read for schoolwork

This was a read aloud for our study of the Middle Ages and all the kids (ages 10-15) enjoyed it. The boys rolled their eyes a bit at Wolf's affection for Fritha, but I could tell they were enjoying it and it was good to share in Wolf's journey to manhood and his growth in his faith.

I liked this book beacause it was a really fun way to learn about history. When I first read the title I was said, " Do I have to read this?'' But after finishing the book I am glad I read it. It had a bit of romance, a bit of daring adventure, and a moral. I would definitely recommend this book to people looking for a fun history book!
Naomi Cuthbertson

This was a really enjoyable and well written middle grade historical fiction. We enjoyed it as a family read. It was fun to learn more about St. Augustine of Canterbury and the growth of Christianity in England.

This book took about a chapter or two to to get into, but proved to be a very enjoyable and interesting story detailing, through the eyes of a young Englishman-turned-Roman, the missionary endeavors of Saint Augustine of Canterbury.

It was ok, but it was little low on action. However, it's pretty good for learning about Augustine of Canterbury and the re-christianization of England. I don't know of any other book for kids on this topic.

"...their faith was radiant, even if their human courage sometimes failed a little" (77).

This book tells the story of Saint Augustine of Canterbury from the perspective of fictional character Wolf.

Middle school fiction as it should be. A beautiful introduction to the early days of Christianity/Catholicism in England and the beautiful conversion of King Ethelbert. The author did well in presenting Saint Augustine as a person whom Wolf knows but feels impossible to get close to. Augustine was/is a saint and his appeal lay in his ability to bring compassion to the masses, inspiring them to conversion. With all of the junk I have read recently, this was a welcome read and not an insult to intelligence. Forthright, clear, clean-cut, with a little romance and a lot of moral foundation: I loved this book.

Age recommendation: mature 12/13 due to some content and the necessity to understand historical context

Content warnings: Christianity/Catholicism, slavery, war, ref. to suicide, death of mother/father, one ref. to body weight, corporal punishment, mild insults (i.e. stupid), ref. to old/pagan religions, human sacrifice (they see the aftermath), ref. to arranged marriage to a cousin, hunting/animal death, murder (a husband kills his wife), violence/cruel death

Also: I see some bad reviews on Goodreads, but they look like reviews from young readers who perhaps were unable to understand what they were reading or were looking for something easier.

this book is really boring

This was a great book to read aloud with my daughters for our history this year: Romans, Reformers and Revolutionaries! :)

This was a very enjoyable book. I didn't realize when I acquired it that it is a book for older children. It has whetted my interest in learning more about this period when Christianity had a faded in the British Isles and was reintroduced by missionaries from Rome.

I am rereading this book. Renewed interest in subject of early British isles Christianity and I enjoyed it before.

A young boy who was captured and sold into slavery in Rome is freed and sent back on a mission with (now saint) Augustine. He falls in love and travels with his father, who finds his old tribe and brings about the beginning of their conversion. The story of Saint Augustine himself is tangential to the story of Wolf, but students will learn about him and about England during this time period.

I read this book as a school assignment, and I actually really enjoyed it! Although I would probably never buy or read this in my free time, I think it was pretty decent! If you really want a book to read and you can't find any other good books, I think this one is great, especially for school!