The 18th Century: England

Black Jack by Leon Garfield. Bartholomew Dorking finds himself tied to a murdering villain Black Jack.

Bonnie Dundee by Rosemary Sutcliff (1983), the story of John Graham, 1st Viscount of Dundee, and the Jacobite rising of 1715

Burning Issy by Melvin Burgess, 1992. 17thC Lancashire in the grip of a witch hunt. Tough and compelling novel for teenagers.

Danger in the wings by Geoffrey Trease. An actor travels from Boston, Mass. to England where he falls in love. But relations between the US and England are worsening and war is on the horizon.

Devil-in-the fog by Leon Garfield. A dramatic and eerie story of lost identity and family secrets.

Flame-coloured Taffeta by Rosemary Sutcliff (1986), illus. Rachel Birkett 18^th c

Jack Holborn by Leon Garfield. Orphan Jack stows away on a ship and has many adventures including a quest in the African jungle.

Mary Ann and Miss Mozart by Ann Turnball (Historical house).Mary Ann longs to be an opera singer but when her father loses his fortune she cannot see how she could achieve her dreams.

Pirates! By Celia Rees. Two young women met in the West Indies and work together to escape their oppressive lives.

Smith by Leon Garfield. Smith is a pickpocket who witnesses a murder. As a sensitive child I remember this as very dark and a little scary.

Sovay by Celia Rees. Affect of French revolution on England

Strange affair of Adelaide Harris by Leon Garfield. Unusually funny book by Leon Garfield about two boys in a boarding school near Brighton who accidentally steal a baby.

The Apprentices by Leon Garfield. Seven apprentices tell their story through a long year.

The First of Midnight by Marjorie Darke. Midnight is a slave working as a boxer and trying to find a way to win his freedom.

The Not-so-Jolly Roger by Joe Scieszka 1991 (Time Warp Trio). Three boys have access to a magic book that can take them through time.

The red necklace by Sally Gardner. A complex story about the French revolution with a hint of magic.

Transported: The Diary of Elizabeth Harvey, Sydney Cove, 1790 by Goldie Alexander (2002) [re-released as: No Way Back by Valerie Wilding] (My story)

Dragon stories

Who wouldn't want a dragon friend?

These stories are all written for children and teenagers but I have listed them by reading ability starting with the easiest.

Lily Quench and the dragon of Ashby by Natalie Jane Porter. This series, written for younger readers, is about Lily Quench the last descendent of a family of dragon slayers. When Lily, a young girl, is sent off to kill the Dragon of Ashby instead of slaying her she finds a friend who helps her defeat the Black Count. Lots of fun with a wise and sympathetic dragon at its heart.

How to train your dragon by Cressida Cowell. Hiccup is the son of the Chief but he is a weedy small boy who would rather use brains than brawn. When all the boys have to take a dragon to train Hiccup ends up with the smallest and weediest dragon who will do nothing he is told to do. How will Hiccup solve this problem and come out on top? This series is quite different to the film, extremely funny and with a huge range of dragons. They are best read in order especially as the story gets quite complex in the later books.

Dragon Princess by E D Baker.  Millie the princess turns into a dragon when she gets cross. How will she ever find her true love? Lots of fun with fairytale references and unusual twists this is a delightful read.

Dragon rider by Cornelia Funke.  Firedrake, a brave young dragon, his loyal brownie friend Sorrel and a lonely boy called Ben are united as if by destiny. Together, they embark on a magical journey to find the legendary place where silver dragons can live in peace for ever.  Quite a big book but a wonderful story.

Dragon slippers by Jessica Day George. Creel is offered as a sacrifice to a dragon byt instead becomes his friend. She is given the slippers as a reward but they hide a nasty secret. dragons have been mistreated in this book but together with Creel's help they defeat the evil that has been attacking them. They are also delightfully unusual creatures in this series and some of the more memorable I have read about. (This book is also pulished as Dragonskin slippers.)

Dealing with dragons by Patricia Wrede.  Rather than marry a boring prince, Princess Cimerone runs away from her kingdom and becomes an assistant to the dragon Kazul.  This is the first in a trilogy about Cimerone. There is a fourth book which is about her children.

Eragon by Christopher Paolini. When Eragon finds a polished stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Overnight his simple life is shattered and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds. Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands...

Adult books.

Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey. The men who rode the dragons were a breed apart. Chosen when the dragons were first hatched, they became soulmates for life with the huge, magnificent beasts they controlled - the green, blue, brown and bronzes - beautiful - terrible - the only creatures who could defend the planet Pern from the blood-red star. But without the Queen, the dragons would become extinct. Only the gigantic, golden Queen could breed the new flights. And the Queen was fading . . . dying . . . leaving behind one last, huge, golden egg. Dragonflight is the first book in Anne McCaffrey's Chronicles of Pern .

