I would like to thank Alex for inviting me to join the Norsevember celebrations for all things Viking. I was asked to post a feature during Week Four with a theme of Norse Memories – How did the Norse view their part in the world and what is their lasting legacy?

What could be more of a lasting legacy than literature? For this Norse Memories themed week, I will be spotlighting 10 early readers and middle grade books that have been inspired by Norse myths and legends and the Vikings this morning and another ten young adult books this afternoon. These stories are shaping the minds of the future.

I have only included fiction titles. Apart from arranging them by age they are not in any particular order of preference. I have included some classics and some new releases .

I hope you enjoy looking at my selection and please do add any more children’s fiction books that you can think of that have links to Norse mythology in the comments.

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The Magic Helmet: a Viking Adventure by Cath Jones, Published by Maverick

The Magic Helmet: a Viking Adventure by Cath Jones and illustrated by Dean Gray is a Level 10 white level banded reader. Recommended reading age 6 – 7 years.

Suddenly, there was a loud bang like a clap of thunder. The helmet slid down over his eyes and – WHOOSH! Harry finds himself aboard a Viking ship. Can he find a way home?

Blurb for The Magic Helmet: a Viking Adventure by Cath Jones and Dean Gray

There are lots of historical facts about the Vikings incorporated within the story.

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How To Be a Viking by Cressida Cowell, Published by Hodder Children’s Books

This particular edition of How To Be a Viking by Cressida Cowell is from a rejacketed version of the classic picture book that was the inspiration for Cressida Cowell’s bestselling How To Train Your Dragon fiction series, now a Dreamworks feature film.

Unlike his dad, Stoick the Vast, Hiccup is tiny, thoughtful and polite and scared of almost everything – especially of going to sea for the very first time. But go he must… So who will save the day when everything goes wrong aboard ship and all the big Vikings lose their cool? This wonderfully witty fable will delight all those who have ever faced up to their worst fears.

Blurb for How To Be a Viking by Cressida Cowell

This 2014 reissue includes a letter from Cressida Cowell to the reader. It is suitable for reader 6-11 years.

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Storm Hound by Claire Fayers, published by Macmillan Children’s Books

Storm Hound by Claire Fayers is a mash-up of Norse myth and Welsh legend, featuring Odin and the Wild Hunt.

Storm of Odin is the youngest stormhound of the Wild Hunt that haunts lightning-filled skies. He has longed for the time when he will be able to join his brothers and sisters but on his very first hunt he finds he can’t keep up and falls to earth, landing on the A40 just outside Abergavenny.

Enter twelve-year-old Jessica Price, who finds and adopts a cute puppy from an animal rescue centre. And suddenly, a number of strange people seem very interested in her and her new pet, Storm. People who seem to know a lot about magic . . . Jessica starts to see that there’s something different about her beloved dog and will need to work out which of her new friends she can trust.

Myth becomes reality in the unlikeliest of places in the fast-paced and funny adventure that won the Tir na n-Og award.

Blurb for Storm Hound by Claire Fayers

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The Long-Lost Secret Diary of the World’s Worst Viking by Tim Collins, published by Book House

The Long-Lost Secret Diary of the World’s Worst Viking by Tim Collins is illustrated by Isobel Lundie. It is part of a series of hilarious fictional diaries put us inside the heads of hapless figures from history in frazzling situations.

Halfdan is a 14-year-old boy living in Denmark in 1000 AD. His father wants him to stay at home and learn how to carve wooden tools, but Halfdan is determined to become a brave and strong Viking raider, pillaging villages in England. Unfortunately, the raid is a disaster, and Halfdan and his friend Astrid find themselves embarking on an unexpected and perilous trip with the famous Viking explorer Leif Erikson to a strange new land.

Blurb for The Long-Lost Secret Diary of the World’s Worst Viking by Tim Collins and Isobel Lundie

The book incorporates ‘Get Real’ fact boxes throughout, providing historical context and further information, as well as a timeline, historical biographies and a glossary in the end matter ideal for middle grade.

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Viking Boy by Tony Bradman, published by Walker Books

Viking Boy by Tony Bradman is an action-packed blend of historical adventure and fantasy for junior readers; a blast of uncensored Viking adventure.

