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Freedom For Bron
Bron, a young Saxon slave, does the hard work that his master the village blacksmith would rather avoid. His reward is a lack of food and cruel jeers from other, non enslaved children in the village. But, unbeknown to all, war is brewing! And when a famous Saxon warlord arrives at his village Bron gets a chance to prove that honour and bravery are not only for those who are already free... A tale of friendship and the desire to belong, this adventure resonates with all children and immerses readers in the Anglo-Saxon era, with plenty of detail about the myths and culture of that time. This new edition contains a helpful guide on how to pronounce the Anglo-Saxon names in the book.Freedom for Bron has been shortlisted for the 2017 James Reckitt Hull Children s Book Award for KS2.Accompanying KS2 activity sheets can be downloaded for free at any time from
192 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2016
12 people want to read
About the author
N.S. Blackman
10 books2 followersHello! I am a British author and illustrator of adventure books for children.
The Dinotek Adventures is my first series for young readers - I was inspired to write it after telling a story to my children during a long holiday walk. At the time they were very in to dinosaurs and museums!
I am also writing a series of Ebooks for very young children which feature the same antique metallic dinosaur creatures (The Amazing Dinoteks).
I live in London with my children and wife. Last summer I toured some schools in Los Angeles - my first visit to California! It was great to meet some US children and teachers. In the UK I do lots of school visits and enjoy them very much.
My latest book is an historical adventure set in the Anglo-Saxon era, sometimes called the "Dark Ages". It's an exciting period in history.
Do drop by Facebook for a chat - https://www.facebook.com/NSBlackman - I also post "bonus" material for the Dinoteks series there. The series also has its own website - wwww.dinoteks.com
The Dinotek Adventures is my first series for young readers - I was inspired to write it after telling a story to my children during a long holiday walk. At the time they were very in to dinosaurs and museums!
I am also writing a series of Ebooks for very young children which feature the same antique metallic dinosaur creatures (The Amazing Dinoteks).
I live in London with my children and wife. Last summer I toured some schools in Los Angeles - my first visit to California! It was great to meet some US children and teachers. In the UK I do lots of school visits and enjoy them very much.
My latest book is an historical adventure set in the Anglo-Saxon era, sometimes called the "Dark Ages". It's an exciting period in history.
Do drop by Facebook for a chat - https://www.facebook.com/NSBlackman - I also post "bonus" material for the Dinoteks series there. The series also has its own website - wwww.dinoteks.com
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 21, 2024
This is aimed at the 7-11 age group audience but to be honest, I found this book fascinating!
When I was younger, I hated anything to do with history and I'm pretty sure that if I'd been given a book like this one, I'd have had a much different relationship with the whole subject!
This was packed with adventure and I loved following Beogard on his journey.
Along the way, Bron meets the group and with a little help, is able to buy his freedom, join them and learn to become a warrior himself.
The storyline is interesting enough in itself, but there's so much more included to keep your interest throughout.
I loved learning about the relationship between the Jutes and the Saxons and seeing Beogard joining the two in talks of peace.
We learn about the different ways of life in this period as well as a bit about their cultures and beliefs too.
The characters were well drawn and developed and even given the period differences, I think that many will easily relate to the themes of hope and friendship within the book.
The writing is nice and easy to follow and read. The short chapters also make this great for the younger readers to break down and read over a longer period.
I really liked that at the end of the story there's a section that answers some questions about what is fact and fiction within the story.
This was really interesting to read, but I can also see this being used in school lessons to help develop and cement the knowledge on this topic.
A really enjoyable (quick) read (for me). I definitely learned more here than I ever did in school lessons - and would love to see more from this author.
When I was younger, I hated anything to do with history and I'm pretty sure that if I'd been given a book like this one, I'd have had a much different relationship with the whole subject!
This was packed with adventure and I loved following Beogard on his journey.
Along the way, Bron meets the group and with a little help, is able to buy his freedom, join them and learn to become a warrior himself.
The storyline is interesting enough in itself, but there's so much more included to keep your interest throughout.
I loved learning about the relationship between the Jutes and the Saxons and seeing Beogard joining the two in talks of peace.
We learn about the different ways of life in this period as well as a bit about their cultures and beliefs too.
The characters were well drawn and developed and even given the period differences, I think that many will easily relate to the themes of hope and friendship within the book.
The writing is nice and easy to follow and read. The short chapters also make this great for the younger readers to break down and read over a longer period.
I really liked that at the end of the story there's a section that answers some questions about what is fact and fiction within the story.
This was really interesting to read, but I can also see this being used in school lessons to help develop and cement the knowledge on this topic.
A really enjoyable (quick) read (for me). I definitely learned more here than I ever did in school lessons - and would love to see more from this author.
October 1, 2024
I read the new version in paperback.
