Leon Garfield
Leon Garfield (1921-1996) was a British novelist, best known for his historical fiction for children. His book based on the Greek myths, The God Beneath the Sea, won the 1970 Carnegie Medal. John Diamond, set in London, won the Whitbread Award for best children’s book in 1980.
Books by Leon Garfield
“The Apprentices is all linked short stories. There’s a story in it called ‘The Lamplighter’s Funeral,’ which is so evocative. But the one that really I love is called ‘The Valentine.’ It’s the equivalent of a girl being in love with a boy band: the unattainable romance. She’s in love with a corpse. He’s a very good-looking corpse, and her father is the undertaker.Garfield does 18th century. Not many writers do this period. I read a lot of nonfiction but I think fiction is a really good way of seeing the time, so I found his stories really useful. His language is so good. His storytelling is so good.” Read more...
The Best Historical Fiction for 8-12 Year Olds
Catherine Johnson, Children's Author
“It’s poetic. Such a wonderful, joyous use of language” Read more...
Books Drawn From Myth and Fairy Tale
Alan Lee, Cartoonists & Illustrator
Interviews where books by Leon Garfield were recommended
Books Drawn From Myth and Fairy Tale, recommended by Alan Lee
Alan Lee, illustrator of such classics as The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, talks to Five Books about his favourite stories drawn from myth and fairy tale, what they mean to him, and how important it is for young readers today to experience these ancient stories.
The Best Historical Fiction for 8-12 Year Olds, recommended by Catherine Johnson
There is some fabulous historical fiction out there for 8-12 year olds, some of it old, some of it new. British novelist Catherine Johnson, author of a number of historical novels for kids and young adults, recommends some of the best—from short stories to epics and from straight historical novels to those with a strong dose of fantasy and magic.
