The bronze dagger - Linda Upham

Brigid and Alan are brought up by Grandmother, the wise woman of their village. Although their people have not joined Budicca's rebellion, the children - with Grandmother's help - take in and shelter Brian, a wounded fugitive. Grandmother recognises the bronze-work of Brian's dagger, which can only have been made by the children's father, taken as a slave some years before. When Grandmother dies, Brigid and Alan decide to travel northwards with Brian in the hope of finding their father. This unusual story captures a small piece of history during a dramatic period of England's past. The author creates a vividly believable picture of the resentment felt by native Britons against the overbearing rule of the Romans. The details of everyday life have been carefully researched, and the author has taken particular trouble to convey what life was like for girls. Travel was especially difficult and in the story of the children's journey, the author provides plenty of realistic detail, gleaned from research into the flora, fauna, place names and way of life of 1st Century Britain.