This new version about Angelo-Saxons, with a new name Freedom for Bron, is very easy to read and follow. This 150 page historical fiction book is ideal for children’s from the ages of 7-11 years-olds. Once the Romans used to rule Britain, but when the Roman Empire fell apart and the soldiers left, new people arrived, from farmer’s craftsmen, metal workers, warriors. These tribes called themselves Angles Saxons, and Jutes, within time they became known as the Angelo-Saxons, who were good at telling stories, but never written any down, they tell the story of a girl named Rowena and a little boy named Bron, who this story is about. My heart fell to pieces when Bron wants to visit the king, but the rule is only warriors can visit the king. There’s Spears, shields and swords, with an axe adding into this story. This brilliant educational story for middle grade readers and children has in a section at the back about facts vs Fiction about the Anglo-Saxons, where even I learned some new things.
This new version about Angelo-Saxons, with a new name Freedom for Bron, is very easy to read and follow. This 150 page historical fiction book is ideal for children’s from the ages of 7-11 years-olds. Once the Romans used to rule Britain, but when the Roman Empire fell apart and the soldiers left, new people arrived, from farmer’s craftsmen, metal workers, warriors. These tribes called themselves Angles Saxons, and Jutes, within time they became known as the Angelo-Saxons, who were good at telling stories, but never written any down, they tell the story of a girl named Rowena and a little boy named Bron, who this story is about. My heart fell to pieces when Bron wants to visit the king, but the rule is only warriors can visit the king. There’s Spears, shields and swords, with an axe adding into this story. This brilliant educational story for middle grade readers and children has in a section at the back about facts vs Fiction about the Anglo-Saxons, where even I learned some new things.
September 12, 2024
I took a chance on this book looking for something different and I am so glad that I did.
I found the book to be a really interesting read and particularly liked the ‘Fact vs Fiction’ element at the end.
The story itself is well paced and the main characters are well established and a liked them a lot. The story has plenty of tension and action to keep you entertained.
The chapters are a perfect length for sharing with children either as a class read or at bed times. They are also short enough to not be off putting to those who are developing the reading stamina. I feel this would be a perfect class read in KS2.
I found the book to be a really interesting read and particularly liked the ‘Fact vs Fiction’ element at the end.
The story itself is well paced and the main characters are well established and a liked them a lot. The story has plenty of tension and action to keep you entertained.
The chapters are a perfect length for sharing with children either as a class read or at bed times. They are also short enough to not be off putting to those who are developing the reading stamina. I feel this would be a perfect class read in KS2.
September 19, 2024
Freedom For Bron is a captivating read, full of intrigue and adventure with lots of brilliant characters that you'll genuinely care about, with great, interesting names.
Blackman really understands how to paint a picture with words and his writing is brilliantly descriptive, so much so that you'll really believe you are right there in the story.
The pace is just right, and the chapters are the perfect length for young readers.
It's a great read for anyone interested in history, but also anyone who's looking for something unusual or bit different.
I read this with our three Daughters over a few bedtimes.
5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from us.
Blackman really understands how to paint a picture with words and his writing is brilliantly descriptive, so much so that you'll really believe you are right there in the story.
The pace is just right, and the chapters are the perfect length for young readers.
It's a great read for anyone interested in history, but also anyone who's looking for something unusual or bit different.
I read this with our three Daughters over a few bedtimes.
5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from us.
September 20, 2024
What a lovely story! This is a great book for building confidence in reading for young people. The chapters are short, which is great as it don't seem too much in one go. The writing style is very descriptive, so it's easily imagined.
The pronunciation pages at the start were an amazing help. As we could say the characters names as attended. Also loved they had a little characteristics description, as that gave us a feel of what they were like.
Loving the map too! Every book needs a map!
The pronunciation pages at the start were an amazing help. As we could say the characters names as attended. Also loved they had a little characteristics description, as that gave us a feel of what they were like.
Loving the map too! Every book needs a map!
October 9, 2024
This is a great book for all children to read. It combines history with fiction so is teaching them about Anglo-Saxons whilst being an enjoyable story.
I loved the map at the beginning and the list of names and pronunciations - all books with difficult to pronounce names should have them.
The section at the back describing the real history behind the story was very interesting.
Excellent book which all children should be encouraged to read.
I loved the map at the beginning and the list of names and pronunciations - all books with difficult to pronounce names should have them.
The section at the back describing the real history behind the story was very interesting.
Excellent book which all children should be encouraged to read.
August 9, 2021
I enjoyed this book, despite the fact it is for children, and more specifically children 9 and above. It follows the story of Bron- a slave boy in Anglo Saxon England. With war brewing, will he be able to change the course of history? This book gives a great background to Anglo Saxon history and is easy and entertaining
August 21, 2020
Intelligent but exciting. Super for history fans but also anyone with an interest in a good and unusual story. Not for younger children, about age 8 and over - as an adult I enjoyed it very much.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews