Tag Archives: Historical fiction

Featherlight by Peter Bunzl illustrated by Anneli Bray.

Posted on March 31, 2021 by alibrarylady

Inspired by real life lighthouse heroines Grace Darling and Ida Lewis, Featherlight combines family, myth and courage in a tender story of hope. ‘I am the lighthouse keeper’s daughter, And I keep the lighthouse by the water. Keep the oil … Continue reading →

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New Children’s Books from Barrington Stoke

Posted on March 24, 2021 by alibrarylady

My admiration for Barrington Stoke as a publisher who believe that every child can be a reader grows year on year. Already in 2021, despite the issues facing the world of children’s publishing including book shops being closed for much … Continue reading →

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Circus Maximus: Race to the Death by Annelise Gray

Posted on March 5, 2021 by alibrarylady

Circus Maximus: Race to the Death is an epic adventure with a personal story at its heart and is a book that both excites and engages the reader from the opening page. Hugely enjoyable, full of breathtaking action the story … Continue reading →

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Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin

Posted on January 22, 2021 by alibrarylady

Darwin’s Dragons is a story so compelling that I carried the book around with me; every single chapter revealed a new challenge for our hero. Historical fiction that brings science and exploration to life for young readers and a book … Continue reading →

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The Valley of Lost Secrets by Lesley Parr

Posted on December 31, 2020 by alibrarylady

An evacuee story with a difference. This beautifully told, tender story of two young brothers, a mystery, and a community that holds secrets of its own captivated me from the opening scenes to its satisfying conclusion. It is really rather … Continue reading →

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Using Barrington Stoke Books in the Classroom

Posted on October 7, 2020 by alibrarylady

As a school librarian I have long been a fan of the books published by Barrington Stoke. For over twenty years they have produced stories that are inviting to children, written by top authors, of a length that is not … Continue reading →

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After the War Auschwitz to Ambleside: Q & A with author Tom Palmer

Posted on August 7, 2020 by alibrarylady

As soon as I read After the War by Tom Palmer I knew that it would be one of my top children’s books of the year. It was inspired by the three hundred child concentration camp survivors who came to the … Continue reading →

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After the War by Tom Palmer

Posted on July 30, 2020 by alibrarylady

In recent years Tom Palmer has written historical fiction for children that has focussed on events that took place during the two world wars. Both Armistice Runner and D-Day Dog are books that are enjoyed by young readers and also enable them … Continue reading →

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The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon – Book 3 of 20 Books of Summer 2020

Posted on July 5, 2020 by alibrarylady

The Shadow of the Wind needs no introduction, an epic bestseller that has become so well known that tourists may now enjoy literary walks following the characters’ footsteps through the streets of Barcelona. The introduction to the book itself is … Continue reading →

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Historical Fiction for Children – Little Bird Lands by Karen McCombie

Posted on February 13, 2020 by alibrarylady

Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres and historical fiction for children particularly so, therefore this sequel to Little Bird Flies has been eagerly anticipated since I first heard about it. I was not disappointed. Little Bird has matured, … Continue reading →

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