Longbow Girl

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“Longbow Girl is a book that combines all the elements I love: YA, historical fiction, a kick-ass female narrator and a non-romantic story. What more can a girl ask for?” ***** The Beauty of Literature

Schoolgirl Merry faces the loss of her family’s farm. For centuries, the Owens have bred ponies in the shadow of the Black Castle, the wild Welsh home of their arch-enemies, the de Courcys.

In the roots of a storm-turned tree, she makes an extraordinary discovery: a treasure that offers her the chance to turn back time and change a past filled with untold secrets and danger.

Merry is brave enough for most things. She’s a skilled rider and archer: a born fighter. But is she ready for this, the greatest adventure of her life?

*Longbow Girl*: winner of the **Mal Peet Children’s Book of the Year Award** 2016

Read the reviews

“Though Linda Davies has already made a reputation as a writer of adult thrillers, she is a **new talent in writing for a younger audience**. She makes the transition with ease.” (Click to read full review)

“Set in the remote Brecon Beacons, combining adventure, history and fast-paced thriller, Merry and James are distinctive, interesting characters.” (Click to read full review)

“I think this is one of those novels that will reach far beyond the intended audience of young adults. Many others, both older and younger, will enjoy reading it for the fast paced storyline and the fine prose.”
Kiwi Reviews (click to read full review)

“Wales, longbows, and ponies! What’s not to like? …Fast paced and the total page turner.”
Not Acting My Age (click to read full review)

“It is well-researched historical fiction and also a meticulously crafted time travel novel. No easy feat, but one that Linda Davies pulls off with aplomb.
Carol Baldwin (click to read full review)

“Davies’ love of history and folklore shine through this exciting and gripping tale of a resourceful, brave, and complex girl.” (Click to read full review)

“Full of suspense, adventure, historical intrigue, and a bit of romance, readers will relish this captivating tale of fighting for what is important.”
Carrie Randall, Librarian, Homer Brink Elementary School, Endwell, New York

“While there is danger and enchantment, there’s also tough love, brilliant horses and a heroine who finds her hero in a cause worth fighting for!” (Click to read full review)

“Linda Davies deftly blends **real-life issues, the challenges of a remote landscape, and the supernatural** in this young adult novel.” (Click to read full review)

“Outstandingly good.”

“Davies’s first novel for young adults richly attends to history, weaving Welsh legends and mysticism into a story that abounds with adventure and features an uncommon heroine.” (Click to read full review)

“Weaving together Welsh legends, time travel, the bonds of friendship and the danger of discovery, Davies presents a tapestry sure to delight any reader age 12 and up. **What makes this story even better is that Merry is not a perfect girl**; she has only one eye, due to an accident, and she has a knack for disobeying rules and taking chances. Her courage and spunk are admirable.” (Click to read full review)

“Merry herself is a splendid character: rash, brave, loyal, and intelligent.” (Click to read full review)

“A surprising dramatic fantasy. The story is intense and gripping.”
SciFi Chick (click to read full review)

“It’s Merry’s independence that makes this story so fun to read.” (Click to read full review)

“Cleverly constructed and told with historical passion…”
Mr Ripley’s Enchanted Books (click to read full review)

“She has created one of those storytelling experiences wherein everything is believable, contemporary – in this or a previous time – and totally enticing.”
Rob, Amazon reader (click to read full review)

The best review of all: “5 out of 5” from Harriet’s book reviews! Thank you Harriet!

Awards for Longbow Girl

2016 Historical Association Young Quills Award Nominee

*Longbow Girl* wins Mal Peet Children’s Book of the Year Award, East Anglian Children’s Book Award 2016

*The Daily Telegraph* **Top 45 YA Books of 2015**

Shortlisted for the 2017 Tir na n-Og Awards

Voted USBBY Outstanding International Book of 2017 (2017.3, Grades 6-8)

Voted Bank Street CBC Best Children’s Book of the Year (2017.4d, Twelve to Fourteen, Fiction, Fantasy)

Hear about Longbow Girl from Linda Davies!

Hear Linda talking about Longbow Girl at the Hay Festival!

Linda Davies speaks on *Longbow Girl* at the **Hay Festival Winter Weekend** 2015

Discover the historical background to Longbow Girl

A Longbow is for Life
Article by Linda Davies for Historia Magazine

‘It was the machine gun of its age,’ expert longbower explains how humble weapon won the Battle of Agincourt
Interview with Linda Davies for ITV News, 29 October 2015

Why the Battle of Agincourt is still important today
Article by Linda Davies for The Guardian, 25 October 2015

My father taught me how to fight and a lot of other ‘boy things’ too
Interview with Linda Davies for East Anglian Daily Times, 2 September 2015

Empowering girls. It’s not what you look like, it’s what you do!
Article by Linda Davies

Linda Davies with her own longbow, Huntress

The original Jacintha
The original Jacintha
The original Jacintha grazing at home in the Welsh hills with her friend Jason
Maen Llia, the Neolithic standing stone which guides Merry
Welsh ponies on Pen-Y-Fan

Longbow Girl in translation

Welsh

Meistres y Bwa Hir

Atebol, 2015. ISBN-13: 978-1910574409. A Welsh adaptation by Efa Mared Edwards.

Disgrifiad byr

Addasiad Efa Mared Edwards o’r nofel Longbow Girl gan Linda Davies.

Wedi ei lleoli yn harddwch Bannau Brycheiniog, lle magwyd Linda Davies, mae’r stori yn adrodd hanes Mari Owen, merch ddewr a phenderfynol ac un sy’n giamstar ar ddefnyddio’r bwa hir.