Rebel Heart

Rebel Heart is a new and exciting historical adventure story from Ally Sherrick, set in the English Civil War. The year is 1645 and with her father away fighting for the Royalists and her step mother about to surrender her home to the troops bombarding it, young Merriweather Pryce finds herself on a quest to find her father and save the family legacy. With the help of her friend, Will, and disguised as a boy, she sets off on her mission. Things do not go to plan, however, when she is captured by the Roundheads and is forced to witness the horrors of war.

Merriweather is a fantastic character, a strong and courageous heroine and her journey forces her to challenge her thoughts and beliefs making this book, not only an exceptional historical novel but also a thought-provoking and challenging read. The book feels authentic and portrays realistic events and is jam-packed with facts and there is a helpful notes section at the end of the book providing factual background and further reading.

368 pages / Reviewed by Sara Sumner

Suggested Reading Age 9+

The year is 1645 and the Civil War is raging. Merriweather Pryce decides to fetch her father to defend their home of Compton Blaize, as it is under attack from the Parliamentarian forces. Dressed as a boy, she leaves Compton Blaize to find him - only to run into deadly danger before she has gone too far. Her exploits take her to the heart of the 'Roundhead' forces and puts her life at risk in trying to do the right thing.

Rebel Heart is an exciting read from start to finish. Ally Sherrick knows how to take the reader back in time and to the edge of their seats! Merriweather is a great heroine, and she illustrates how complex the Civil War made everyday life and how it tore families apart.

This book contains a lot of violence and the most menacing villain I've come across in a long time. It is also stuffed full of interesting facts and takes you right into the heart of one of the crucial Civil War battles. It is also a book about trust and friendship and how wars both divide and untie people.

The striking cover by Steve Wells really puts the icing on the cake for this book. This book is suitable for Upper KS2 (due to the violence) and makes a gripping, action-packed adventure that keeps the reader enthralled from start to finish.

368 pages / Reviewed by Jacqueline Harris, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 9+

In 1645, England is a country torn by war, with families and friends divided as they fight either on the side of the King or Parliament. While Merriweather Price's father is away fighting for King Charles I, her home, Compton Blaize, is besieged by Cromwell's men. Fearful that her step-mother is going to surrender to the enemy, Merri disguises herself as a boy and sets off in search of help.

Rebel Heart is historical fiction at its finest. Full of action and adventure, the story is also rich in the level of detail which creates a sense of atmosphere and period so essential for a story of this kind.

Merriweather is such an engaging character. Courageous and loyal, she is determined to live up to her family motto, 'Fearless and True', and save her family home. On her way to find help, she encounters both ruthless people exploiting the chaos of civil war as well as those who truly believe that they are fighting on the 'right' side, making her re-evaluate her own beliefs and question things which she has simply accepted.

The story highlights the harsh realities of war with Merri witnessing the horrors of the Battle of Naseby as well as the suffering of those not fighting, but caught in the brutality of civil war. It also reflects the role played by many women who were left to defend their homes, defying the conventions that society placed on them.

Detailed notes at the end of the book offer much valuable background information, as well as encouraging readers to explore this period further.

Books like Rebel Heart are essential for broadening children's knowledge and understanding of periods of history beyond those taught in the primary curriculum, sparking interest in and awareness of the many layers of history which are everywhere. As with her other books, Ally Sherrick has a talent for bringing the past to life and writing really memorable stories full of adventure.

368 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 9+