Temararire by Naomi Novak.  After a skirmish with a French ship, Captain Will Laurence finds himself in charge of a rare cargo: a dragon egg bound for the Emperor himself. Dragons are much prized: properly trained, they can mount a fearsome attack from the skies. One of Laurence's men must take the beast in hand and join the aviators' cause, thus relinquishing all hope of a normal life. But when the newly-hatched dragon ignores the young midshipman Laurence chose as its keeper and decides to imprint itself on the horrified captain instead, Laurence's world falls apart. Gone is his golden future: gone his social standing, and soon his beautiful fiancée, as he is consigned to be the constant companion and trainer of the fighting dragon Temeraire… Wonderful series set during the Napoleonic wars.

Books I haven't read yet

Dragon born by Toby Forward. When Flaxfield the great wizard dies, his apprentice Sam is left without a master. As the wizards gather for his Finishing, Sam does not know whom to trust and whom he should fear. He sets off alone with only his dragon Starback for company, little realizing the perils that lie in wait. This powerful opening book of the Flaxfield Quartet is an adventure story told with great lyricism and power.

No such thing as dragons by Philip Reeve. A dragon story with a brilliant twist. Ansel's new master slays dragons for a living. He says he's hunted the monstrous worms all over Christendom and has the scars to prove it. But is Brock just a clever trickster in shining armour? Ansel is sure there are no such things as dragons. So what is the man-eating creature that makes its lair in the crags of Dragon Mountain? Ansel and Brock must climb the ice face to discover the terrifying truth. 

World War Two - picture books

I have only listed picture books here. Chapter books will follow later.

My uncle’s Dunkirk by Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom, 2011. An accessible account of Dunkirk.

Rose Blanche by Ian McEwan, 2004. Rose is a young German who is aware of what is happening and finally gets her chance to help. A very moving book about the concentration camps.

Star of fear, star of hope by Jo Hoestlandt, 2000. An elderly lady retells a story from her childhood about her friend, who first had to wear a star and then disappeared. Very moving.

Taff in the Waff by Mick Manning and Brita Grnstrom, 2013. Manning’s mother joined the Waaf and this is her story.

Tail-end Charlie by Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom, 2009. The stories told by Manning’s father from when he was in the RAF.

The lion and the unicorn by Shirley Hughes, 2000. A young boy who is evacuated has has to learn how to be brave.

The Little ships: a story of the heroic rescue at Dunkirk by Louise Borden and Michael Foreman, 1997. Concentrating on one fishing boat this is the story of Dunkirk.

War boy: a wartime childhood by Michael Foreman. A Suffolk childhood set during the war.

World War One - picture books

I have only listed picture books here. Chapter books will follow later.

Archie’s war by Marcia Williams, 1914. A child is given a scrapbook in April 1914 and instead of comics and jokes fills it up with the war from his perspective. An unusal story told from the point of view of a child in 1914.

Charlie’s war illustrated by Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom, 2013. The story of Manning’s grandfather who served throughout the war.

Fly, Cher Ami, fly by Robert Burleigh, 2008. How one pigeon saved a battalion. Based on a true story.

One boy’s war by Lynn Huggins-Cooper and Ian B Haywood, 2008. The story of one young man’s war old through Sydney’s letters home and his private journal.

Stubby, the dog soldier:world war one hero by Blake Hoena and Oliver Husrt, 2014. A true story of one dog’s participation in the war.

The amazing tale of Ali Pasha by Michael Foreman, 2013. Henry is a 21 year sailor ferrying the wounded off Gallipoli when he makes an unusual friend – a tortoise.

The best Christmas present in the world by Michael Morpugo and Michael Foreman. A letter found in an old desk tells the story of one young man’s war.

The Christmas truce: the place where peace was found by Hilary Robinson and Martin Impey 2014. Ben and Ray (from Where the poppies now grow) get involved with the Christmas truce of 1914.

The little hen and the great war by Jennifer Beck, 2014. A soldier adopts a hen.

War game: village green to no man’s land by Michael Foreman 2006. A group of boys from a Suffolk village all join up together. Includes the Christmas day truce of 1914.

Where the poppies now grow by Hilary Robinson and Martin Impey, 2014. The story of two friends, this has glowing reviews on Amazon.

Pre-conquest America

Mayan

Me Oh Maya by Joe Scieszka 2003. (Time warp trio) . The three boys travel to Chichen Itza in 1000AD

Why there is no arguing in Heaven: a Mayan myth by Deborah Nourse Lattimore

Aztecs

Age of the Aztecs by Arantxa Barcenas (The Time Chronicles), 2014. Jurna and Austin find themselves in the last years of the Aztec empire on a search for an Aztec codex.
Aztec attack by Chris Blake, 2014 (Time Hunters series). An easy reader. Tom has to face the rain god Tlaloc and get back a missing treasure.The Flame of peace: a tale of the Aztecs by Deborah Nourse Lattimore
Aztec courage: a story about the Spanish conquest of Mexico by Al M Rocco, 2011. Told through the eyes of 14 year old Diego who sails with Cortez to Mexico.

