Jonathan Stroud Heros of the Valley



I hope you are all having a Great Christmas if any of you would like to see any thing on Mr Ripley's please feel free to email me. The address is at the top of the page.I am Also putting together a list of some of my favorite reads of 2008.I would be also inteasted in you the reader to find what books you liked in 2008 so get emailing me.

What is Heroes of the Valley about?

It’s the tale of young Halli Sveinsson, who’d very much like to be the hero in question. Certainly he’s got a hero’s heart (brave, reckless, resolute); unfortunately he’s also short and squat, with little stumpy legs and a face like a toad peering out in a rainstorm. Still, this doesn’t stop him trying to emulate the tales of the great heroes of old, much to the annoyance of his parents, his brother and sister, and everyone else in his small Scandinavian village.

Up on the hills are the burial cairns of his ancestors: beyond them legend says sinister creatures named Trows lurk beneath the ground. Halli would like to test this, but society is nice and peaceful; the days of strife are over and swords have been melted down.

Bored and frustrated, Halli rebels against the claustrophobic restrictions of his day-to-day life. When his pranks lead to sudden violence, Halli must set out on a true quest of his own, but he soon finds that life is more complicated than the stories he adores . . .

Review

Stroud’s new book is fresh and imaginative. It’s a tale set in a medieval world that recalls Norse epics and a heroes adventure. This book is truly wonderful and a compelling read for old and new fans alike. Funny and exciting with lots of memorable moments which makes this a timeless journey you will want to read again.

I give this book four out of five as Jonathan always writes like a dream and always a pleasure to meet him on tour.This is some of the events you may be able to go along to.
2009

Publication is Jan 1st. He his launching the book on 8th January in London. Most of the tour will consist of events in schools, which won’t be open to the public. But there are several public events, which are below:

8th Jan – Schools events, store signings and interviews in London
9th Jan – Schools events in Hertfordshire
19th Jan – Schools events in Doncaster and Wakefield
20th Jan – Schools events in York, Leeds, and…

20th Jan Public event in Bolton:
6 – 7pm The Central library, Le Mans Crescent, Bolton BL1 1SE
For more information and to book your seat call 01204 333173
Tickets are free but you must reserve your place.

21st Jan – schools events in Liverpool, Preston and…

21st Jan Public event in Preston
4.30pm Borders, Deepdale Shopping Park, Blackpool Rd, Preston, Lancashire PR1 6AF
For more information and to book your seat call 01772 703856
Tickets are free but you must reserve your place.

9th Feb – Schools events in Coventry, Kidderminster and…

9th Feb Public event in Dudley
7 – 8pm Earls High School, Furnace Lane, Halesowen, B63 3SL
For more information or to book your seat call 01384 816105
Tickets are free but you must reserve your place.



11th Feb – Public event in Wiltshire
7 – 8pm St Mary’s school, Curzon Street, Calne, SN11 0DF.
For more information or to book your seat emaillibrary@stmaryscalne.org.
Adults £2, children free.

12th Feb – schools events in Oxford



Jonathan is the author of the bestselling Bartimaeus trilogy, as well as stand-alone novels, Buried Fire, The Leap and The Last Siege. Jonathan worked as a children's book editor before becoming a full time writer. He lives in St. Albans with his wife and their two young children.

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