The Golden Horsemen of Baghdad

When his father, a fisherman, dies, Jabir is left in charge of his mother and his three sisters. When their landlord threatens to evict them, Jabir must find work so he heads for Baghdad, the most fascinating city in the world.

However, Jabir is thrown into prison for stealing food and things look desperate for him. Fortunately, Jabir’s talent for whittling toys means he is rescued by a clockmaker who needs him to carve twelve golden horsemen to decorate a water clock for Caliph Harun Al-Raschid. But someone seems determined to prevent Jabir from completing his task and he and Yasmina, daughter of the clock maker, have to seek help from his mother’s people who live in the desert. Will the clock be finished in time?

Not only is this an amazing adventure story with a pacey plot and excellent characters, but it is perfect for supporting the History curriculum at KS2-’a non-European society that provides contrasts with British history… early Islamic civilization, including a study of Baghdad c. AD 900’. The book is richly detailed and offers much information about Baghdad and life at this time as the fabric of the story, making in invaluable for those choosing to teach this period. The quality of writing, its historical setting and the compelling nature of the story make it an excellent text for using as a focus both both history and English, bringing the period alive and offering many opportunities for drama, writing in a range of genres and contexts, exploring vocabulary and offering a challenging read. It’s length also makes it a very achievable read. This is the type of book that makes me itch to start planning! Fabulous!

The Golden Horsemen of Baghdad Saviour Pirotta

Bloomsbury ISBN: 978-1472955999

Mark of the Cyclops

Set in Ancient Greece, 'Mark of the Cyclops' follows the adventures of Nico and Thrax. A freeborn apprentice, Nico is a scribe who works for Master Lykos and when new slave, Thrax, joins the household, the two are sent with his son, Ariston, a poet, to a very important wedding in Corinth. On this trip, the boys show a flair for detecting when a precious wedding vase is broken and a slave girl. Gaia, is blamed. A mysterious stranger with the mark of the Cyclops on his face keeps appearing- is he involved in the mystery somehow?

Books like this are a real gift to teachers. The historical content is not incidental, but woven seamlessly into the fabric of the story, making it rich in detail about the period. Most things are explained naturally within the context of the writing, for example...

We found the agora teeming with people, like a anthill at the height of summer. There were stalls laden with fish, still gasping from being pulled out of the sea... We spied cheap jewellery and blue amulets shaped like eyes to ward off sickness and bad luck. I found the stall selling papyrus and stopped to admire it. It had lots of other wonderful things for sale too. Reed pens and styluses and inkwells in various shapes and sizes, some of them with cork stoppers to stop the ink drying up.

"Look at these little knives," said Thrax. "They have beautiful bone handles."

"They're sharpening knives. Scribes use them on their kalamos."

A glossary, a section explaining the many and varied pots used at this time and information about Greek Gods and Goddesses are included at the end of the book to ensure nothing is missed. Vividly described scenes and the use of correct terms really help to immerse the reader in the world of the Ancient Greeks.

But this is not 'just' a historical novel. It is also a very convincing detective story with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader completely engrossed in the action. The classic Poirot and Hastings, Holmes and Watson combination of detective and sidekick who records their brave deeds is cleverly developed with Thrax, a slave boy with a knack for problem solving and observation, teaming up with Nico, a scribe who dreams of writing his own stories. 

There is so much work that could stem from this fabulous story- meaningfully linked to Ancient Greece if that happens to be the class topic- or as a novel in its own right. Discussions about slavery and its role in Ancient civilisations could be linked to reading books like 'Kick' (one of our Moving On titles) which raises the topic of modern slavery. With 'individual liberty' being one of the core British values, this could easily form part of their SMSC work. 

The book offers numerous opportunities to develop oracy skills as well as reading and writing opportunities.The historical and geographical links are obvious, but there are also science links which could be made, particularly around changes of state. Saviour Pirotta is the author of many other books, including some of my favourite re-tellings of myths and legends from many countries which having read this, children are sure enjoy exploring for themselves. 

The book is full of atmospheric, black and white illustrations which, as well as adding to the story, could be used as a starting point for work. They are full of details from the story, well worth lingering over!

A thoroughly enjoyable story which thankfully is part of a series so the further adventures of Nico and Thrax can be enjoyed as they solve further mysteries in the Ancient Greek world.

Mark of the Cyclops: An Ancient Greek Mystery     Saviour Pirotta

Bloomsbury     ISBN: 978-1472934147

The Stolen Spear

Wolf lives with his family on Great Island. In a society where being strong and brave is valued, Wolf struggles to fit in, When a sacred spear is stolen from a burial mound, Wolf finds himself blamed for the crime and must leave his home to try and clear his name.

Set at the end of the late Neolithic period, ‘The Stolen Spear’ is full of details about the lives of the people of this time. Saviour has used the Orkney Islands and Skara Brae as the setting for the story, making this the perfect story for using to support history work on this period. As Wolf leaves his home in search of the truth, the reader is allowed to compare life in Wolf’s settlement with that on the other islands. The illustrations by Davide Ortu, spread throughout the book, add much to the story.

As well as its historical detail, the story is one of friendship and bravery, of finding your place in the world. Wolf is a very likeable character, easy to empathise with and suggested questions are included at the end of the book to encourage discussion.

A thoroughly enjoyable adventure, ‘The Stolen Spear’ is a great story which is perfect for using with work on the Stone Age.

The Stolen Spear Saviour Pirotta, illsutrated by Davide Ortu

Maverick ISBN: 978-1848864085