Gunnar is the son of a Viking chieftain, living peacefully on his family steading with his mother, father and their people – until they are raided by Skuli and his Wolf Men, who raze his home to the ground and take his father’s life. Gunnar swears an oath to avenge his father’s death and save his mother from Skuli – but first he must run to save himself. Murderous raiders, hand to hand battles to the death, mythical flying wolves and a relentless sea journey to the Land of Fire and Ice… Unknown to Gunnar, his life has been foretold, and he finds he has a destiny greater than his own story.

Blurb for Viking Boy by Tony Bradman

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The Night Raider: A Viking Tale by Marie-Louise Jensen, published by ReadZone Book

The Night Raider: A Viking Tale by Marie-Louise Jensen is Fiction Express book written with the input of middle grade children and written from a dual narrative.

Astrid and Finn battle against suspicion as their carefully tended livestock continue to disappear. Will they succeed in finding and stopping the secret night raider? And who or what will it turn out to be? A gripping adventure story set in Viking times, with historical facts woven into the fast moving plot.

Blurb for The Night Raider: A Viking Tale by Marie-Louise Jensen

A gripping adventure story set in Viking times, with historical facts woven into the fast moving plot.

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Norse Myths: Tales of Odin, Thor and Loki by Kevin Crossley-Holland, published by Walker Books

Norse Myths: Tales of Odin, Thor and Loki by Kevin Crossley-Holland is illustrated by Jeffrey Alan Love and aimed at the middle grade market.

These dramatic, enthralling and atmospheric tales are based on the Scandinavian myth cycle – one of the greatest and most culturally significant stories in the world – and tell of Odin with his one eye, Thor with his mighty hammer and Loki, the red-haired, shape-shifting trickster. In this stunning collection of myths, the strange world of ancient magic, giants, dwarfs and monsters is unforgettably imagined.

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Blood Feud by Rosemary Sutcliff, published by Red Fox Classics

Blood Feud by Rosemary Sutcliff is suitable for middle grade, ages 9-11.

Jestyn the Englishman had once been Thormod the Viking’s slave, but after saving Thormod’s life he became his shoulder to shoulder man and sworn brother in the deadly blood feud to avenge Thormod’s murdered father, a feud that would take them all the way to Constantinople.

Blurb for Blood Feud by Rosemary Sutcliff

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The Viking Saga by Henry Treece, published by Puffin

The Viking Saga by Henry Treece contains all three books of this exciting middle grade trilogy: Viking’s Dawn, Road to Miklagard, Viking’s Sunset.

It is AD 780. Viking’s Dawn sees a young Norse boy, Harald Sigurdson, set sail for the Hebrides in the longship ‘Nameless’. The goal: to plunder the helpless coastal villages of Britain.

Just five years later, undeterred by his first desperate journey, the dauntless warrior puts to sea once again, in The Road to Miklagard – this time lured by the news of a fabulous hoard of treasure.

After a lifetime struggling with the bitter waves, Harald embarks on his last voyage in Viking’s Sunset, this time not for gain but to seek vengeance on a blood enemy.

Blurb for The Viking Saga by Henry Treece

Into this breath taking trilogy is woven the true spirit of the Vikings, whose great thirst for travelling the seas took them on incredible voyages in defiance of icy waters, terrible hardships and bloodthirsty resistance.

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Myths of the Norsemen by Roger Lancelyn Green, published by Puffin

Puffin Classics bring the very best children’s stories to a new generation with Roger Lancelyn Green’s time-honoured collection of Norse myths and legends. Myths of the Norsemen by Roger Lancelyn Green is introduced by bestselling author Michelle Paver, creator of the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness collection and Gods and Warriors, her epic Greek Bronze Age series for Puffin.

The great Norse sagas are full of magic and heroic deeds. Odin’s wanderings, Thor’s hammer, the death of Bakkur, the vision of Ragnarok – tales which have been told since time immemorial – are given a fresh life in this version, written as one continuous exciting adventure story.

This Puffin Classic contains additional endnotes for children including an author profile, a guide to who’s who, activities and more. Suitable for readers 10 years an up.

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I hope you like my selection please don’t forget to add any of your own examples in the comments and keep an eye out for my post later today on young adult books inspired by Norse Mythology and the Vikings.

Thank you again to Alex for inviting me to take part. Thank you.

To view Alex’s blog and read some of his posts go to: Spells and Spaceships.