Road to Damietta

The Newbury Award-winning author delivers "e;what may be his finest novel"e; in this young adult narrative of Saint Francis of Assisi and the Fifth Crusade (Publishers Weekly). Rich in the atmosphere of thirteenth-century Italy, The Road to Damietta offers a fascinating new perspective on the man who became Saint Francis of Assisi: the guileless, joyous man who praised the oneness of nature and sought to bring the world into harmony. Thirteen-year-old Ricca di Montanaro, who secretly loves the young Francis, watches in awe as he disavows his rich father and declares himself a servant of Christ. Following him on his journey, Ricca recounts Francis's attempt to bring peace amidst the bloodshed of the Fifth Crusade. "e;Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace,"e; he said. "e;Where there is hatred, let me sow love, where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy."e; And so he set off on the road to Damietta