Pagan's Crusade, by Catherine Jinks
This book about sixteen-year-old Pagan Kidrouk becoming a squire to Lord Roland, a Knights' Templar, is historical fiction at its best -- the story is funny and poignant all in one go. It's 1187, and Jerusalem, held by Christians, faces the approach of Saladin and his Muslim army. Though Pagan is Christian, he is an orphan and half-Arab besides, so he isn't the most well-respected squire, and he's already had a hard life by the time he gets to the Knights. He gets into trouble a lot because of his smart mouth (Pagan is very cynical and doesn't really believe in the mission of the Knights, because he doesn't believe people are good), but his more modern sense of humor will endear him to readers. Pagan at first mocks Lord Roland, who is so goody-goody that he is practically a saint, but the knight eventually wins Pagan over, and the strength of their relationship -- at first knight and squire, and then as friends -- is one of the book's most compelling parts.
There's also plenty of war for those of you who prefer action. Their first mission together is to escort a group of pilgrims to the River Jordan and back, protecting them from infidels and bandits. By the time they return, Saladin has taken one of the nearby cities and is moving in on Jerusalem itself, and Roland and Pagan end up playing a large role in the conflict. Through Pagan's eyes, you see how the Muslims and Christians are not all that different from each other as people -- both have committed atrocities in the name of their religion, and both are trying to protect what they believe in.
Pagan's Crusade is a quick read, but it's thoughtful, intense, and best of all, funny. I typically hate historical fiction, finding it either dull or didactic or predictable, but this one kept me interested all the way through. There isn't a ton of fiction about this time period either, so it's interesting in that respect as well. This is also the first of a four-book series, with Pagan in Exile, Pagan's Vows, and Pagan's Scribe following. Definitely check it out if you're looking for a fun, smart read that won't take you long to read, but will make you think long after you've finished. We have it in Pigott Library with the uncatalogued books on the second floor.