From: Karleen Bradford <karleen.bradford>
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 18:08:06 -0500

Connie, thank you for bringing Kevin Crossley-Holland's and Catherine Jinks's books to my attention. I haven't read them, but will put them on my list immediately.

I was particularly interested in your comments about the crusades sowing the seeds of the conflicts in the Middle East today. I have written four books for young adults about the crusades, a fifth will be published next spring/summer. During the years I've researched these books I have come to the same conclusion.

I discuss the books with students of all religious faiths. The early persecution of the Jews by the crusaders gives rise to a lot of discussion in Hebrew schools, the point of view of the Muslim characters gives rise to an equal amount of discussion in schools with Muslim students. And it is interesting to speculate what our world would be like today if the crusades had not taken place.

I also was pleased to see your reference to Saladin's "humane conquest" of Jerusalem. A contrast to the blood bath that followed the first crusaders' conquest of the city.

The books I have published are:

There Will be Wolves Shadows on a Sword Lionheart's Scribe Angeline Stephen (Summer of 2005)

All published by HarperCollins Canada. They are described on my website.

There Will be Wolves also published by Puffin Books, USA.

Karleen

Karleen Bradford karleen.bradford at sympatico.ca www.karleenbradford.com
Received on Mon 29 Nov 2004 05:08:06 PM CST