Terry Deary's Historical Tales
56 total works
1180 BC. Young Acheron is a liar. Everybody knows it. Troy is under siege and Acheron tells tales of Trojan bravery to entertain Prince Paris and the beautiful Helen at the palace. But when a stranger comes to the city to announce that the Greeks have departed, leaving a special gift of a wooden horse, Acheron is suspicious. He races to tell Prince Paris about the Greek plot, but will anyone at the palace believe him? Er, no, actually! As Aesop said, "There is no believing a liar, even when he speaks the truth."
From the bestselling author of Horrible Histories...
Stories of the First World War from the bestselling Terry Deary, author of the hugely successful Horrible Histories. Flanders 1918. The extraordinary true story of a pigeon who saved nearly 200 lives.
A troop of Americans are trapped behind enemy lines. Not only are their German enemies firing at them but so are their own side. Somehow they have to get a message to their comrades. The only way is by pigeon. But every time a pigeon rises in the air it is shot down. The last pigeon, a black bird called Cher Ami, flies with bullets zipping through the air all around him, covering 25 miles in just 65 minutes, helping to save the lives of the 194 survivors. In his epic journey he is shot through the breast, blinded in one eye, and left with a leg hanging only by a tendon. Army medics save his life. They can't save his leg, so they carve a small wooden one for him. When he recovers, the pigeon is put on a boat to the United States, a hero. Astonishing true tale of animals at war from master historical storyteller Terry Deary.
Book Band: Grey
Ideal for ages 8+
Quizzed for Accelerated Reader
Stories of the First World War from the bestselling Terry Deary, author of the hugely successful Horrible Histories. Flanders 1918. The extraordinary true story of a pigeon who saved nearly 200 lives.
A troop of Americans are trapped behind enemy lines. Not only are their German enemies firing at them but so are their own side. Somehow they have to get a message to their comrades. The only way is by pigeon. But every time a pigeon rises in the air it is shot down. The last pigeon, a black bird called Cher Ami, flies with bullets zipping through the air all around him, covering 25 miles in just 65 minutes, helping to save the lives of the 194 survivors. In his epic journey he is shot through the breast, blinded in one eye, and left with a leg hanging only by a tendon. Army medics save his life. They can't save his leg, so they carve a small wooden one for him. When he recovers, the pigeon is put on a boat to the United States, a hero. Astonishing true tale of animals at war from master historical storyteller Terry Deary.
Book Band: Grey
Ideal for ages 8+
Quizzed for Accelerated Reader
From the bestselling author of Horrible Histories...
Stories of the First World War from the bestselling Terry Deary, author of the hugely successful Horrible Histories. November 1916 - the war on the Home Front.
Millie is being told off for breaching the blackout when a Zeppelin airship crashes over Essex. Millie, the local constable and an elderly helper must round up the armed German crew before they escape. Meanwhile the 'invaders' are worrying about accidentally setting fire to the houses they were bombing! A strange but true tale of the Home Front for 7+ from the master historical storyteller.
Book Band: Grey
Ideal for ages 8+
Quizzed for Accelerated Reader
Stories of the First World War from the bestselling Terry Deary, author of the hugely successful Horrible Histories. November 1916 - the war on the Home Front.
Millie is being told off for breaching the blackout when a Zeppelin airship crashes over Essex. Millie, the local constable and an elderly helper must round up the armed German crew before they escape. Meanwhile the 'invaders' are worrying about accidentally setting fire to the houses they were bombing! A strange but true tale of the Home Front for 7+ from the master historical storyteller.
Book Band: Grey
Ideal for ages 8+
Quizzed for Accelerated Reader
From the bestselling author of Horrible Histories...
Stories of the First World War from the bestselling Terry Deary, author of the hugely successful Horrible Histories. Flanders, 1914. The German and British soldiers in the trenches make an unofficial Christmas truce, with carols and a football match. But the officers aren't happy...
A veteran soldier and a young recruit are 'celebrating' Christmas in the trenches of Flanders in 1914. They hear the enemy sing carols and watch them place Christmas Trees in the trenches opposite. They begin to shout greetings across no-man's land and end up playing an international football match. The match is hard-fought but with moments of generosity and sportsmanship on both sides. They see the 'enemy' as vulnerable humans and the officers are furious. Further unofficial truces are banned and the war goes on with bullets instead of footballs. But it's a memory that stays with young Albert long after the war. A moving and fascinating look at a very human moment of the Great War, by the master historical storyteller.
