Spotlight: Guest Post: Historical Book Recommendations by Barbara Mitchelhill

Title: Road to London

Author: Barbara Mitchelhill

Publisher: Andersen

Publication Date: 5 April 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

Thomas dreams of becoming an actor, and when Shakespeare comes home to Stratford, Thomas's life changes forever.

Thomas is desperate to join 'the players', he'll do anything to watch them perform, even skip school and risk a caning. But when Thomas's rule breaking gets him in trouble with more than just his school master, he has to flee his home and make his way to London. Here he meets his hero, Shakespeare, and his players. But behind the excitement of the theatres is a grimy world of deception, poison and treason. Will Thomas manage to uncover the plot in time? And will he manage to save Shakespeare from a fate worse than death?

Barbara has kindly put together a list of 5 historical novels that provide action and adventure as well as a great introduction to historical novels. Have you read any?

These are five historical fiction books for children published within the past five years.  I found all of them very exciting page-turners.

Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper

Set in London 1861 about young Grace whom we first meet carrying the body of her baby to Brookwood Cemetery. We watch her struggling to earn enough money to pay the rent and to avoid the unscrupulous family whose shady business deals with death and mourning. A wonderful story with lots of detail of Victorian London.

Powder Monkey by Paul Dowswell

Lots of action in this story of Sam Witchall working in difficult and dangerous conditions on board one of Nelson’s ships. Exciting and packed with action for those readers who can’t get enough of gory battles. Wonderful descriptions and historical details in the telling of the adventures of this young sailor.

Witch Child by Celia Rees

When Mary’s grandmother is hanged for being a witch, she is taken by a mysterious lady to begin a new life in New England where she lives in a strictly religious and isolated community. But Mary has a deep connection with the natural world and forms a secret friendship with Native Americans. With the arrival of the Witch Finder in the community, she must take care to avoid being branded as a witch. This exciting story gives the reader wonderful insight into the lives of the early settlers.

The Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding

The best of the Cat Royal books. London 1790. Feisty Cat is an orphan living in the Drury Lane theatre where strange and amazing things happen in the theatrical world, including involvement with London’s underclasses. Exciting and funny. Full of historical detail of the theatre and 18th century London.

The Falconer’s Knot by Mary Hoffman

Italy, 1316. Silvano is accused unjustly of murder and runs away from home while Chiara is abandoned by her family and takes refuge in a neighbouring convent. When the two teenagers meet, they become friends but soon several murders strike fear into the close-knit community. In an attempt to avoid becomes victims, they try to solve the crimes themselves. This is a thrilling medieval murder mystery.

Are there any other historical novels you would recommend for my pupils as an introduction to this genre?

Guest Review: Road to London by Barbara Mitchelhill

Title: Road to London

Author: Barbara Mitchelhill

Publisher: Andersen

Publication Date: 5 April 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

Thomas dreams of becoming an actor, and when Shakespeare comes home to Stratford, Thomas's life changes forever.

Thomas is desperate to join 'the players', he'll do anything to watch them perform, even skip school and risk a caning. But when Thomas's rule breaking gets him in trouble with more than just his school master, he has to flee his home and make his way to London. Here he meets his hero, Shakespeare, and his players. But behind the excitement of the theatres is a grimy world of deception, poison and treason. Will Thomas manage to uncover the plot in time? And will he manage to save Shakespeare from a fate worse than death?

GUEST REVIEW BY SHELLY

“Plots, Treason and Drama! When Thomas flees to London in search of a life in the theatre, he meets his hero, William Shakespeare, and thinks his dream has come true.

But Elizabethan London is a grimy place; full of scoundrels, treachery and murder. Thomas and his friend, Alice, find themselves caught up in a treasonous plot to kill the Queen.”

I have to say that this kind of book is right up my street. I do love a good historical novel and this is an easy read. I know I am not the targeted audience for this book, I am after all no longer a teenager, but I have to say that I enjoyed travelling with Thomas into the grimy streets of Tudor London.

Thomas has always dreamed of being an actor and so when he meets his hero William Shakespeare in Stratford he feels that his dreams may come true. His Father though has different ideas and Thomas must attend school and become a lawyer. Circumstances change for Thomas and he must flee Stratford and there begins the tale of treason and murder. I feel that this is where the story really takes off and the way that the author has captured the dirty smelly streets of London is quite something. Although basic in language she manages to give you the sights and smells of that era.

Along the way Thomas meets Alice. She is a very feisty character and sometimes I did have to suspend belief in her as I did wonder if there were female characters like her at that time. But go with it as she becomes a truly likeable and enjoyable part of the book. She is the one who finds out about the plot to kill the Queen and with Thomas’ help, they manage to foil it.

There were some lovely references in the book to past historical events. Look out for the baker on Pudding Lane, a very witty nod to the Great Fire of London.

I enjoyed reading this and as I said at the start it is a very easy read with uncomplicated language but this does not detract from the great story that Barbara Mitchelhill weaves for her reader. I think this is a perfect book for those who want to delve into historical novels but don’t know where to start.

Tantalizing Trailers: Road To London by Barbara Mitchelhill

Title: Road to London

Author: Barbara Mitchelhill

Publisher: Andersen

Publication Date: 5 April 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

Thomas dreams of becoming an actor, and when Shakespeare comes home to Stratford, Thomas's life changes forever.

Thomas is desperate to join 'the players', he'll do anything to watch them perform, even skip school and risk a caning. But when Thomas's rule breaking gets him in trouble with more than just his school master, he has to flee his home and make his way to London. Here he meets his hero, Shakespeare, and his players. But behind the excitement of the theatres is a grimy world of deception, poison and treason. Will Thomas manage to uncover the plot in time? And will he manage to save Shakespeare from a fate worse than death?