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New Additions 2001 and 2002

This bibliography is being continually updated. Below are the titles of all books added in the years 2001 and 2002.

Click on the link on the link and you will be taken to the full note on the book.

The Right Moment, David Belbin

In section The Twentieth Century. The Second World War. Europe.

Southern France during the Second World War. A teenage boy has to decide whether or not to join the Maquis.

Milo's Olympics. A Story of Ancient Greece, Richard Brown

In section Ancient Greece. Three children and threats and bribery at the ancient Olympic Games.

The Lost Diary of King Henry VIII's Executioner, Steve Barlow and Steve Skidmore.

In section Sixteenth Century -- General

A humourous look at the reign of King Henry VIII

Black Horses for the King, Anne McCaffrey

In section King Arthur.

Young Galwyn Varianus accompanies Arthur to the great horse fair in the Pyrenees and helps him to buy Libyan horses. He then accompanies him back to England and Chester where he watches the horses being trained as warhorses and learns how to make 'sandals' to protect their feet. A fascinating and unusual story about King Arthur.

My Story. Trafalgar. James Grant, HMS Norseman 1799-1806, Bryan Perrett,

In section Nineteenth Century -- Navy

A young midshipman at the Battle of Trafalgar

My Story. The Great Plague.The Diary of Alice Paynton, London 1665-1666, Pamela Oldfield

In section Seventeenth Century -- The Great Plague and the Fire of London

The fictional diary of a teenage girl in London during the Great Plague.

The Birchbark House, Louise Erdrich

In section America.

A young girl growing up as a member of the Objibwa tribe on an island in Lake Superior in 1847.

A Long Way from Chicago, Richard Peck,

In section America -- Twentieth Century.

Rural America in the Depression years and a remarkable old woman.

My Story. The '45 Rising. The Diary of Euphemia Grant, Scotland, 1745-1746, Frances Mary Hendry

In section Eighteenth Century -- Jacobites. The fictional diary of a teenage girl in Scotland at the time of the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745.

Match of Death, James Riordan

In section Second World War -- Europe

Kiev under German occupation. A junior football team, the Kiev Dinamos, play against a professional German side. They are told before the match that if they win they will be put to death.

The Great Fire of London, Jill Atkins

In section Seventeenth Century -- Plague and Fire

The Great Fire of London as seen through the eyes of a young boy. For very young children

Lucas Whitaker, Cynthia Defelice

In section -- America

Medicine in the middle of the nineteenth century. The struggle between the old superstitions and the new scientific approach. A twelve-year-old boy who has lost his whole family to consumption becomes apprenticed to a doctor.

My Story. Blitz. The Diary of Edie Benson, 1940-1942,Vince Cross

In section Second World War. Britain. 10+

The fictional diary of a young girl in the London Blitz.

My Story. My Tudor Queen. The Diary of Eva De Puebla, Alison Prince

In section Sixteenth Century -- General

The fictional diary of Katharine of Aragon's interpreter. Teenage

Journey to the River Sea, Eva Ibbotson

In section Twentieth Century -- Brazil

A young girl goes to the Amazon to stay with distant relatives in the Brazil of the wealthy rubber planters in the early twentieth century.

Matilda Bone, Karen Cushman

In section Middle Ages -- Teenagers

Matilda was brought up in a manor house and her educatioj was entrusted to the priest. But when she becomes fourteen she is taken away from this life of study and prayer to live with Peg the bonesetter. Matilda has to learn to adjust to a completely new life.

That Rebellious Towne, Frances Usher

In section Seventeenth Century -- Cavaliers and Roundheads

One particular incident in the English Civil War -- the siege of Lyme -- as seen through the eyes of a thirteen-year-old girl and a twelve-year-old boy.

Young Heroes of History, Alan N. Kay

In section America.

This is a series of ten books following the fortunes of one family through the years of the American Civil War. The author, an award winning teacher, has an extensive web site with notes and plans for lessons. Click on the blue line and you will be taken to the first book in the series and scroll down for the rest.