Book Band: Grey
Ideal for ages 8+
Quizzed for Accelerated Reader
Stories of the First World War from the bestselling Terry Deary, author of the hugely successful Horrible Histories. Flanders, 1914. The German and British soldiers in the trenches make an unofficial Christmas truce, with carols and a football match. But the officers aren't happy...
A veteran soldier and a young recruit are 'celebrating' Christmas in the trenches of Flanders in 1914. They hear the enemy sing carols and watch them place Christmas Trees in the trenches opposite. They begin to shout greetings across no-man's land and end up playing an international football match. The match is hard-fought but with moments of generosity and sportsmanship on both sides. They see the 'enemy' as vulnerable humans and the officers are furious. Further unofficial truces are banned and the war goes on with bullets instead of footballs. But it's a memory that stays with young Albert long after the war. A moving and fascinating look at a very human moment of the Great War, by the master historical storyteller.
Book Band: Grey
Ideal for ages 8+
Quizzed for Accelerated Reader
The slave girl doesn't even have a name. The bullying Vikings call her 'Fleece' because they make her look after the sheep. She works hard all day, and at night she must serve them food and wine. When an accident happens, and the Vikings have to bury their warrior chief, it looks like Fleece will have the most difficult job of her life - going with him to the afterworld. Surely this is a journey from which there is no escape...A Viking story blending Norse mythology with historical fact and Terry Deary's vividly imagined characters.
From the bestselling author of Horrible Histories, named 'the outstanding children's non-fiction author of the 20th century' by Books For Keeps
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In Saxon Kent the law says thieves should be executed, and soup made from a stolen sheep has been found in the Medway house. Young Edward takes the blame, but does his father know more than he's letting on? And can he find a way to save his son from hanging?
Join master storyteller Terry Deary for a trip back in time to Saxon times and an exciting adventure.
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‘Bubbling with wit, language play and robust dialogue....just the right mix of ingredients to trigger young readers' interest in all things historical.’ Books For Keeps
____________________
In Saxon Kent the law says thieves should be executed, and soup made from a stolen sheep has been found in the Medway house. Young Edward takes the blame, but does his father know more than he's letting on? And can he find a way to save his son from hanging?
Join master storyteller Terry Deary for a trip back in time to Saxon times and an exciting adventure.
____________________
‘Bubbling with wit, language play and robust dialogue....just the right mix of ingredients to trigger young readers' interest in all things historical.’ Books For Keeps
Young George is suspicious when his unloving father announces that he will be a squire to King Richard III. It is not long before he finds out that he is really a hostage to guarantee his father's loyalty to the king. After one failed escape attempt, George believes his tragic fate to be sealed. He isn't counting on the heroics of his faithful servant, Robin, who shows he will do anything to protect his young master. The king's allies are not so loyal and the future of England is about to change forever. An unusual tale, based on a real medieval knight, this story is full of Terry Deary's dark humour and dry wit.
The North Atlantic, 1726
Captain Fly is the greatest pirate to sail the seven seas - or so he says. But his captives Jed and Arthur think he's a bad-tempered bully. Now Captain Fly has ordered his prisoners to work for him as pirates, or he'll kill them! It's time to stop the cruel captain for good...
A fantastic story blending pirate legend with historical fact and Terry Deary's vividly imagined characters!
Captain Fly is the greatest pirate to sail the seven seas - or so he says. But his captives Jed and Arthur think he's a bad-tempered bully. Now Captain Fly has ordered his prisoners to work for him as pirates, or he'll kill them! It's time to stop the cruel captain for good...
A fantastic story blending pirate legend with historical fact and Terry Deary's vividly imagined characters!
From the bestselling author of Horrible Histories...
Ireland, 1593
Grace O'Malley is the greatest pirate that ever lived, the terror of the Irish Sea. Her gang of cut-throats rule the waves ... until Grace is captured! But instead of being hanged, she is sent to London - by royal command. What will happen when the Queen of the Pirates meets the Queen of England?
A fantastic story blending pirate legend with historical fact and Terry Deary's vividly imagined characters.
