Bringing the Anglo-Saxon era to life…
“Freedom for Bron is a tour de force of accurate history and epic adventures scenes, this is a really great book for Year 5 and 6 children.”
Request a free online visit from author NS Blackman plus a 20% discount on price.
Activity sheets to accompany the text: download here
Reviews of Freedom for Bron
“A tour de force of accurate history and epic adventure scenes, this is a really great book for Year 5 and 6 children.” The School Run
“This is an excellently written narrative that really evokes the period, bringing the reader an excellent cast of characters to relish.” Parents-In-Touch
“The engaging story of Bron, enslaved to a cruel and drunken blacksmith, who gains his freedom through bravery and loyalty…A rewarding read.” The School Librarian Journal
Reviews of NS Blackman’s school author visits
"His assembly and workshops were tailored perfectly to the age-group. Feedback from children has been superb." Sarah Skillern, headteacher at King’s Rochester Prep School
"The visit has brought the period to life! All our children were enthralled by the story-telling." Rachel Steele, KS2 teacher, Epsom Downs primary school.
Read the first chapter
Download activity sheets
Buy a class set - 20% discount
“They have absolutely loved it”
A teacher’s view of using Freedom for Bron
Author Visit Options
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Available when you purchase a set of books for your class.. Themes covered include where the Anglo-Saxons came from and what life was like for Anglo-Saxon farmers, warriors, children and traders. Includes a reading from the book and information about how the book is based on real Anglo-Saxon historical people.
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2 - 3 hours including a Saxon history quiz, a reading from the book and a fun activity where children replicate a meeting of Saxon elders (a Witan).
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Includes all the elements of a half day visit and includes time for book signing and for a session on creative writing and inspiration for historical fiction - including how “Freedom for Bron” is based on real historical characters.
An immersive story with strong female characters - NS Blackman reflects on writing his Saxon story
“My aim in writing Freedom for Bron was to create a cracking story that immerses children in the Anglo Saxon way of life - from farming to feasting, conflict, trading, Saxon clothing and everything in between! It was also important to me to include strong female characters. The story shows how the Angles, Saxons and Jutes (the Anglo-Saxons) lived in their daily village lives; how the three tribes interacted with one another and how they might have overcome their prejudice of one another to work together across divides. The free resources which are available to download from Dinosaur Books Ltd expand on these themes and in addition there is a useful “fact v fiction” section at the back of the story where I explain why I have included the characters and events that take place as well as and how I was inspired to write the story.”
- NS Blackman, author of Freedom for Bron
