Young children
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The North Caucasus, land of mountains and legends, is home to a nine-year-old girl Sofka, her Ukrainian father and her brother. Sofka seeks exciting adventures in the world outside her front door but is terrified of the crusader spiders who inhabit the family’s outhouse. In her dreams, she hears the sad story of the spiders’ fate some centuries ago and as a result develops a friendship with one of the spiders.
When the children travel to Ukraine to visit their aunt, Sofka is tasked by the spider to help the sad maiden, who appears by an overgrown pond at midnight, to find her evil stepmother. The stepmother cursed the maiden’s family and ruined their lives. But Sofka is terrified. The task seems impossible for her to carry out. She tells the spider she won’t do it. Will the spider persuade her?
Part of the proceeds from the book sale will be donated to the Ukrainian children's charity OHMATDYT FUND https://www.ohmatdytfund.org/en
Here's what readers have to say about this book....
Another great book of Max Simov!!! I really enjoyed reading Sofka and the Crusader. The story pulled me in from the beginning with its interesting characters and emotional depth. Sofka is a strong and brave girl and I found myself really caring about what would happen to her. The book is set during a difficult time in history, which made the story even more powerful. The connection between Sofka and the crusader is both touching and heartbreaking. The writing is easy to follow but still very meaningful. It’s a story that stayed with me after I finished it.Highly recommended and looking forward to next Max Simov book
My daughter really enjoyed "The Fruit Thieves" and was very taken with Sofka so she was delighted to discover she takes centre stage in this book. Sofka’s trip to Ukraine was a highlight for her, as were the more general references to a culture she knows little about but that she is obviously much more aware of now than when we read Max Simov’s last book in 2020. It feels very fitting that part of the proceeds from the sale of "Sofka and the Crusader" will go to a Ukrainian children’s charity.
