The Silver Branch [Paperback]

Rosemary Sutcliff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1993 | Age Level: 10 and up

More than a century after The Eagle of the Ninth leaves off, two cousins join the Roman side in the fight against a tyrannical British emperor.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Superb...Enthusiastically recommended." --The Horn Book

About the Author

Rosemary Sutcliff (1920-1992) wrote dozens of books for young readers, including her award-winning Roman Britain trilogy, The Eagle of the Ninth, The Silver Branch, and The Lantern Bearers, which won the Carnegie Medal. The Eagle of the Ninth is now a major motion picture, The Eagle, directed by Kevin MacDonald and starring Channing Tatum. Born in Surrey, Sutcliff spent her childhood in Malta and on various other naval bases where her father was stationed. At a young age, she contracted Still’s Disease, which confined her to a wheelchair for most of her life. Shortly before her death, she was named Commander of the British Empire (CBE) one of Britain's most prestigious honors. She died in West Sussex, England, in 1992.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (September 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374466483
• ISBN-13: 978-0374466480
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #465,127 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Europe > England
  • #68 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Fiction > Ancient Civilizations

More About the Author

Rosemary Sutcliff wrote more than 40 historical novels for young adults-including The Eagle of the Ninth, The Silver Branch, The Lantern Bearers, The Sword and the Circle, and Black Ships Before Troy-five adult novels, and several books of nonfiction.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Silver Branch, June 8, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Silver Branch (Paperback)

Want a riveting historical-fiction novel with a plot that is better than most? If so, the Silver Branch is a book for you. Set in Roman Britan, over a century after the first book in the series, The Eagle of the Ninth, the book paints a picture of the life of two Romans, who seek to overthrow a tyrannical emperor who has separated himself, and Britan, from Rome. Rosemary Sutcliff has indeed woven a story whose plot is exceedingly diverse and well thought-out. The book gives the reader a gripping plot in which the reader is given a picture of the Roman world. The book paints a vivid picture of a Roman town, Legion, a gladiator fight, and the Roman's enemies the Saxon barbarians. Rosemary Sutcliff has the gift of being able to write very good historical novels.

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nobody can beat Rosemary Sutcliff, February 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Silver Branch (Paperback)

I found this book to be fantastic. I love the time and setting, but it was much more than that. The characters are all so real and alive, the historical events are so accuratly portrayed, and, most of all, the writing is excellent. Rosemary Sutcliff has fast become one of my very favorite authors, and I would definately reccommend this book to almost anyone, especially if you have any interest in the Roman Empire or Britian/early British history. (I only might not reccommend this to some kids, because the writing isn't always so easy, and they might get bogged down or confused)

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sutcliff is not just for kids, September 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Silver Branch (Paperback)

This is the second in a loosely linked trilogy (the 1st and 3rd books are 'Eagle of the Ninth' and 'The Lantern Bearers'), and is arguably the best of the three. Sutcliff's narrative is evocative and colorful, and the story is both engaging and full of surprises. If the book has any fault it is in a certain license taken with actual historical events, but since the setting is a very obscure period of Roman-occupied Britain, the liberty is easily overlooked. If you are a Sutcliff fan (and I have yet to meet anyone who has read her who isn't!) you will love this book!