Pauline Chandler is an established writer of historical fiction for young teenagers. She weaves stories around the conflicts between invaders and natives of England, during the Dark and Middle Ages.
'Viking Girl', set in the Saxon times of King Alfred,tells the story of Beren,a Viking princess, who tries to solve the mystery of her father's death, with the help of his shadow-soul, the red fox. Her beloved hawk, Raed, has a part to play in the action. In 'The Mark of Edain' Aoife(Ee-fa), the Druid's daughter, clashes with the Roman Emperor, Claudius, when she tries to save his war elephant, Bala, from death in the circus. A chance trip to Rouen inspired Pauline's book,'Warrior Girl'. What do you say when your best friend tells you she's hearing messages from God and the saints? Do you go with her when she secretly leaves home to raise an army? Do you tell someone? Marianne, Joan of Arc's fictional cousin, narrates this amazing and true story, while telling of her own fight to claim a dangerous inheritance. Pauline received an Arts Council award for 'Warrior Girl', which allowed research trips to Domremy, Joan's birthplace,in north-eastern France, Reims and Rouen. New books for 2012 include a new edition of Pauline's first novel, 'Dark Thread' with Five Leaves Press. The story unfolds at the start of the Industrial Revolution, in Arkwright's 18thc. cotton mill in Cromford, near Pauline's Derbyshire home. 'Dark Thread'is now available for pre-order. Also new for this year: A Children's History of Derbyshire, reviewing Derbyshire's colourful past, in words and pictures, with fictional snapshots of what life might have been like, alongside all the facts!
