Heather, Oak, and Olive

Heather, Oak, and Olive

Rosemary Sutcliff

Fiction / Children's Books / Memoir

"For a child poised between Harry Potter and Tolkien, there really is nothing better than Sutcliff."—The New Yorker "Rosemary Sutcliff is a spellbinder."—New York Times Book Review "The preeminent master of British historical fiction for young people."—Kirkus Reviews Cherished author Rosemary Sutcliff presents three stories of youthful courage and fidelity in ancient times. The Chief's Daughter: A Welsh chieftain's daughter helps a young Irish boy—captured from a raiding party and held prisoner by her father—make his escape, risking the wrath of her gods and her Clan. A Circlet of Oak Leaves: A horse-trader is reminded of his past with the Roman Legions, of the life-changing, secret favor he once did a friend and the glory he will never be able to openly claim. A Crown of Wild Olives: A tentative, but caring, friendship is formed between two young runners, a Spartan and an Athenian, who will compete against...
Read online
  • 236
The Rider of the White Horse

The Rider of the White Horse

Rosemary Sutcliff

Fiction / Children's Books / Memoir

Set in England's civil war,this period of England's history is seen through the eyes of Sir Thomas Fairfax and his wife Anne. For three years she trailed in the wake of her husband as his exploits on the battlefield become legendary, and she coped with the less than comfortable and exhausting lifestyle so that she could be with her husband when he needed her. The vivid writing of the author conveys the essence of this blood thirsty period in England's history.
Read online
  • 187
The Capricorn Bracelet

The Capricorn Bracelet

Rosemary Sutcliff

Fiction / Children's Books / Memoir

Rosemary's Sutcliff's absorbing collection of stories cover the fall of Londinium to the building of Hadrian's Wall, and the final departure of the Romans from Britain. Set at the time of the Roman occupation of Britain, they follow the fortunes of one family over three hundred years. All soldiers, they are linked by the Capricorn bracelet, first worn by the centurion Lucius for distinguished conduct, then handed down through the generations.
Read online
  • 169
Song for a Dark Queen

Song for a Dark Queen

Rosemary Sutcliff

Fiction / Children's Books / Memoir

From the day Cadwan fashioned a sword from a willow wand and composed a victory song for his young mistress, Boudicca, he has loyally charted her rise to Queen. Boudicca is the strong and brave leader of the Iceni tribe - courageously guiding her people from one victorious battle to her next. Then Emperor Nero rules that the royal line of the Iceni is to be ended, and Boudicca knows this is one battle she cannot afford to lose . . .
Read online
  • 158
The Shining Company

The Shining Company

Rosemary Sutcliff

Fiction / Children's Books / Memoir

'I saw riders with black eyesockets in glimmering mail where their faces should have been, grey wolfskins catching a bloom of light from the mist and the moon; a shining company indeed, not quite mortal-seeming.' Many years after King Arthur defeated the Saxons, the tribes of Britain are again threatened by invaders. Prosper and his loyal bondsman, Conn, answer the call of King Mynydogg to join a highly skilled army - the Shining Company. Led by the gallant Prince Gorthyrn, the company embark on a perilous but glorious campaign. An epic tale of battles and bravery from the acclaimed historical storyteller, Rosemary Sutcliff.
Read online
  • 155
The Mark of the Horse Lord

The Mark of the Horse Lord

Rosemary Sutcliff

Fiction / Children's Books / Memoir

Warrior Scarlet is set in the far-off days of Britain's Bronze Age. Drem, a young boy with a crippled arm, longs to become a warrior and wear the scarlet of a hunter. But he must first pass the dangerous initiation test. The Mark of the Horse Lord: Phaedrus is a Roman gladiator who has won his freedom. By chance, he is also the exact double of Midir, the Horse Lord, lost King of the Dalriad tribe. To rid the Dalriads of the usurping Queen Liadhan, Phaedrus agrees to a daring pretence -- he will impersonate Midir and become the Horse Lord. Knight's Fee is an exciting story of Norman England, which tells how Ranald the servant boy strives to achieve his ambition and become a knight.
Read online
  • 71
The Lantern Bearers (book III)

The Lantern Bearers (book III)

Rosemary Sutcliff

Fiction / Children's Books / Memoir

A tireless quest for revenge in this Carnegie Medal-winning book - the third part in Rosemary Sutcliff's outstanding The Eagle of the Ninth trilogyReview“A spellbinding historical adventure . . . Smoothly written, fast-paced, remarkable in the atmosphere it evokes.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s BooksWinner of the Carnegie MedalAn ALA Notable BookReviewThis is historical fiction at its best. Post Roman Britain comes alive in this novel. The characters are all believable and no matter how small a part they play they are complete-as is the plot-no strands are left loose. The Historicals Novels Review
Read online
  • 65


Beowulf

Beowulf

Rosemary Sutcliff

Fiction / Children's Books / Memoir

Grendel prowled in, hating all men and all joy and hungry for human life. So swift was his attack that no man heard an outcry; but when the dawn came, thirty of Hothgar's best and noblest thanes were missing. Only Beowulf, foremost among warriors, has the strength and courage to battle with Grendel the Night-stalker. In this thrilling re-telling of the Anglo-Saxon legend, Rosemary Sutcliff recounts Beowulf's most terrifying quests: against Grendel the man-wolf, against the hideous sea-hag and, most courageous of all - his fight to the death with the monstrous fire-drake.
Read online
  • 58
The Silver Branch [book II]

The Silver Branch [book II]

Rosemary Sutcliff

Fiction / Children's Books / Memoir

Violence and unrest are sweeping through Roman Britain. Justin and Flavius find themselves caught up in the middle of it all when they discover a plot to overthrow the Emperor. In fear for their lives, they gather together a tattered band of men and lead them into the thick of battle, to defend the honor of Rome. But will they be in time to save the Emperor . . .Review“Rosemary Sutcliff’s superb historical imagination never fails.”—The New York Herald Tribune“Enthusiastically recommended.”—The Horn Book“She writes as though Roman Britain were as real and as close to her as the England of today.”—The Chicago TribuneAbout the AuthorRosemary Sutcliff (1920-1992) wrote dozens of books for young readers, including her award-winning Roman Britain trilogy, The Eagle of the Ninth, The Silver Branch, and The Lantern Bearers, which won the Carnegie Medal. The Eagle of the Ninth is now a major motion picture, The Eagle, directed by Kevin MacDonald and starring Channing Tatum. Born in Surrey, Sutcliff spent her childhood in Malta and on various other naval bases where her father was stationed. At a young age, she contracted Still’s Disease, which confined her to a wheelchair for most of her life. Shortly before her death, she was named Commander of the British Empire (CBE) one of Britain's most prestigious honors. She died in West Sussex, England, in 1992.
Read online
  • 46
The Eagle of the Ninth [book I]

The Eagle of the Ninth [book I]

Rosemary Sutcliff

Fiction / Children's Books / Memoir

The Ninth Legion marched into the mists of Northern Britain—and they were never seen again. Four thousand men disappeared and their eagle standard was lost. It’s a mystery that’s never been solved, until now . . .Marcus has to find out what happened to his father, who led the legion. So he sets out into the unknown, on a quest so dangerous that nobody expects him to return.Review“Sutcliff has a genius for the re-creation of an historical period.”—Horn Book Reflections“An unusual blend of stirring action and poetic symbolism. Authentic in background, skillful in plot, and perceptive in characterization.”—Booklist“Imaginatively conceived.”—The New Yorker“Decades later, I can still hear echoes of The Eagle of the Ninth in my head: the chink of mail, the tired beat of the legionaries’ feet.”—The Independent“What a splendid story it is, compulsive reading!”—Junior BookshelfAn ALA Notable BookAbout the AuthorRosemary Sutcliff (1920-1992) wrote dozens of books for young readers, including her award-winning Roman Britain trilogy, The Eagle of the Ninth, The Silver Branch, and The Lantern Bearers, which won the Carnegie Medal. The Eagle of the Ninth is now a major motion picture, The Eagle, directed by Kevin MacDonald and starring Channing Tatum. Born in Surrey, Sutcliff spent her childhood in Malta and on various other naval bases where her father was stationed. At a young age, she contracted Still’s Disease, which confined her to a wheelchair for most of her life. Shortly before her death, she was named Commander of the British Empire (CBE) one of Britain's most prestigious honors. She died in West Sussex, England, in 1992.
Read online
  • 18
Brother Dusty-Feet

Brother Dusty-Feet

Rosemary Sutcliff

Fiction / Children's Books / Memoir

Along with his faithful dog Argos, eleven-year-old Hugh Copplestone decides to leave his Aunt and Uncle's house after one beating too many, and heads for Oxford to seek his fortune. When he meets a group of strolling players along the way, Hugh joins them, becoming part of their acting troupe. A new life meeting jugglers, puppet players, quack doctors and ballard singers starts for Hugh as the Players travel the country, and, as one of the Dusty-Feet, Hugh also experiences the freedom and fellowship of life on the road.
Read online
  • 7