Send 'em South

The first book in the series where the readers are introduced the Irish family, the Adams family, which is at the centre of the series. Boston in the 1850s and the Fugitive Slave Act.

On the Trail of John Brown's Body.

The second book in the series. Kansas and Nebraska and John Brown's raid.

My Story. The Crystal Palace. The Diary of Lily Hicks, London, 1850-1851, Frances Mary Hendry

In section Nineteenth Century -- Social conditions.

Lily Hicks, a young housemaid, keeps a diary for a year. The daily life of a servant is contrasted with the building of the Crystal Palace and the preparations for the Great Exhibition.

Our Canadian Girls

In section Canada.

This is a series of books each featuring a ten-year-old girl. There is a short story about her which illustrates an aspect of Canadian history. Click on the link and you will be taken to the first book in the series.

Castle Diary, The Journal of Tobias Burgess, Page, Richard Platt and Chris Riddell

In section Middle Ages -- Younger children

A beautifully illustrated large format paperback. Follows a young page through his first year in a medieval castle. Packed with information presented in a very interesting way.

The Slave Boy. The Life of Olaudah Equiano, Laurie Sheehan

In section Eighteenth Century -- Slavery.

A novelised account of the life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa. A slave who was freed, learned to read and write and wrote down his story, and who worked with Granville Sharp to abolish the slave trade. A tribute to a most remarkable man.

The Roman Mysteries, Caroline Lawrence

In section Roman Mysteries.

This is a series of historical mysteries set in Roman times. They concern the adventures of young Flavia Gemina and her three friends. Click on the link and you will be taken to the first book in the series. You can then scroll down to the later ones in the series. For the 8-12 age group.

The Roman Mysteries. The Thieves of Ostia, Caroline Lawrence

In section Roman Times -- Younger Children.

A historical mystery set in Ostia, the port for Rome.

The Roman Mysteries. The Secrets of Vesuvius, Caroline Lawrence

This is the second in the series about Flavia and her friends. More mysteries for Flavia to solve before she gets caught up in the eruption of Vesusivius.

The Roman Mysteries. The Pirates of Pompeii, Caroline Lawrence.

There is a huge refugee camp on the beach south of Vesusivius. Children start to go missing from the camp. What has happened to them? Have they been kidnapped? Flavia has a plan to find out but it is dangerous. Will Flavia and her friends find the missing children or will they share their fate?

Quest for A Queen, Frances Mary Hendry

In section Sixteenth Century -- Mary Queen of Scots. Also in section Scotland -- before 1800

This is a trilogy about Mary Queen of Scots. Click on the link and you will be taken to the first book in the trilogy.

Quest for a Queen. The Lark, Frances Mary Hendry.

Mary's life at the French court before she went to Scotland. Also an adventure story about two young people.

The Kite Rider, Geraldine McCaughrean

In section Ancient China.

Adventure in Ancient China at the time of the Kublai Khan. Teenage

Oranges and Murder, Alison Prince

In section Nineteenth Century -- Adventure in London

Mystery and adventure in Victorian London.

The Time-Travelling Cat and the Roman Eagle, Julia Jarman

In section Roman Times -- Younger Children.

The third story in the series about Ka, the time-travelling cat and her young master, Topher Hope. Calleva and the conflict between the Britons and Druids and the Romans.

Sorcery and Gold, Rosalind Kerven

In the section The Vikings.

Adventure in Viking Iceland. For Key Stage 2.

The Shakespeare Stealer, Gary Blackwood

In the section Sixteenth Century -- Shakespeare.

Widge's apprenticeship is bought by a strange man who means to force him to copy the script of Hamlet. Widge becomes an apprentice with The Chamberlain's Men. He has been brought up in an orphanage and now, for the first time in his life, he has friends. Friends? They are more like a family. Is he really to betray them?

Setna's Journey, Richard Brown

In section Ancient Egypt

A rites of passage story set in Ancient Egypt. For ages 7-11.

