Citation:  Saladin: Noble Prince of Islam by Diane Stanley and Diane Stanley, ill. New York: Harper Collins, 2002.

ISBN: 9780688171360

Annotation: Stanley gives a detailed history of Saladin, the Prince of Islam, who fought off the Crusaders.  She chronicles the First, Second, and Third Crusades and includes his victory over Richard the Lionhearted. Saladin is shown as generous and kind.

Media: Incredible illustrations which are based on traditional Islamic art

Personal Rating: 4Q/4P

Curricular Connections:  This book would make a nice addition to a Social Studies class because the Crusades are studied in Seventh Grade. It offers a different perspective about the Crusades, as Saladin was a Muslim leader who was respected by both his own people and the Christian Crusaders.  It would be a good tool for teaching a different perspective about the Crusades as the Christians are seen as the “Barbarians” in this book.  It would be a good book for a research project on Islam as well.

Grade Level or Age Range: Grades 6-8

By: Joanne Maher July 26th, 2009