It all begins with a dog.  A poor peasant couple leaves their baby daughter with only a dog for a babysitter.  When they return, they find the dog covered in blood.  Crazy with grief, they kill the dog only to find their daughter safe and sound in her crib.   Years later, their daughter Jeanne sees the ghost of this dog, and Saint Gwenforte, the one and only canine saint is born.  Seeing ghosts is not popular with the church so Jeanne has to go on the run so she won’t be burned at the stake.  On her journey she meets Jacob, a Jewish boy who can heal any wound, and William, a young monk with supernatural strength.  You will laugh your way through the children’s adventures as they defeat a deadly farting dragon (it turns out he’s just allergic to cheese), convince evil knights to cover themselves in poop, and generally avoid being martyred.

Book reviewed by Mary S., Youth Services Department Head