The Boy with the Bronze Axe (Puffin Books) [Paperback]

Kathleen Fidler (Author), Edward Mortelmans (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 1976 | Series: Puffin Books

A lost boy who has a sharp bronze ax and a wooden boat is taken in by a tribe that only knows how to work with stone.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'This is a fascinating story about a stone-age village on Orkney and their struggle to deal with new technology and ways of thinking. An ideal read for history fans.' -- Fiona Petrie, Waterstone's Guide to Children's Books '10 to 14-year-olds will get excited about The Boy With the Bronze Axe, set in prehistoric times.' -- Greenock Telegraph, June 2005 'A brilliant story.' -- Jack, age 8, Education Otherwise 'A classic children's tale -- a new generation of readers will enjoy this story.' -- The Scots Magazine, June 2005 'I work at Skara Brae here in Orkney and my most frequently asked question is "Do you have The Boy with the Bronze Axe?"' -- Diana Potter, Skara Brae 'I lived 45 minutes from Skara Brae and read this book as a kid. It's a book that conjures up so many different emotions for a young reader. Four stars.' -- amazon.com reader review 'I read this book at the age of 10. It was my first novel about prehistoric times and lead me to buying many more as I got older. Great for children with an interest in archaeology or history. Five stars.' -- amazon.com reader review 'Excellent details of prehistoric life are presented. Honor, gratitude and hatred combine to create an interesting read for middle-school students.' -- amazon.com reader review --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Kathleen Fidler (1899-1980) was the author of over eighty books for children, many of which were broadcast on BBC Radio Children's Hour and Schools programmes. She had a long-standing affection for Scotland, and was inspired to write The Boy With the Bronze Axe after a visit to Skara Brae on Orkney. The Fidler Award stood as a memorial to her deep interest in children and writers. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (March 30, 1976)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140305637
• ISBN-13: 978-0140305630
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,819,542 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Stone Age Disaster and Survival, December 20, 2000

By 

Plume45 "kitka12345" (Westchester, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Boy with the Bronze Axe (Puffin Books) (Paperback)

A ferocious storm in 1850 struck the Orkney Isles, revealing a small Stone Age settlement which had lain buried beneath the pitiless sands for over 3000 years. Inspired by the archaeological excavation, Kathleen Ridler has recreated the lifestyle of those rugged coastal dwellers in this book. A strange youth arrives by sea in a curious log canoe, carrying his most precious possession--an axe made of an unkown alloy: Bronze. Greeted with suspicion and even hostility the kindly youth struggles to become part of the tribe of Skara, as he quickly acquires two enemies.

Why does the tribe's venerated elder advise the chief stone cutter to heed the youth's words and defer to his ideas in the future? What terribe fate awaits the helpless village; how can a mere lad with his unusual axe help save his new family? Excellent details of prehistoric life are presented as Tenko becomes a crucial part of Birno's household. Prophecies of doom gather like a relentless undercurrent of disaster, leading readers to the grim but inexorable cataclysmic horror--no less poignant for being set in a remote era of pre history. We can relate to the human desire to survive at all costs. Whose secrets will be preserved for posterity? Honor, gratitude, and hatred combine to create an interesting read for middle school students, or anyone with a passion for mankind's ancient past and ingenuity.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent fiction based upon the actual archeological finds of Skara Brae, October 19, 2009

By 

K Watson "K Watson" (Mississippi) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Boy with the Bronze Axe (Kelpies) (Paperback)

This story is fiction but is based upon the actual archeological finds of Skara Brae. Items recovered at Skara Brae are included in the story and this gives us a glimpse into what life may have and probably actually was like 5000 years ago. I am 48 and found the read very interesting yet somewhat predictable but for young to older teens, it certainly would be a great read. I am reading it to my 7 year old and he is absolutely enthralled with it. Not only is he is learning about prehistoric life but he is truly loving the fact that the story uses actual artifacts in the story. It just makes it come to life. Kathleen Fidler did a wonderful job with this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Bronze Axe - Educational and very enjoyable, November 2, 2004

By 

DermotheDub (Cork, Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Boy with the Bronze Axe (Puffin Books) (Paperback)

A superb book - I got it when I was 8 and am now re-reading it with my kids and finding it just as enjoyable and educational for myself as well as them.
It is a wonderful story about a visitor to a stone age village with plenty of historical references that are very true to fact. Reading the book we were inspired to go looking for Skara Brae on the Internet and what we found matches what is in the book.
If it were republished, I am sure it would sell well.
The paperback copy I got in 1972 cost UKŁ0.20!