About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the complexities of growing up, specifically the transition from childhood play to adult responsibility. This second installment in the Arthur Trilogy finds thirteen year old Arthur de Caldicot leaving his manor to serve as a squire. As he prepares for the Fourth Crusade, the story weaves together the gritty, sensory reality of 12th century life with the mystical legends of King Arthur revealed through a magical obsidian stone. It is a sophisticated coming of age story that explores identity, the weight of expectations, and the discovery of one's own values. Parents will appreciate the rich historical detail and the way it treats a young teen's inner life with dignity and depth. It is ideal for readers who enjoy history or fantasy but are ready for more nuanced emotional themes and complex prose.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
1. DISTRESS: The book contains visceral descriptions of medieval life, including the butchering of animals and the harsh realities of corporal punishment. There is a scene involving the death of a horse that may be upsetting for animal lovers. 2. CONVERSATION: Parents should be prepared to discuss the Fourth Crusade and the religious motivations behind it. Specifically, children may have questions about the concept of "holy war" and the historical prejudice or violence directed toward non-Christian groups during the Crusades.
Ideal Reader
A 12-year-old who loves 'The Sword in the Stone' but is looking for something more realistic and emotionally mature.
Parent Prep
Parents should be ready to provide historical context for the Crusades, helping children navigate the complex and often violent intersection of religion and politics depicted in the story. A child expressing that they feel 'caught between two worlds' or overwhelmed by the expectations of their future.
Age Experience
Younger readers (10-11) will focus on the knightly training and the magic of the stone; older readers (13-15) will connect more deeply with Arthur's internal struggle to define himself apart from his father.
What Makes It Special
Crossley-Holland’s prose is exceptionally sensory and poetic, making the medieval world feel immediate and lived-in rather than like a dry history lesson.
Read plot summary
Set in 1200, the story follows young Arthur de Caldicot as he leaves his home to become a squire to Lord Stephen de Holt. While he learns the physical and social rigors of knighthood and prepares for the Fourth Crusade, he continues to peer into his 'seeing stone,' where he witnesses the life of his namesake, King Arthur. The two timelines mirror one another as both Arthurs face questions of loyalty, love, and leadership. It is helpful to have a basic understanding of the Arthurian legends (specifically the roles of Merlin and Guinevere) to help the child connect these parallel narratives.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Arthur often looks into his seeing stone to find guidance. Why do you think the stories of King Arthur help him navigate his own life in the year 1200?
2
As a squire, Arthur has many new responsibilities. Which of his new duties do you think is the hardest, and how does he handle the pressure of making mistakes?
3
The book is called At the Crossing Places. What are some of the different 'crossings' Arthur is making in this story (physical, age, or status)?
4
Lord Stephen de Holt is a mentor to Arthur. What qualities does Arthur admire in him, and how do they differ from his feelings about his own father?