Book Band: Grey
Ideal for ages 7+
Quizzed for Accelerated Reader
Ireland, 1593
Grace O'Malley is the greatest pirate that ever lived, the terror of the Irish Sea. Her gang of cut-throats rule the waves ... until Grace is captured! But instead of being hanged, she is sent to London - by royal command. What will happen when the Queen of the Pirates meets the Queen of England?
A fantastic story blending pirate legend with historical fact and Terry Deary's vividly imagined characters.
Book Band: Grey
Ideal for ages 7+
Quizzed for Accelerated Reader
It's 1838, and Patrick and Grace Leary are aboard The Sirius,
set to become the first ever ship to sail from Dublin to New York using
only steam power. But their cousin Ben is on board Brunel's giant steam
ship the Great Western in Bristol, and he's convinced he'll be in New York before them.
With fires causing havoc, Brunel getting injured and one ship running
out of coal, which steam driven sea monster has the power to win this
dangerous race?
set to become the first ever ship to sail from Dublin to New York using
only steam power. But their cousin Ben is on board Brunel's giant steam
ship the Great Western in Bristol, and he's convinced he'll be in New York before them.
With fires causing havoc, Brunel getting injured and one ship running
out of coal, which steam driven sea monster has the power to win this
dangerous race?
'Mixing historical fact with fiction, these books provide both an insightful and informative read...Thoroughly enjoyable' SCOTT EVANS, THE READER TEACHER (@MrEPrimary)
A fast-paced Stone Age adventure from the best-selling author of Horrible Histories.
17,300 years ago. Lascaux, France.
Willow isn't the strongest or fastest in his tribe, he is careful and clever. But that's not what matters to the other boys. All they care about who is the best hunter, and who can provide meat for the tribe. So when the brawny and brash Bull takes over as the tribe's chief, it's going to take all of Willow's wits to survive.
An exciting tale based on real historical and archaeological evidence, this story is full of Terry Deary's imaginative style and dry wit. With helpful reading notes to extend learning, this book is the perfect springboard for further study of the Stone Age under the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum.
Book band: Brown
Ideal for children aged 7+
A fast-paced Stone Age adventure from the best-selling author of Horrible Histories.
17,300 years ago. Lascaux, France.
Willow isn't the strongest or fastest in his tribe, he is careful and clever. But that's not what matters to the other boys. All they care about who is the best hunter, and who can provide meat for the tribe. So when the brawny and brash Bull takes over as the tribe's chief, it's going to take all of Willow's wits to survive.
An exciting tale based on real historical and archaeological evidence, this story is full of Terry Deary's imaginative style and dry wit. With helpful reading notes to extend learning, this book is the perfect springboard for further study of the Stone Age under the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum.
Book band: Brown
Ideal for children aged 7+
Cristina is just a frightened servant girl who works in the palace. Until, that is, she gets tangled up in a cunning plot. She will be crucial in the success of the great knight El Cid's last battle and the safety of the entire city against the attacking Berbers. She will have to find new depths of courage to play her part. An unusual tale, based on a real medieval knight, this story is full of Terry Deary's dark humour and dry wit.
Life in the monastery is simple for Edwin and Luke, two young boys who are training to be monks. It seems that nothing will disrupt the peace and order. Then news arrives that the Vikings have invaded, and they are forced to run for their lives. If the Vikings catch them, they will be taken away and become slaves. But with the elders in danger, will they turn back to help them? A Viking story blending Norse mythology with historical fact and Terry Deary's vividly imagined characters.
From the bestselling author of Horrible Histories, named 'the outstanding children's non-fiction author of the 20th century' by Books For Keeps
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It's tough being a peasant in Saxon Britain. The taxes are too high, there are bandits everywhere, and rabbit porridge for dinner every night. Even worse, now the local thane, Lord Ethelbert, is plotting to take King Offa's throne, and the villagers are caught in the crossfire.
Can clever young Marian keep the peace? More importantly, can she keep her head?
Join master storyteller Terry Deary for a trip back in time to Saxon times and an exciting adventure.