The Hagstone, David Oakden

In section Sixteenth Century -- General

Exciting adventure story set in the England of Queen Elizabeth. For the age group 77-11.

A Camp to Hide King Alfred, Roy Apps

In the section on Anglo-Saxons.

How a young boy helps King Alfred. For ages 7-11

Quest for a Kelpie, Frances Mary Hendry

In the sections Eighteenth Century -- The Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. Also in section Scotland before 1800.

An exciting story about a fisher girl who goes to work in a town house in Nairn just before the Jacobite Rebellion. An exciting story with a detailed and authentic historical background. An extra bonus in the form of an element of traditional Scottish legend and folklore.

The Joslin de Lay Mysteries V: Angel's Snare, Denis Hamley

In the section Middle Ages -- Teenagers.

A medieval mystery written around the building of Hereford Cathedral.

The Great Grosvenor Hotel Scandal, Ann Spokes Symonds

In the section Nineteenth Century -- Fraud and the Law.

A fictionalised account of a real incident. The shareholders of the Grosvenor Hotel were being defrauded. This book shows how the corruption was exposed and gives details of the ensuing court case.

Hold my Hand and Run, Margaret McAllister

In section Sixteenth Century -- General.

Set in the sixteenth century after the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Two children run away from their cruel aunt. They face hardship and betrayal before eventually finding refuge in a caring community. But this is not just an adventure story. It also contains deep reflections on guilt and facing up to responsibilities.

Tug of War, Joan Lingard

Between two Worlds, Joan Lingard

In section Twentieth Century -- Refugees

In September 1944 the Russians advanced eastwards into the Baltic States. This meant that the Petersons family have to flee to Germany as the father, Lukas, has been classified as an "Enemy of the People." Tug of War tells how the family escape to Germany and describes their experiences in various refugee camps. Between Two Worlds describes how the Petersons try to make new lives for themselves in Canada.

The Droving Lad, Kathleen Fidler

In sections Scotland after 1800 and also Nineteenth Century -- Scotland.

Scotland in 1813. Two boys and a herdsman drive their father's cattle to Falkirk market and later to a farm outside Penrith. This turns out to be an eventful undertaking as thieves try to steal the bull Torcull the Black. As well as trying to elude the thieves there are also the dangers of the cattle drove -- as when they get caught by the tide in the mist when trying to ford the Solway. But the boys have the help of two rather unexpected characters -- a little tinker girl and an escaped French prisoner of war.

An exciting tale with a detailed and authentic background.

Tucket's Ride, Gary Paulsen

In the section -- America. The link takes you to Mr Tucket, the first book in the series.

This is a sequel to Mr Tucket where a fourteen-year-old boy is kidnapped from a wagon train on the Oregon Trail. He is later rescued by a mountain man and sets out to find his family again -- which he is still doing in this sequel along with Lottie and Billy, the two children for whom he has made himself responsible.

All three have many more adventures including being captured by the dreaded Comancheros but there is also a description of an almost idyllic stay in a village of the pueblo dwellers.

Chains, Frances Mary Hendry

In the section Eighteenth Century -- Slavery

This novel explores -- in all its forms -- the institution of slavery in the eighteenth century.

Juliet Smethwick, the daughter of a Liverpool merchant, disguises herself as her twin brother and takes his place on one of her father's ships.

The First of Midnight, Marjorie Darke

In the section Eighteenth Century -- Slavery.

Bristol at the end of the eighteenth century. Midnight is a slave who was brought to Bristol from the Caribbean. Once in England his path crosses that of Jess, a girl who has been brought up in a workhouse and who, although technically free, might just as well be a slave.

Martin Hyde, John Masefield

In the section Seventeenth Century -- The West Country and the Monmouth Rebellion.

A thirteen-year-old boy in the Monmouth Rebellion

The Arthur Trilogy, Kevin Crossley-Holland

In the section The Middle Ages -- 7-13.

