(View entire post here)
Michael Spradlin is our guest blogger during the week of October 27th. If you have any questions for Michael Spradlin, add a comment to any of his posts. Here is some more information about The Youngest Templar:
Tristan teams up with the fiery Robard Hode— returning to his home in Sherwood after serving with the King’s Archers—and Maryam, an equally fierce girl and a member of the dreaded Hashshashin. Together they must escape the Holy Land, dodging bandits, the forces of the Saladin, and unscrupulous knights who will stop at nothing to possess the Grail.
About Michael Spradlin
Michael P. Spradlin is the author of more than a dozen books for children. He grew up in a small town in Michigan not far from the Indiana border. Surrounded by books in his formative years, he grew up loving to read and imagining himself the hero of numerous epic battles. When not writing, he enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with his family and worrying over the fact that he really should be writing instead of doing other stuff. He lives in Michigan with his wife Kelly, son Michael, daughter Rachel and two dogs Willow and Apollo.
The Youngest Templar
Michael Spradlin - author
$17.99 | add to cart
Book: Hardcover | 6.25 x 9.33in | 272 pages | ISBN 9780399247637 | 18 Sep 2008 | Putnam Juvenile | 9 - 11 years
Michael Spradlin, 
The Youngest Templar, 
young adult fiction, 
Knights Templar, 
Holy Grail,
historical fiction,
books, 
Penguin Books
Knights Templar
Hi Michael
"Grail blessings!" Ironically, your blog just came up on a Google search here this morning about the Knights Templar (also, of course, long a favorite topic from this end), but just to say "keep up the good work" re: your enthusiasm and interest in the Knights Templar and the Grail! Haven't seen your book yet over here in England, but will have a look around.
It is heartening indeed to see you writing so adventurously for children on these topics (& I'll have to check it out for my nephew, no doubt.) Just a quick historical comment that came to mind on reading your excerpt - isn't it rather ironic that around 1191-2 was also when the Templars bought the island of Cyprus from Richard the Lionheart, as he so desperately needed the money at the time....and, as history has shown, on his way home from Crusade in 1192 he was then suddenlyb abducted by Leopold of Austria and held prisoner, for ransom....such is life!
All best with your work, and recall the old Templar battle cry of 'seize the day!' (Carpe Diem) Indeed, we must all 'seize the day' for a better world...good luck
All best wishes,
Karen
'The Templars and the Grail'
'The Knights Templar Encyclopedia'