Ann Lawrence (1) (1942–1987)

This is a lovely little fairy tale about a Duchess and heir to a kingdom who grows up with four young cousins, all half-brothers to each other. She has many plans for her kingdom, including ideas about education, though her cousins all expect that she will eventually marry one of them to help her run the kingdom.

I read this book once as a child, and then many years later could not find any information about it. It was long gone from my public library, and only after contacting several different libraries and children's librarians was I able to track it down.… (meer)

Iscium is a Roman city on the frontier of wild western Britain. All but forgotten about during the crises of the Roman Empire's disintegration, the inhabitants of the city carry on, governing themselves in Roman tradition.

They are cut off from communication with Rome, and imagine themselves quite alone in the wilderness. That is, until young Falx decides to run away, and stumbles upon a lost Saxon girl in the forest.

Events ensue from there, with a little help from a mysterious trader and two talking ravens. Will the Saxons and Romans come to blows?

This story had me hooked from the first pages. It is light and readable, with interesting characters and a swiftly moving plot.… (meer)