A trilogy about a boy growing up in medieval England, becoming a squire and going on Crusade. Linked to the story of King Arthur.

Click on the blue line and you will be taken to the first book in the trilogy and scroll down to the other two.

Arthur. The Seeing Stone

A thirteen-year-old boy growing up in a large manor house in the country between England and Wales at the end of the 12th century. Linked to the story of Arthur.

Arthur. At the Crossing Places

Arthur goes to become a squire, and, at the end of a year, takes his vows and goes on Crusade.

Winning his Spurs, G.A.Henty

In the section The Middle Ages -- 7-13.

Young Cuthbert de Lance goes on Crusade and is knighted by King Richard for valour on the battle field. Back in England Cuthbert has to deal with a false knight before accompanying Blondel on his search for the kidnapped King Richard.

Plundering Paradise, Geraldine McCaughrean

In the section Eighteenth Century -- Pirates.

A highly original and well researched story of the pirates of Madagascar. Really ingenious plotting.

Maddocks, or how to discover America, Peter Oram

In the section on The Middle Ages.

The story of Madog, the legendary Welshman who may have sailed to America in the 12th century. Linked with the present day story of a boy working out his relationships with his family.

Bonnie Prince Charlie. A Tale of Fonteney and Culloden, G.A. Henty.

In sections Eighteenth Century -- Scotland, Eighteenth Century -- Scotland. The Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. And also in Scotland up to 1800.

Ronald Leslie has been brought up by a Glasgow baillie. He helps a Jacobite agent to escape but is himself arrested. He is taken to London for trial but escapes. He goes to France and serves in the Scots regiment and fights at the Battle of Fonteney. After killing the King's favourite in a duel he joins Bonnie Prince Charlie and sails with him to Scotland in 1745.

Before this, while still in France, Ronald searched for his father who had been imprisoned under one of the notorious lettres de cachet.

The Cat of Bubastes. A Tale of Ancient Egypt, G.A.Henty.

A thrilling tale of a captive slave boy in Ancient Egypt. Contains much detail about the way of life of the Ancient Egyptians -- and their religion.

In the section Ancient Egypt.

In the Reign of Terror. The Adventures of a Westminster Boy, G.A. Henty.

In the section Eighteenth Century -- The French Revolution and Napoleon.

Harry Sandwith, the son of an English doctor and a Westminster schoolboy, goes to spend three years with the family of a French Marquis. When the French royal family are brought back to Paris after the failure of their escape attempt, the Marquis says that his place is beside the King and takes his whole family to Paris.

Then disaster. The Marquis and his wife are killed in the riots of September 2nd. But Harry has now made himself the protector of the three daughters of the family. He has a dangerous plan to smuggle them across France to the coast where they hope to board a ship for England.

This thrilling story from a great Victorian writer even brings in Robespierre himself. It shows the carnage of Paris and the coffin ships of Nantes. Click on the line for more details.

A Boy's Will, Erik Christian Haugaard

In the section on John Paul Jones.

A young boy living on the south west coast of Ireland sails out to warn John Paul Jones of a British trap.

Shylock's Daughter, Mirjam Pressler

In sections Sixteenth Century -- Shakespeare and also in Sixteenth Century -- The Persecution of the Jews

This book tells the story of Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice from the point of view of Shylock and his family.

There is much detail worked into the story about: the life of the Jews in the Venetian ghetto: their way of life, religion and customs: and the way in which they were treated -- e.g. the distinctive clothing they had to wear when they went outside the ghetto.

The Pits, Lesley Howarth

In the section Prehistoric Times.

Life in Prehistoric Times described by a nine-thousand-year-old ghost in the language of a very modern teenager.

Greyfriars Bobby, Ruth Brown

In the section Nineteenth Century -- Scotland. Also in Scotland after 1800.

Here the well known story of the little terrier is told in a large format picture book. The beautiful illustrations really evoke the spirit of nineteenth century Edinburgh.

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