____________________
'Bubbling with wit, language play and robust dialogue....just the right mix of ingredients to trigger young readers' interest in all things historical.' Books For Keeps
____________________
It's tough being a peasant in Saxon Britain. The taxes are too high, there are bandits everywhere, and rabbit porridge for dinner every night. Even worse, now the local thane, Lord Ethelbert, is plotting to take King Offa's throne, and the villagers are caught in the crossfire.
Can clever young Marian keep the peace? More importantly, can she keep her head?
Join master storyteller Terry Deary for a trip back in time to Saxon times and an exciting adventure.
____________________
'Bubbling with wit, language play and robust dialogue....just the right mix of ingredients to trigger young readers' interest in all things historical.' Books For Keeps
From the bestselling author of Horrible Histories, named 'the outstanding children's non-fiction author of the 20th century' by Books For Keeps
____________________
England, 1609
Sir Robert Hylton is the last knight of the grand Hylton Castle, and by far the worst. His servants live in fear of his violent and cruel temper, terrified of doing anything that might displease their master. And when absent-minded stable boy Roger Skelton makes a fateful mistake, they learn just how cruel Hylton’s last knight really is…
A strange and exciting tale, based on a real medieval knight, this story is full of Terry Deary's dark humour and dry wit.
____________________
‘Bubbling with wit, language play and robust dialogue....just the right mix of ingredients to trigger young readers' interest in all things historical.’ Books For Keeps
____________________
England, 1609
Sir Robert Hylton is the last knight of the grand Hylton Castle, and by far the worst. His servants live in fear of his violent and cruel temper, terrified of doing anything that might displease their master. And when absent-minded stable boy Roger Skelton makes a fateful mistake, they learn just how cruel Hylton’s last knight really is…
A strange and exciting tale, based on a real medieval knight, this story is full of Terry Deary's dark humour and dry wit.
____________________
‘Bubbling with wit, language play and robust dialogue....just the right mix of ingredients to trigger young readers' interest in all things historical.’ Books For Keeps
From the bestselling author of Horrible Histories, named 'the outstanding children's non-fiction author of the 20th century' by Books For Keeps
____________________
Germany, 1227
One night in a quiet German village, a stranger enters a local tavern. He is Sir Ulrich of Bavaria, a knight with a deadly sword, a noble steed… and a green silk dress. Sir Ulrich fights for Venus, the goddess of love, and dresses as a woman in her honour. He will give a gold ring to any man who dares fight him, but who will step up to such an unusual challenger?
A strange and exciting tale, based on a real medieval knight, this story is full of Terry Deary's dark humour and dry wit.
____________________
‘Bubbling with wit, language play and robust dialogue....just the right mix of ingredients to trigger young readers' interest in all things historical.’ Books For Keeps
____________________
Germany, 1227
One night in a quiet German village, a stranger enters a local tavern. He is Sir Ulrich of Bavaria, a knight with a deadly sword, a noble steed… and a green silk dress. Sir Ulrich fights for Venus, the goddess of love, and dresses as a woman in her honour. He will give a gold ring to any man who dares fight him, but who will step up to such an unusual challenger?
A strange and exciting tale, based on a real medieval knight, this story is full of Terry Deary's dark humour and dry wit.
____________________
‘Bubbling with wit, language play and robust dialogue....just the right mix of ingredients to trigger young readers' interest in all things historical.’ Books For Keeps
Ireland, 1593
Grace O'Malley is the greatest pirate that ever lived, the terror of
the Irish Sea. Her gang of cut-throats rule the waves ... until Grace is
captured! But instead of being hanged, she is sent to London - by royal
command. What will happen when the Queen of the Pirates meets the Queen
of England?
A fantastic story blending pirate legend with historical fact and Terry Deary's vividly imagined characters!
Grace O'Malley is the greatest pirate that ever lived, the terror of
the Irish Sea. Her gang of cut-throats rule the waves ... until Grace is
captured! But instead of being hanged, she is sent to London - by royal
command. What will happen when the Queen of the Pirates meets the Queen
of England?
A fantastic story blending pirate legend with historical fact and Terry Deary's vividly imagined characters!
Stories of the Second World War on the Home Front from the bestselling Terry Deary, author of the hugely successful Horrible Histories. In this retelling of an extraordinary true story, a pair of children realise that the odd strangers they see in their tiny Scottish village are German spies. Can the children alert the authorities or will the ruthless spies find them first?