For teachers, librarians and schools

For Schools & Libraries

You are busy, and it is early, and you want the facts. Here they are, plainly.

Reading age

8 and upwards

Confident readers of 8 and up will manage it alone. It reads aloud beautifully to a whole class from about 6, and to anyone at all, at any age, by a fire.

Read-aloud

Made for it

Short chapters, clear scenes, and a good cliff at the end of most of them. Ideal for the last ten minutes of the day, if you can bear the groans when you stop.

Themes

Courage, kindness, honour

Belonging, homesickness, friendship across differences, and doing the right thing while afraid. No content that needs a warning. Nothing that dates.

Free to download

The teacher’s pack

Everything here is free, and none of it is gated.

The complete teacher’s packDiscussion questions, activities, and a comprehension. A Lumen servamus Latin activityWhat the school has said over its own door for 150 years. Design-your-own-crest sheetThe elm, the star, the ribbon, and a space of one’s own. The St Elowen legend comprehensionThe maiden, the lantern, and the boats. With questions.

Author visits

In person, and by video

The author visits schools, festivals and libraries, in person where the distance allows, and by video anywhere at all. Sessions suit a single class or a whole hall, and can take in the writing of the books, the real Weald behind them, and a reading.

Make an enquiry

Bulk orders & enquiries

For your school or library

This form is for professional use, by an adult acting for a school, library or business.