The Comet of doom: a thrilling tale from the time of Moctezuma by Karen Wallace, 2009.  An easy reader set in the time just before the arrival of the Spanish.

The Sad Night: the story of an Aztec victory and a Spanish loss by Sally Schofer Matthews, 2001. Illustrated in the style of an Aztec codex, this tells the story of the Spanish conquest of Central America and one of the rare Aztec victories.

The time travelling cat and the Aztec sacrifice by Julia Jarman, Can Topher save Ka the cat from El Sol, rescue a girl from being sacrificed and escape from the floating city before it is destroyed.

Incas

Hualachi and the magic sandals by Juliet Heslewood, 1995. The story of the fastest runner of the Incas who lets his King down to perform an act of kindness.

Other locations

Lady of Palenque, flower of Bacal (Royal diaries) Mesoamerica 749

The Glass Knife by John Tully, 1974. Tio has been brought up to become the human sacrifice and what haens when he begins to susect the horrifying truth about the ceremony? Unspecified civilisation but possibly based on the Chimu.

The Stuart era 1603-1714

Shakespeare

The Fool’s Girl by Celia Rees. Violetta and Feste have come to London to rescue the holy relics taken from the church in Illyria by the evil Malvolio. Their journey has been long and their adventures many, but it is not until they meet the playwright William Shakespeare that they get to tell the entire story from beginning to end.

The Player's Boy by Antonia Forest.Young boy leaves home and ends up in Shakespeare's company

Shakespeare's apprentice by Veronica Bennett. Love story between an actor and the niece of the Earl of Essex

The Boy, the Bear, the Baron, the Bard by Gregory Rogers. Picture book without words. A boy on a trip to the globe goes back in time and meets everyone else in the title.

James I

Curse on the sea by Geoffrey Trease. Based on a true story this is the tale of Rob, a boy actor who visits Scotland during the reign of James I and meets a witch.

Colonising America

Ghost Hawk by Susan Cooper. Bodley Head, 2014. Set at the time the English first arrived in America, told equally from the point of view of the Indians as well as the English. Teenage read                 Mayflower: The Diary of Remember Patience Whipple, 1620 by Kathryn Lasky (1996) (My story)

Civil war 1642 - 1649

Alice in love and war by Ann Turnball. Alice falls in love with a soldier and follows the army.

Civil War: Thomas Adamson, England, 1644 by Vince Cross (2002) (My story)

For the King by Ronald Welch. It is 1642 and Neil Carey becomes involved in the Civil War.

Hunt Royal by David Scott Daniell, Puffin, 1962. Looking at the cover I suspect this is the story of Charles II’s escape to France after the battle of Worcester.

Kate Rider by Hester Burton. An English girl tries to cope with the complexities of the Civil War. Ends with the siege of Colchester

Children of the new forest by Frederick Marryat. The orphaned children of a Cavalier have to hide to avoid Cromwell’s men.

Place Mill by Barbara Softly. I can find no details for this book but for some reason I had it listed in my civil war books.

Rider of the white horse by Rosemary Sutcliff . Story of Thomas Fairfax, a parliamentarian.

Simon by Rosemary Sutcliff (1953) Set in the West Country Simon is for parliament, Amias is for the crown. How the war split up friends.

Thomas by Hester Burton. Begins in the civil war and ends with the great plague of 1665.

The Protectorate

The Gypsy Crown by Kate Forsyth. Set during the Protectorate, a family of gypsies are put in jail but two cousins manage to escape and have to rescue their family.

I, Coriander by Sally Gardner (Partly a fantasy but also set at the end of the Protectorship

News from the dead by Mary Hooper. Based on the true story of Anne Green who was hanged for infanticide in 1650. Teenage novel. 

Restoration

Witch Child by Celia Rees. After her grandmother is hanged for witchcraft Mary is taking to the new colonies in America. A teenage read.

The remarkable life and times of Eliza Rose by Mary Hooper. Eliza meets Nell Gwyn and gets involved in court politics

No shame, no fear by Ann Turnball (Quaker trilogy 1). It is 1662 and Will is attracted to the Quakers. There he meets Susanna. Beautifully written with credible characters.

Through the fire by Hester Burton. Story of Quakers and their appalling treatment under the restoration. (Antelope series for readers 6-9)

The Plague and the great Fire of London

A Parcel of patterns by Jill Paton Walsh.  The village of Eyam closes itself off when the plague comes.

The Great Plague: The Diary of Alice Paynton, London, 1665-1666 by Pamela Oldfield (2001) (My story)

Children of Winter by Berlie Doherty. Catherine and her siblings are out for a walk when they take shelter from a sudden storm in a barn but then find themselves in 1665 and the plague is raging. For younger children.

At the sign of the sugared plum by Mary Hooper. Set at the time of the plague

Forged in the fire by Ann Turnball (Quaker trilogy 2). This story covers the plague of 1665 and the Great Fire of London

London’s burning (Sparks). Great fire of London. Story for beginner readers.

