The White Isle is Britain – a barbaric land to the patrician Claudian family exiled from Hadrian’s Rome, but an island of strange enchantment and stirring adventures to Lavinia, their daughter.  Because Favonius, Lavinia’s father, had been too much in sympathy with the old Republic and had protested when the Emperor proposed to take the street Favonius’ house was on to expand his palace, Favonius incurred the Emperor’s disfavour, and was suddenly appointed ‘legatus’ to far away Britain.

After sad farewells and an abrupt cancellation of Lavinia’s wedding, the whole family began their long journey along the Roman roads through Gaul, across the channel to the white cliffs of the British coast.  The contrast between the cultures of the early British Christians and the pagan Roman aristocracy, and Lavinia’s conversion to Christianity, make a dramatic setting for the novel.

The Whilte Isle was one of the first books to bring young people a spirited picture of Roman life in Gaul and Britain and is on of CD Snedeker’s finest books.

 A child’s history of Scotland, from legendary days through the time when the kingdoms of Scotland and England were joined together. Relates in vigorous prose the thrilling exploits of the heroes and heroines who defended Scotland from its English invaders. Includes the stories of Macbeth, William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, Mary Queen of Scots, the poet king and the beautiful lady of the garden, the “Glen of Weeping” and many others. First published a century ago. PB 552p, 810g. Ages 10-18.

The history of Scotland is important to all Christendom.  Here was a nation which at one point covenanted with God to submit to the rulership of King Jesus.  This book will give you a general understanding of Scotland’s History.  But we encourage you to not stop at this book, but go on and discover the wonderful witness to Christ this nation once had.

Read the First Chapter!

Story Setting: Roman England in 66 – 67 A.D.

Originally published in 1873; 169 pages; For Ages 12 – AdultThe Druid priests are as cold and cruel as the forest spirits they claim to represent, and Guntra, the chief of her tribe of Britons, must make a desperate deal with them to protect those she loves. Unaware of Guntra’s struggles, Jugurtha, her son, longs to drive the hated Roman conquerors from the land. When he encounters the Christian Centurion, Marcinius, Jugurtha mocks the idea of a God of love and kindness, but there comes a day when he is in need of love and kindness for himself and his beloved little sister. Will he allow Marcinius to help him? And will the gospel of Jesus Christ ever penetrate the brutal religion of the proud Britons?

This book also has page end notes of any difficult words and their meanings, thus developing your child’s vocabulary as he/she reads!

Emma Leslie (1837-1909), whose actual name was Emma Dixon, was a prolific Victorian children’s author who wrote well over 100 books. Emma Leslie brought a strong Christian emphasis into her writing and many of her books were originally published by the Religious Tract Society.

See The Old Schoolhouse review.

Read the First Chapter!

Story Setting: Saxon England in 1053 – 1066 A.D.
Originally published in 1885; 222 pages; For Ages 10 – Adult

Having discovered God’s love for her, Gytha, a young slave, longs to escape the violence and cruelty of the world and devote herself to learning more about this God of love. Instead she lives in a Saxon household that despises the name of Christ. Her simple faith and devoted service bring hope and purpose to those around her, especially during the dark days when England is defeated by William the Conqueror. Through all of her trials, can Gytha learn to trust that God often has greater work for us to do in the world than out of it?
This book also has page end notes of any difficult words and their meanings, thus developing your child’s vocabulary as he/she reads!

“All in all, Gytha’s Message is an excellent piece of children’s historical fiction with strong moral themes, including faith through hardship and the bonds of family.” ~ Kathy Gelzer, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Read the full review

Read the First Chapter! 

Story Setting:  Danish England in 879 – 883 A.D.
Originally published in 1886; 266 pages; For Ages 12 – Adult

Knowing full well they may die in the attempt, a small band of monks sets out to convert the savage Danes who have laid waste to the surrounding countryside year after year. The monks’ faith is sorely tested as they face opposition from the angry Priest of Odin as well as doubts, sickness and starvation, but their leader, Osric, is unwavering in his attempts to share the “White Christ” with those who reject Him. Then the monks discover a young Christian woman who has escaped being sacrificed to the Danish gods—can she help reach those who had enslaved her and tried to kill her?

This book has page end notes with difficult words and their meanings, thus developing your child’s vocabulary as he/she reads.

Emma Leslie (1837-1909), whose actual name was Emma Dixon, was a prolific Victorian children’s author who wrote well over 100 books. Emma Leslie brought a strong Christian emphasis into her writing and many of her books were originally published by the Religious Tract Society.

Related titles:

In the Days of Alfre the Great

The Ancient Vikings

Historical Atlas of the Viking World