Nordy Bank (novel) facts for kids
Front cover of first edition
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| Author | Sheena Porter |
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| Illustrator | Annette Macarthur-Onslow |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's adventure novel, supernatural fiction |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
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Publication date
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1964 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 144 pp (first edition) |
| ISBN | 0192770853 (New Oxford Library, 1979) |
| OCLC | 688964 |
| LC Class | PZ7.P8338 No3 |
Nordy Bank is an exciting adventure novel for children written by Sheena Porter. It was first published in 1964 by Oxford University Press. The book tells the story of a group of children on a camping trip in the beautiful hills of Shropshire, England.
During their holiday, the children discover that their campsite has a mysterious connection to the ancient past. The book won the important Carnegie Medal in 1964. This award celebrates the best children's book published in the United Kingdom each year.
Contents
What is Nordy Bank About?
An Easter Camping Adventure
The story begins with six children planning a fun camping trip. They choose to spend their Easter holidays on Brown Clee Hill. This spot is far away from busy summer tourists. They set up their camp right on top of the hill.
They soon learn that their campsite is actually Nordy Bank. This is an ancient Iron Age hill fort. A hill fort is a type of fortress built on a hill, used for protection long ago.
Bronwen's Mysterious Change
One of the campers, Bronwen (or Bron), starts to feel a strong connection to the place. She begins to know things about the hill fort that she shouldn't. Her personality also starts to change. Bron, who is usually quiet and kind, becomes argumentative and withdrawn.
Bron is scared by these changes in herself. Her friend Margery thinks that Bron might be influenced by the spirit of an Iron Age woman. This adds a spooky mystery to their adventure.
The Escaped Dog
Meanwhile, an Alsatian dog escapes. This dog used to be part of the army. He was on his way to be retrained because he was partly deaf. The dog is wearing a muzzle, so he can't hunt for food. He becomes very hungry.
The dog starts to lurk around the children's camp. Bron, who usually loves animals, reacts with fear. She even calls the dog a wolf. But as she sees how sad and lonely the dog is, her true kind self returns. She decides to befriend him.
Meet the Characters
This story features a group of interesting characters, both young and old.
The Campers
- Peter Furness: A 15-year-old boy. He is smart and a natural leader, but can sometimes be a bit sarcastic.
- Margery Furness: Peter's younger sister. She is kind-hearted and often helps everyone get along.
- Robin Furness: Their 10-year-old brother. He is very interested in fossils.
- Anne Turner: Their cousin, visiting from Bristol. She is a good cook but is afraid of dogs and worms.
- Bronwen Owen (Bron): Margery's friend. She is an only child, usually shy but sensible. Bron loves animals.
- Joe Catlin: Peter's friend. He is a 15-year-old farmer's son. Joe is very capable and an experienced camper.
The Adults
- Dr Furness: Peter, Margery, and Robin's father. He is a busy doctor.
- Mrs Furness: Their mother. She breeds Dalmatian dogs.
- Mr Owen: Bron's father. His job means his family moves often.
- Mrs Owen: Bron's mother. She is very protective of Bron.
- Mr Catlin: Joe's father, a farmer.
- Arthur and Edward: Two farming brothers. They let the children camp on their land and provide them with milk and water.
- Mrs Pritchard: A shopkeeper and postmistress in the village of Clee St. Margaret. The children buy their supplies from her.
- Corporal Smythe: From the RAVC (Royal Army Veterinary Corps). He is the Alsatian dog's handler.
- Mr Kirby: From the National Canine Defence League.
The Animals
- Lucy: Margery's Dalmatian dog. She has puppies during the story.
- Spotted Dick: The smallest of Lucy's puppies.
- Griff: The Alsatian dog. Bron gives him this name. He is a former army dog.
The Story's Setting
The novel mostly takes place in a very detailed location: Nordy Bank on Brown Clee Hill in Shropshire. The book also describes the beautiful countryside around it. This includes the Shropshire Hills, the village of Clee St. Margaret, and the nearby town of Ludlow.
The ancient hill fort at Nordy Bank was built to protect people from enemies or even wolves. The book explains the differences between Roman, Iron Age, and Stone Age camps that might have been on the site.
The story also connects to a poem called "The Welsh Marches" by A. E. Housman. Margery and Bron quote from this poem while looking at the landscape. The poem talks about the long history of battles in the area. The novel shows how this "war that sleeps" is still part of the land itself.
Bron also reads a book called Warrior Scarlet by Rosemary Sutcliff while camping. This book is about a boy in Bronze Age Britain who must kill a wolf as a test to become a man. When the army dog first appears, Bron is reading aloud about a wolf attacking sheep. This adds to the tension in the story.
Why Nordy Bank is Important
Many people consider Nordy Bank to be Sheena Porter's best book. It is praised for its wonderful descriptions of camping life. The book captures the feeling of adventure and good friendship among the children.
However, the novel is also about how people grow and discover themselves. It shows how finding out who you are can happen at the same time as learning about society. The story teaches this lesson in an exciting and dramatic way. The inner journey of the characters and the outer adventure are closely linked.
As mentioned, Sheena Porter and Nordy Bank won the annual Carnegie Medal in 1964. This award is given by the Library Association to the best children's book written by a British author that year.