Petals in the ashes by Mary Hooper. Sequel to At the sign of the sugared plum.

Late 17th C

Highway Girl An English Girl’s Diary, 1670 by Valerie Wilding (2008) (My story)

Trumpets in the West by Geoffrey Trease. Jack is apprenticed to a musician and is inspired to compose himself after hearing the trumpets on the battlefield of Monmouth. Probably set in the reign of William and Mary.

Seeking Eden by Ann Turnball (Quaker trilogy 3). Will and Susanna are now in Pennsylvania and deals with slavery and the issues of their growing family.

Scotland

Bonnie Dundee by Rosemary Sutcliff . Set in Scotland during the time of the Covenanters (those wanting freedom from English rule).

Dream of danger (Sparks). Massacre at Glencoe in 1692.Story for beginner readers

Stranger in the Glen (Sparks). The story of Rob Roy, a Jacobite supporter. Story for beginner readers

Russian history

I have listed these books in historical order. The ones without much detail where were I could only track down the title.

The Cossacks by B Bartos-Hoppner.1959 (translated from German) Mitya, a 14 year old boy accompanies Yermak Timofeyev on his campaign to claim the land of Siberia for Ivan the Terrible.

Abraham Hannibal and the battle for the throne by Frances Somers Cocks.Sequel to Abraham Hannibal and the raiders of the sand. Abraham arrives at the court of Peter the Great as a slave.

Catherine, the Great Journey (Royal diary) Russia 1743

Masha by Mara Kay. Masha is a dancer in the time of Catherine the Great and becomes a pupil at her school for girls.

The Youngest Lady in waiting by Mara Kay. Sequel to Masha. Masha is now working in Catherine’s court.

Crimea: The Story of Michael Pope, 110th Regiment, 1853-1857 by Bryan Perrett (2004) (My story)

Little Katia by E M Almedingen. Set before the revolution.

Toyon a dog of the North and his native people by Nicholas Kalashnikoff Set in Siberia during Czarist times, deals with the faith and practices of the native people.

Jumper: the life of a Siberian horse by Nicholas Kalashnikoff. A Russian War Horse, this is the story of a horse taken away to fight in the first world war and the Russian revolution.

The defender by Nicholas Kalashnikoff. Set in Siberia and about a man and the herd of wild rams in his care. Great reviews on amazon.

My friend Yakub by Nicholas Kalashnikoff

They that take the sword by Nicholas Kalashnikoff

White nights of St Petersburg by Geoffrey Trease Set during the time of the Russian revolution.

Frossia a novel of Russia by E M Almedingen. Set in post 1917 Ukraine and loosely based on the life of the author.

The Endless Steppe by Esther Hautzig. A family’s story of their survival of exile to Siberia.

A Desert in Bohemia by Jill Paton Walsh Set in a fictional communist country covering the period 1945-1990

Asian history

Asia

Tales told in tents. Barefoot books. Collection of short stories
The Wise fool by Shahruhk Husain. Barefoot books. Short stories about Mulla Nasruddin

China

Adventures of the treasure fleet by Ann Martin Bowler. Story of the 7 naval voyages undertaken by the Chinese fleet between 1405-33.
China’s bravest girl: the legend of Hua Mu Lan by Charlie Chin
Diary of a Princess: a tale from Marco Polo’s travels by Heather Maisner, 2004
Lady of Ch’iao Kuo: Warrior of the South (Royal Diary)
Red butterfly: how a princess smuggled the secret of silk out of China by Deborah Noyes
Terracotta girl: a story of ancient China by Jessica Gunderson.
The Pearl in the grass by John Harris
The willow pattern story by Allan Drummond
Tikki Tikki Tembo retold by Arlene Mosel
Yeh-Shen: a Cinderella story from China by Louie Ai-Ling

India

An Indian adventure (Sparks) Early readers history series
Indian Mutiny: Hanuman Singh, India, 1857-1858 by Pratima Mitchell (2002) (My story)
Jahanara, Princess of Princesses (Royal diary) India 1627
The Elephant’s friend and other tales from Ancient India by Marcia Williams

Japan

Kazunomiya: Prisoner of heaven (Royal diary) Japan 1858
Sam Samurai by Joe Scieszka (Time Warp Trio). Three boys have access to a magic book that can take them through time.
Young Samurai: Way of the warrior by Chris Bradford. Young Samurai series starts in 1611 when Jack Fletcher is shipwrecked off the coast of Japan and becomes apprenticed to a Samurai

Korea

Sondok: Princess of the Moon and Stars (Royal Diaries series) set in Korea in AD595. Follows a yearin the life of 15 year old Sondok who is the heir to the throne as her father has had no sons. Although totally fictitious the author has used the few known details of Sondok’s life to weave a credible tale.

