[1] It is written as the memoir of a teenage girl, Sylvia Honeyeater, during the Children's Crusade of the 13th century.

She encounters several historical figures such as the Pied Piper of Hamelin and Francis of Assisi.

It explores themes of religious intolerance, womanhood, abuse and childhood.

Sophie Masson, writing in the Sydney Morning Herald was not impressed with the novel: "Courtenay is clearly fascinated by the swirl of the Middle Ages.

But he cannot resist the preacherly tone, in which awkward dialogue imparts too much instruction.