Freedom for Bron, by N.S. Blackman

“A tour de force of accurate history and epic adventure scenes this is a really great book for Year 5 and Year 6 children”  - The School Run, review site for teachers and parents

Bron is an enslaved Saxon boy who dreams of being free from the cruel treatment that he receives from his master, the village blacksmith. He receives no thanks, little food and cruel jeers from some of the other children in the village.

But one day, while collecting firewood Bron encounters a young warrior - the niece of a local king. She has been charged with helping to bring peace to the local Saxons and Jutes - the two tribes are on the brink of war.

Bron takes his chance to escape, leave behind his life of drudgery and join the young warrior and her leader, Lord Beogard, on their dangerous and daring quest. Can Bron prove that honour and bravery are not only for those born to be warriors?

A tale of friendship and the desire to belong, this adventure resonates with all children and immerses readers in the early Anglo-Saxon era, with plenty of detail about the myths and culture of that time.

Editorial Reviews

“An excellently written narrative that really evokes the period” - Parents-In-Touch

“The story is well researched and makes it easy for pupils to engage imaginatively with the historical setting as seen through the eyes of a child” - Books for Topics

 "The landscape of villages, farms and dangers for travellers is realistically drawn, and the mythology of the time is deftly conjured… A rewarding read."    – The School Librarian Journal

“I really liked this story for the simple reason that while we read it the kids were constantly learning about what life would have been like in the Anglo-Saxons time. They read about the typical life on a Anglo-Saxon farm, how important the harvest was and how vulnerable the farmers were to raiders. They learnt how the everyone was always suspicious of strangers. They learnt about what a basic house would have been like, how they ate and drank ale and not lots of water. …  I really felt by reading this story about Bron the kids learnt an incredible amount about the general life during the Anglo-Saxon times.” – OFamily Learning Together

Free Resources for Schools

• There are free, downloadable activity sheets to accompany the book - download them here

• Teachers who buy a class set of books are eligible for a 20% discount and a free, online author visit from NS Blackman - details here

Order here

From this site: UK orders shipped via Royal Mail Second Class Tracked.

• School Orders - 20% discount and free online author visit: available for 30+ classroom copies. Please email for a 20% discount - info@dinosaurbooks.co.uk and click here for author visit information

• Bookshop.org - an online site that raises money for independent high street booksellers

• Amazon

Our books can also be ordered from all educational suppliers and in person, at your local UK high street bookstore - please support you local bookshop where you can!