Mongolia

Sorghaghtani of Mongolia. Non-fiction book recounting the life of Genghis Khan’s daughter-in-law who became a ruler during her sons’ childhood and bred three future rulers of the Mongol Empire

Silk Road

Diary of a Princess: a tale from Marco Polo’s travels by Heather Maisner, 2004
Marco Polo! by Joe Scieszka (Time Warp Trio) 2005.  Three boys have access to a magic book that can take them through time.
Stories from the Silk Road (Barefoot Books) Collection of short stories.

Normans

I have covered the period from 1066 to 1450s.

Agincourt: Jenkin Lloyd, France, 1415 by Michael Cox (2003) (My story)
All fall down by Sally Nicholls. Marion Lloyd publr. In 1349 the Black Death is sweeping across Europe. For older readers.
Belle’s song by K M Grant. Chaucer on a pilgrimage
Blaze of Silver by K M Grant. Final part of the Blood-red Horse trilogy.
Blood red horse by K M Grant. Set in the time of Richard I and Saladin following brothers during the Crusade,
Brother William’s Year by Jan Pancheri. Picture book showing a monk’s life in 1383
14th of October by Bryher. About the Battle of Hastings
Bows against the baron by Geoffrey Trease. Novel about Robin Hood
Green Jasper by K M Grant. Sequel to Blood-red horse. It is Spring 1193 and the brothers have now returned home to find their sister has been kidnapped by Prince John’s supporters.
Wulf the Saxon: a story of the Norman conquest by G A Henty
Joan of Arc by Josephine Poole. Picture book for older children showing Joan of Arc’s life. Beautifully illustrated.
Knight’s fee by Rosemary Sutcliff (1960) The hero is a half-Saxon boy brought up by a Norman Knight.
Man with a sword by Henry Treece. Novel about a Jewish doctor
Red Tower of Granada by Geoffrey Trease. Set in Mediaeval England and Spain during the time of Eleanor of Aquitaine.
Shield Ring by Rosemary Sutcliff. Set in the Lake District just after the Norman Conquest.
The Witch’s brat by Rosemary Sutcliff (1970)Set in the 12th c
The Children’s crusade by Henry Treece
With a sword in my hand by Jean-Claude van Rijckeghem & Pat van Beirs. Story of Marguerite of Flanders

Scandinavia

As well as trakhing down historical fiction I am also compiling lists of fiction set in other countries not just by authors of those countries but also by other authors who can make the culture of that country come alive. For no good reason I am starting off with Scandinavia. I have so far failed to find anything Norwegian of Finnish (excepting Tove Jannson) so this page is limited to Denmark and Sweden for the time being.

Denmark

Both of these books are set during in WW2. Look at my Viking post for the only other historical period that counts apparently.
Hitler’s canary by Sandi Tostvig
Number the stars by Lois Lowry.

Sweden

Luckily for Sweden there is one famous children's author. Now can we guess who it is?
Emil and the sneaky rat by Astrid Lindgren. Part of a series about a small boy.
Karlson flies again by Astrid Lindgren
Little O by Edith Unnerstad. Little O is the youngest of a large family.
Lotta says no by Astrid Lindgren
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
The Shipwreck by Jorn Reil. A Viking boy is shipwrecked and rescued by 2 Inuit children
The Spettecake holiday by Edith Unnerstad

Islamic civilisations

Abraham Hannibal and the battle for the throne by Frances Somers Cocks. Set in the early 1700s, an Ethiopian Prince is kidnapped and sold as a slave to the Ottoman court.
Crusade by Elizabeth Laird. Story of two boys during the children’s crusade, one English and the other Muslim.
Seven wise Princesses. Barefoot books. Based on a medieaval Persian poem.
Stories of the Caliphs: the early rulers of Islam by Denys Johnson Davies, 2011. After the death of the Prophet Muhammad, there followed many leaders of the Muslim world who were known as Caliphs. These successors to the Prophet ruled first of all from Medina, then from Damascus and later from Baghdad, over an empire that included a large part of the world. This book includes twenty-seven stories from the lives of those first Caliphs, from the pious Umar ibn al-Khattab to the celebrated Haroun al-Rashid.
The army of lions by Qasim Najar, 1996. A mighty warrior and an evil warlord face off in the fabled lands of North Africa and Southern Spain during the medieval Muslim period.
The stone: a Persian legend of the Magi by Dianne Hofmeyr and Jude Daly, 2005 In the ancient Persian town of Saveh, astronomers discover a star that fills the sky with a fiery light. Intrigued, they search through their scrolls and come across the legend of a remarkable baby. They set off with precious gifts to honour the child, and in return he gives them a small stone.

Also worth looking for a retelling of 1001 and one Arabian nights.

Saxons and Vikings

Slim pickings for the Saxons so hopefully others can fill in more gaps. Luckily I was kindly sent a number of suggestions for the Vikings by the author Ann Turnball. Thanks for those.

Where I have put no details for a book is where I have not been able to dicsover anything other than the title and author.

Saxons

Beowulf by Penelope Hicks (Kingfisher epic series)
Beowulf: dragonslayer by Rosemary Sutcliff
Daughter of fire and ice by Marie-Louise Jensen
Feasting the wolf by Susan Price, 2007
The Children of Stowa by Jean Lloyd. Set in West Stowa a recreated Saxon village

The Mark of the Horse Lord by Rosemary Sutcliff, 1965. Set at the time of the Dalriada, a kingdom in Scotland from late C6th to early C7th
The Namesake: a story of King Alfred by C Walter Hodges

The Shining Company by Rosemary Sutcliff (1990).  Retells the Y Gododdin story (the earliest mention of Arthur's name)

Viking raiders (Sparks) A beginner reader series

Wulf the Saxon: a story of the Norman conquest by G A Henty

Vikings

Beowulf: dragonslayer by Rosemary Sutcliff
Blood Feud by Rosemary Sutcliff(1976) An English slave is freed after saving his owner's life but then the two men have to travel to Constantinople.
Daughter of fire and ice by Marie-Louise Jensen
Erik’s new home (Sparks)
Feasting the wolf by Susan Price, 2007
Horned helmet by Henry Treece An Icelandic boy is adopted by a Viking and grows up on a Viking boat.
Hounds of the King by Henry Treece Last of the Vikings by Henry Treece
On the wasteland by Ruth M Arthur A girl travels back in time to become part of a Viking settlement in East Anglia. Very atmospheric
Shield Ring by Rosemary Sutcliff Set in the Lake District just after the Norman conquest, this book tells of the struggle of a Viking band to keep the Lake District free
Sigrun’s secret by Marie-Louise Jensen
Sword song by Rosemary Sutcliff Bjarni, a Viking swordsman, journeys to Scotland and there fights the clan chielfs
Swords from the North by Henry Treece
The Queen’s brooch by Henry Treece
The sage of Erik the Viking by Terry Jones Erik sets in sail of the land where the sun goes a t night. A thrilling adventure.
The Shipwreck by Jorn Reil Barefoot books, 2011. Leiv is shipwqrecked on his way to Greenland and ends up rescued by Inuit siblings.
The Viking saga by Henry Treece: Viking’s dawn; Road to Miklagard; Viking’s sunset
Viking Blood: A Viking Warrior, 1006 AD by Andrew Donkin, 2008 (My story)
Viking girl by Pauline Chandler
Viking It and Liking It by Joe Scieszka 2002 (Time Warp Trio) Part of a comic series about three boys who travel in time.
Viking Raiders by Anne Civardi (Usborne Time Travellers series) Not a quite a novel but uses a cartoon style

Celts

Asterix and Obelix by Goscinny and Uderzo. OK so this is a bit silly but it is fun and it can point up some of the major differences.
Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff Although this story is told from the point of view of a Roman it is precisely located in England and Scotland and does show the original cultre when Marcus heads North.

Goumbi by Gemma Sales A picture book set somewhere in Europe and it doesn't include the Romans.
Hengest’s tale by Jill Paton Walsh I have not read this so I am not sure what it is about. Can anyone enlighten me?
High deeds of Finn MacCool by Rosemary Sutcliff Set in Ireland this is a retelling of an Irish classic.
Hound of Ulster by Malachy Doyle A beginner reader that tells the story of Cuchalainn, an Irish hero.
Legions of the eagle by Henry Treece
Song for a dark Queen by Rosemary Sutcliff A story about Boadicca
The Sailor who captured the sea: a story of the book of Kells by Deborah Nourse Lattimore

Romans

Sparks is a series of historical novels designed for Primary Age children.

A Circlet of Oak Leaves (1968) and Eagle's Egg by Rosemary Sutcliff 1981, In Eagles honour Set in the C2nd
A runaway donkey (Sparks)
Between the forest and the hills by Ann Lawrence. The Romans have left Britain but one group is left behind.
Boudicca strikes back (Sparks).
Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemay Sutcliff 1954. A Roman soldier is injured and has to make a new life for himself in Britain.
Eagle’s honour by Rosemary Sutcliff
Frontier Wolf by Rosemary Sutcliff 1980. Set in Roman Britain
Lantern Bearers by Rosemay Sutcliff 1959
Legions of the eagle by Henry Treece
Outcast by Rosemary Sutcliff 1955.
Pompeii: The Diary of Claudia, Pompeii, AD 78 by Sue Reid 2008 (My story)
Roman Invasion: A British Boy, AD 84 by Jim Eldridge 2008 (My story)
Roman mysteries series by Caroline Lawrence. Set from AD79 the adventures of 4 children in and around the port of Ostia. Realistic depiction of the children's lives includes slavery and the violence of their society but in an unfrightening way. The first book is The Thieves of Ostia.
Roman Tales by Terry Deary Simple but fun stories for beginner readers
See You Later, Gladiator by Joe Scieszka 2000 (The Time Warp Trio). Three boys have access to a magic book that can take them through time.
The Capricorn bracelet by Rosemary Sutcliff 1973
The Eagles have flown by Henry Treece
The Great necklace hunt (Sparks)
The Guard dog geese (Sparks)
The Lost legionary (Sparks)
The Roman Twins by Roy Gerrard. Rhyming picture book about twin slaves who run away with a horse
The Silver Branch by Rosemay Sutcliff 1957
The Wadjet Eye by Jill Rubalcala

As well as books there is at least one board game with a Roman theme.
Albion is set in Britain at the time of the invasion. You are part of the Roman Army and trying to set up more settlements than your oppenents. It takes about an hour to play and is designed for 2-4 players. A good strategic game.

Ancient Greece

Apollo and Daphne by Antonia Barber
The boy who cried horse by Terry Deary. Based on the story of the Trojan horse, this is a book for beginner readers.
Dido by Adele Geras
Megan in Ancient Greece by Susan Korman (Magic Attic Club) A 12 yuear old girl can travel trhough time thanks to a magic trunk in her attic.
Mission to Marathon by Geoffrey Trease
Penelope by Adele Geras. The story of Odysseus’s return told from Penelope’s point of view. Intended for an older reader.
Run with me, Nike by Cassandra Case. A child’s imagination takes them back to Ancient Greece
The Amazon Temple Quest by Katherine Roberts (The Seven Fabulous wonders series)
The Colossus crisis by Katherine Roberts (The Seven Fabulous wonders series)
The Crown of Violet by Geoffrey Trease
The lion's slave by Terry Deary. Story about Archimedes and the battle of Syracuse written for beginer readers.
The Luck of Troy by Roger Lancelyn Green The fall of Troy as seen by Nico, Helen’s son, who is with her inside Troy.
The Mausoleum Murder by Katherine Roberts (The Seven Fabulous wonders series)
The Olympic Conspiracy by Katherine Roberts (The Seven Fabulous wonders series)
The Prince and the golden ax: a Minoan tale by Deborah Nourse Lattimore. A picture book.
The tortoise and the dare by Terry Deary. A brother's bet means a girl has to run in the Olympics. A book for beginner readers.
The town mouse and the Spartan house by Terry Deary. Set during the war between Athens and Sparta. A book for beginner readers
Trojan horse: How the Greeks run the war by Emily Little. A story for emerging readers.
Troy by Adele Geras
Voyage to the Pharos by Sarah Gauch. Picture book
Windswept city by Henry Treece

Egypt

There is so much written for this period that it can be hard to know where to begin but here are the ones i have found so far.

Picture books
Adventures in Ancient Egypt by Linda Bailey et al (Good Times Travel Agency)
Croco’nile by Roy Gerrard, 1999
Muti’s necklace by Louise Hawes
Pepi and the secret names by Jill Paton Walsh and Fiona French. Picture book
The shipwrecked sailor: an Egyption tale with hieroglyphs by Tamara Bower
The Winged Cat: a tale of Ancient Egypt by Deborah Nourse Lattimore, 1992

Children’s books
Bright and Morning Star by Rosemary Harris 3rd book in the Moon in the Cloud trilogy.
Casting the gods adrift by Geraldine McCaughrean
Ma’at’s feather by Juliet Desailly
Mara, daughter of the Nile by Eloise McGraw, 1990
Ramose Prince of Egypt by Carole Wilkinson
Shadow on the sun by Rosemary Harris 2nd in the Moon in the Cloud trilogy.
Sphinx’s Princess by Esther M Friesner
Spitting cobra by Gill Harvery. 1st in a mystery series set in Ancient Egypt.
Tara: Initiate of Heliopolis by Theresa Welsh A young girl’s journey back in time to the Egypt of Cleopatra
Temple Cat by Andrew Clements, 2001
The Cat of Bubastes by G A Henty
The Cleopatra’s curse by Katherine Roberts (The Seven Fabulous wonders series)
The Glittering Eye by L J Adlington
The Great Pyramid Robbery by Katherine Roberts (The Seven Fabulous wonders series) The Wadjet Eye by Jill Rubalcala

Historical fiction around Mesopotamia

This period has been very diificult to find fiction for and I have read only one of them so I cannot say if they are any good but here is the list of those I have found.

The Babylon Game by Katherine Roberts ( The Seven Fabulous wonders series) Fantasy set in ancient Babylon.
Gilgamesh by Ludmilla Zeman. Picture book for older children retelling the Epic of Gilgamesh.
Goumbi by Gemma Sales. Picture book which may be set either in Celtic times or earlier.
Hittite warrior by Joanne Williamson. Set c1200 BC a warrior leaves home to seek refuge with a family friend.
Lugalbanda by Kathy Henderson and illustrated by Jane Ray. The story of Gilgamesh’s father adapted from an early poem.
The Twenty Two letters by Clive King. A story about the beginning of writing.

Stone Age

I have decided to do a set of posts on historical fiction. As I find more books I will add them to the list so please feel free to comment with any you remember. I read lots of historical fiction as a child and so I am starting off with the authors I remember and the recommendations in the back of old puffin novels.

