New York: The Viking Press, (1962) dj. Hardcover first edition - Historical novel for older children - "Early in the thirteenth century, England under King John was torn with strife. . . Twelve-year-old "Big John" (so called because of his powerful physique) had always known that his father was one of the defeated. Old Marm, who reared him, told him so, but she would not reveal his name for fear of further retribution. So John was forced to serve the local lord, tilling the fields like a peasant. . . Because of his knowledge of letters and the art of healing (learned from Old Marm), John was chosen to be a page to the Earl of Warenne, one of the lords who was organizing the Fifth Crusade to free the Holy Land from the Saracens. This Crusade ultimately took John to Jerusalem. There he met Francis of Assisi, who taught him to temper his desire for vengeance, but not his hope for reunion with his father." Illustrated with drawings by Frederick T. Chapman. Author's historical note. 236 pp.