The Short Knife

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Winner of the Tir na n-Og Award Shortlisted for the Young Quills Historical Fiction Award Longlisted for the Carnegie Medal It is the year 454AD. The Roman Empire has withdrawn from Britain, throwing it into the chaos of the Dark Ages. Mai has been kept safe by her father and her sister, Haf. But when Saxon warriors arrive at their farm, the family is forced to flee to the hills where British warlords lie in wait. Can Mai survive in a dangerous world where speaking her mother tongue might be deadly, and where even the people she loves the most cant be trusted

Reviews

"A distinctive and engrossing tale" -- David Almond
"It is full of thrills and kills while not scrimping on plot and character. Caldecott writes with a breezy lyricism The story of a divided Britain and the girls' mission to rebuild their family and survive in a country they barely recognise feels relevant and important" -- Alex O'Connell * The Times *
"Bright and real as the midsummer sunlight, and as powerfully drawn as a sharp, short knife" -- Hilary McKay
"I just loved The Short Knife. Beautifully written, lyrical and powerful its a fascinating insight into dark and desperate times which I found utterly absorbing. Grim and gritty but ultimately uplifting its a beautiful tribute to the courage and ingenuity of sisters" -- Tanya Landman
"Set in the authors native Wales during the dark days of the fifth century, Elen Caldecotts The Short Knife is an energetic, edge-of-your-seat page-turner with present-day resonance ... The cinematic scene-setting, first person narrative, and succinct, magnetically lyrical style make for a thrilling experience that will hook the most reluctant of readers" * Lovereading *

Author Bio

Elen Caldecott graduated with an MA in Writing for Young People from Bath Spa University and was highly commended in the PFD Prize for Most Promising Writer for Young People. Before becoming a writer, she was an archaeologist, a nurse, a theatre usher and a museum security guard. Elen's debut novel, How Kirsty Jenkins Stole the Elephant, was shortlisted for the Waterstone's Children's Prize and longlisted for the 2010 Carnegie Medal.