Holy Land. Dolf helps the children defy the terrible mountains, conquer disease and fight evil knights. Slowly, Dolf begins to realize that the real danger does not lurk behind the next mountaintop, but rather within the crusade itself.

 

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 307 pages
• Publisher: Lemniscaat imprint of Boyds Mills Press (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 188691026X
• ISBN-13: 978-1886910263
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,480,124 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars After 25 years still one of my most favourite books, September 1, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Crusade in Jeans (Paperback)

I was given this book when I was about 10 Years old (in the original dutch) and I loved it. I still read it, 20-25 years later, at least once a year.
I have read most books witten by Thea Beckman, she is a writer that brings history to life. Her books instilled a love in me for medieval history, to the extend that I am thinking of taking it up again for a degree.
This book is not just a story, the book is full of emotion.
The panic when Rudolf realises that he can't go back home is tangible.
His courage and despairation to make the best of the medieval life as lies before him drips off the pages.
The trust people give him, the friendship from children are so well written. Everybody could do with friends like the one he finds.
It is very funny as well. Dolf has to come to terms with many different issues, one of them being religion and the unshakable faith that the crusade children display.
I read that they are going to make a movie from this book. I can't wait!
In short if you want to read a great memorable book that is more than just a childrens story. This is the one

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Translation looses the plot, March 19, 2006

By 

Gilraen Surion (Auckland, NZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crusade in Jeans (Paperback)

I loved this book. I still do. I own it in two languages and that is my problem. I love, adore and admire the Dutch version. It is one of the best books ever and not just in the childres's literature section.
I wanted my BF to read it, but as he does not speak, nor read Dutch I bought him the translation. The book is still good but looses that edge that makes Thea Beckman one of the best childrens writers ever.
The scene where Dolf (Rudolf in translation) is accused of heresy just isn't exciting. The waves that do not open it does not give you that urge to read on what is next as the Dutch version does.

Still I give it 5 stars. I cannot do otherwise. It is the book that gave me my love for Medieval History and that is worth 5 stars in itself

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars shame about the bad translation, August 19, 2004

By 

retsa - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crusade in Jeans (Hardcover)

As most people that wrote a review about this book, I read it (many times) in Dutch a long time ago.
The book itself is absolutely brilliant, but I was quite shocked by the useless translation.
It must be very hard to read for people that don't speak Dutch, because of a lot of direct translations.

I am aware that this translation is out of print and hopefully, with the (English spoken) film coming up end of this year, it will be followed up with a proper English translation.
Then the whole world should read it - and all the rest of Thea Beckman's books!