Stone Age
11,000 years lost by Peni R. Griffin, 2005. Esther travels back in time to the Pleistocene.
Boy with the bronze axe by Katheleen Fidler Set in Orkney at Skara Brae. A boy is washed ashore with a bronze axe which the islanders have never seen before.
Stig of the Dump by Clive King Barney finds a stone age boy living in the local dump. Although it written and set in the 1950s the depiction of a stone age boy/ man is very plausible.
Stone Age Boy by Satoshi Kitamura Picture book where a present day fboy alls back in time. Wonderful illustrations
Ug by Raymond Briggs Rather surreal story of Ug an inventor.
Warrior Scarlet by Rosemary Sutcliff Set in the Bronze age, a dsabled boy has to prove himself to the tribe.

Few more discovered since this post and Katherine's response
Attar of the ice valley by Leonard Wibberley, 1972. A neanderthal's tale.
Mik's Mammoth by Roy Gerrard, 1992
One small blue bead by Byrd Baylor, 1992
Tanka the cave boy by Ross Hutchins, 1973

Picture Books

November is Picture Book Month and so I made a list of 30 picture books that I did not mind repeatedly reading to my children.

All fall down by Helen Oxenbury This was the first picture book my daughter asked me to read again.

Maisy makes gingerbread by Lucy Cousins The first book by son tried to read. I love Maisy anyway.

Miffy by Dick Bruna I remember reading Miffy as a child and so got one for my daughter. I was really surprised at how boring they are for an adult but something obviously appeals to children as both of mine liked them and so do many friends' children.

Handa's Surprise by Eileen Browne Handa picks seven fruits to take to her friend Akeyo but on the way they are eaten by a series of animals. Luckily however, a pile of tangerines falls into the basket instead. We all loved the illustrations which are so rich and the punchline always made me laugh.

Night Pirates Quite an anarchic story about a group of pirates straling a house front as a disguise for their pirate ship. Wacky text and illustrations have made this a family favourite.

Tell me a dragon by Jackie Morris Beautiful illustrations of sifferent types of dragons. If you don't believe in dragons this book may well make you change your mind.

What-a-mess by Frank Muir A friend lent me her collection of What-a-mess stories after I found one secondhand. A very messy afgham hound gets into many scrapes manily because he is not very bright. Very silly and lots of fun.

Little Bo-Peep's library book by Cressida Cowell Little Bo-Peep has lost her sheep so she goes to the library for help in finding them. One of those delightful books which has parts to pull out and read.

Angelina Ballerina by Katherine Holabird and Helen Craig Delightful illustrations and gentle stories about a dancing mouse. The idea may be twee but the whoile package is charming.

Princess and the Pea by Lauren Child A lovely retelling of this fairy story which quirky Lauren Child illustrations. I especially like the fact that the princess cannot say what a bad night she has had ebcause of her good manners.

Five minutes peace by Jill Murphy

Elephant tree by Penny Dale

Where's Chimpy?

Baby Duck

Each Peach Pear Plum by Jamet and Alan Ahlberg

Meg and Mog by Jan Pienkowsky

The Church Mouse by Graham Oakley

Mini Grey

Jane Ray

Shirley Hughes

Emma Chichester Clark

Fairytales far and wide

Usborne Puzzle Adventure series

Piratres galore

Asterix and Obelix series I remember reading and enjoying these as a teenager and now my daughter is enjoying them too. The puns are so bad they are good and the stories are so silly that they are hard to resist.

You wouldn't want to be series

The world is full of babies

River story

The Ladybird

Tell me again about the night I was born by Jamie Lee Curtis

Fairy Tales

As well as urban fantasy I really enjoy retellings of fairy tales. Here are all the ones I can remember.

Beauty and the Beast
Beauty bt Robin McKinley
Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley. McKinley loves this story so much she has retold it twice. Both different but delightful.

Cinderella
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Maid Maleen
The Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale. This was not a fairy story I particularly recognised but on going away and reading the original I coul see what a brilliant retelling Sahnnon Hale had managed. A girl is locked up in a tower for seven years for refusing the man of her father's choice. But what happens when the food begins to run out? Told by the maid servant and with references to a Mongolian set culture this was wonderful.

Princess and the Frog
The Frog Princess by E D Baker. The start of a whole series following the adventures of Emma and Edric. Enjoyable twist right at the beginning when the magic kiss turns the princess into a frog.

Sleeping Beauty
Briar Rose by Jane Yolen Uses the holocaust experience to explain the sleeping part. Beautiful and sad.

The Swan Princes
The Swan Kingdom by Zoe Marriott. When her mother is killed only our heroine recognises that her new stepmother may not be all that she seems.

Twelve Dancing Princesses
Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier. Five sisters go dancing in the realm of the fairies. Also has elements of the Princess and the Frog.

More than one tale
The Secret History of Tom Trueheart by Ian Beck. The first in a trilogy about Tom and his seven brothers who create the fairy tales by living them until the wicked scribe Ormestone decides that everything should have an unhappy ending.