Books for Older Children and Teenagers

Taliesin

A triology based on the life of the Dark Age poet Taliesin

‘The version of Taliesin's story that most closely echoes the spirit of ancient Welsh literature may be the series of three juvenile novels by Frances Thomas.’

Arthur Without Fantasy - Dark Age Britain in Recent Historical Fiction - Dan Nastali. Arthuriana -1999

The Blindfold Track

1980 Macmillan (age 11+)

Tir na nOg prize 1980

‘a fascinating version of an ancient Celtic legend.’

MARJERY FISHER – GROWING POINT

A Knot of Spells

1983 Barn Owl Press (age 11+)

‘the author uses the distant past to suggest the universal problems of human relationships.’

GROWING POINT

The Region of the Summer Stars

1985 Barn Owl Press (age 11+)

Tir na nOg prize 1985

‘Exciting in action, compelling in emotion, this is a notable reconstruction of our distant past.’

GROWING POINT

Dear Comrade

1983 Bodley Head (age 12+)

Two teenagers with very different political views write to each other and begin to fall in love.

‘..convincing , funny and moving.’

SCHOOL LIBRARIAN

‘…they make an attractive duo, witty, intelligent and enthusiastically alive.’

GEOFFREY TREASE

Zak

1984 Bodley Head (age 13+)

Zak – a new boy at William Wordsworth School seems to be charismatic and sophisticated. But is he what he claims to be? Mark, the narrator, is confused.

‘Excellent – highly recommended.’

BOOKS FOR YOUR CHILDREN

‘Perception and humour…a wise-cracking self-deprecating style that is irresistible. This, together with a hilarious dialogue and fast-moving plot, makes it a book to relish.’

BRITISH BOOK NEWS

Cityscape

1988 Heinemann (age 12+)

Debra thinks she is frumpy and unpopular; until she finds a mysterious door leading into a City where at last she feels valued. She becomes involved with a group of rebels, and Cal, their charismatic leader. But back in the ‘real’ world, there is also Matthew, who wants to be her friend. Which world does she belong to, and who can she really trust?

‘Plenty of debating points here.’

NAOMI LEWIS

‘Among the proliferation of metaphors for growing up, the image of alternative cityscapes provides valid insights into teenage personality and problems.’

GROWING POINT

I Found Your Diary

2004 Andersen Press (age 14+)

Tom has found Hannah’s diary discarded on a skip. Reluctantly at first, he starts to read it, and is drawn into Hannah’s dark world of an unhappy and unsuitable love-affair, and strange sightings of a ghostly figure which seems to resemble her.

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Finding Minerva

2007 Pont Books (age 12+)

Tir na nOg prize 2008

What if the Romans had never left Britain? The great Roman city of Wroxeter forms the backdrop to this story. Livia is a well-bred young Roman-British girl who suddenly finds herself in danger. Only the secret that her father left behind can save her, if she can find it in time. But danger has its consolations, not least in the new freedoms she finds and her friendship with Cai, a boy from a very different social class to her own.

‘an action- packed adventure novel.’

WESTERN MAIL

‘Award winning author Frances Thomas has produced an exciting intelligent story with great character and a real sense of danger…Livia is an excellent heroine, brave but realistically shocked and frightened by all that is thrown at her. All in all, this is a gripping, hugely enjoyable novel and I would highly recommend it to anyone.’

JANET THOMAS
(a review from gwales.com with permission of the Welsh Books Council.)

‘…The setting is intriguing, the characters convincing and the suspense maintained throughout.’

SCHOOL LIBRARIAN

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Short Stories included in:

Twisted Winter (ed Catherine Butler) pub A&C Black 2013

The 14th Armada Ghost Book (ed Mary Danby) Collins 1982

Misfits (ed Peggy Woodford) Bodley Head 1984

You’re The Best! (ed Belinda Hollyer ) Kingfisher Books 2006