The Book of the Lion

Michael Cadnum's 'The Book of the Lion' is a compelling historical fiction novel set in 12th-century England and the Middle East during the Third Crusade. It follows Edmund, a young apprentice, who, after being wrongly accused of counterfeiting, flees his fate by becoming a squire to a knight. Their journey takes them from London to Venice and eventually to the siege of Acre, alongside Richard the Lionhearted. The book is notable for its unflinching portrayal of the Crusades' horrors, prompting Edmund, and by extension the reader, to ponder the morality of war. Nominated for a 2000 National Book Award, this chapter book offers a rich, thought-provoking adventure for readers ready for a deeper dive into history and moral questions.