Customer Reviews

The Boy with the Bronze Axe (Puffin Books)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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It is a wonderful story about a visitor to a stone age village with plenty of historical references that are very true to fact.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!

I lived only 45mins away from Skara Brae and read this book as a kid. Living so close to where the book was set was really something for me. It's a book that conjures up loads of different emotions for a young reader (1st read it when i was 9) and now 15yrs later i'm trying desperatly to find a copy and recapture those feelings again. If you've read it you know what i mean...and if you haven't get out there and find yourself a copy and get reading. If anyone manages to find someone/anyone that sells it could they let me know i really really want it!!!!

I read this book in 1985 at the age of 10 and have been looking for a copy ever since. It was my first novel about prehistoric times and lead to me buying many more as I got older. I really enjoyed it. Great for children who have an interest in archarology or history.
****I would like to know if it is ever reprinted or if somebody has a secondhand copy for sale****

This was one of the first books I ever read. I remember reading the book was a great learning experience. The setting is a prehistoric bronze age community. I would highly recommend the book for a third to sixth grader if it ever comes back in print.