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Fire, Bed, and Bone

by Henrietta Branford

3.69 · rating details · 45 ratings · 12 reviews

"Even readers with little knowledge of (or interest in) British feudal systems and peasant revolts may find themselves engrossed in this unique fictional tale set in 1381 and told from a hunting dog's point of view." — PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (starred review)

A Smarties Book Prize Bronze Award Winner

A VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES Honor Book

A KLIATT Editors' Choice

"Branford's subtle,...more

Paperback, 128 pages

Published September 12th 2006 by Candlewick Press

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Sep 26, 2011

Shazza Maddog rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The dog is the narrator of this novella. The time is the late 1300's, the land is England, and the peasants are restless with the constant taxation of what little income they eke out as serfs under their lords' rule. The dog has no name, other than, "the old dog", which she is referred to throughout the story. She is a hunting dog, one who works hard for her kind master, Rufus, and his wife, Comfort.

The dog is ready to birth puppies and hides them in the barn; three she names...moreThe dog is the narrator of this novella. The time is the late 1300's, the land is England, and the peasants are restless with the constant taxation of what little income they eke out as serfs under their lords' rule. The dog has no name, other than, "the old dog", which she is referred to throughout the story. She is a hunting dog, one who works hard for her kind master, Rufus, and his wife, Comfort.

The dog is ready to birth puppies and hides them in the barn; three she names Fleabane, Squill and Parsnip. When she is ready, she returns with them to the family home. We find out Rufus is older though we never find out how old - the dog witnesses Rufus telling Comfort the story of his life and how they met and we find out Rufus is at least twice Comfort's age. For that, they have two boys and a girl, and are raising them best they can.

Rufus and Comfort are unhappy in their lot, though, and are listening to the speeches of John Ball and spreading word of rebellion. Because of that, they are taken away, leaving their children behind. The dog rescues the children by going to a neighbor's house, leading Ede back to Will, Wat and Alice, so she will take them in. The dog returns to Rufus' plot of land only to find two of her puppies are dead; killed and eaten by a wild cat, leaving behind only Fleabane. The dog takes him and runs into the woods, where she hides out, raising Fleabane to become a hunter like herself. Still, she cannot resist returning to the little village, and spying on Rufus and Comfort, who are chained and locked in a stable with another couple. The dog finds out another couple has moved into her home when she returns one night, seeing lights within the house, only to be captured by a man who beats her and takes Fleabane from her to give to his father, the miller, and one of the crueler men in town.

Soldiers eventually come, taking Rufus, Comfort and the woman (her husband died in captivity) to be tried and hanged. The dog follows them and outlaws attack, killing two of the soldiers (though the third lives at the insistence of Rufus, being a young man and "a good sort"). Rufus, Comfort and the dog, and the soldier, John, remain with the outlaws until word comes that the rebels are pardoned and can return home. Of course, Rufus and Comfort find their house has been taken and move in with Ede, who has been starving herself to take care of the children. Everything is fine for a little space of time, then Rufus and Comfort are again taken by soldiers and marched away, with their children, and the dog follows. What awaits them destroys the human family and sends the dog back into the woods. She returns to collect Fleabane, along with the help of a large black cur, and the three of them live as ferals for a while but the dog is not wild, and returns eventually to her human family, with Fleabane having gone to another family.

The dog's return shows that little has changed; those with a modicum of power still stomp those who don't; and Wat and Will have been placed in servitude to the miller. There is a lovely exchange regarding the miller, the boys, the dog and the black cur, which ties the story up nicely.

This is a good children's book and I enjoyed it very much, particularly in line with the historical aspect, as well as the dog's point of view. I would recommend it for children between eight and ten years old, for them to get at least an idea of what happened in the Middle Ages and use this story as a springboard to exploring history in general. Death and birth is mentioned casually in the story, though the horrors that accompany both are lessened, probably due to the dog's point of view.(less)

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Sep 05, 2011

CynthiaA rated it

Shelves: for-kids-of-all-ages

This was lent to me by a good friend who is, like me, a literacy coach at her school. She insisted I must read it. I'm so glad she did. This simple (but not simplistic) story is told from the dog's point of view, yet it is historical fiction from 14th century England. It is written for a youth audience, so it doesn't delve into the 'why's' of history, only the what-was-happening info about "serfs" and how their work wasn't paid or valued. Still, its the dog's relationship with his...more

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Nov 13, 2010

Beautiful Survivor rated it

Recommends it for: Anyone who loves dogs.

I checked this book out in the library simply for the fact that I'm a big animal lover. I also love the meadevil time period so this book interested me.
And this book had me HOOKED! The dog who narrated this book was a perfect character in my opinion and the feel was realistic. I felt angry and sad and happy as I read through the emotions in the book.
I reccomend this book a lot.
I wondered about this book and thought about the animals and people in the time period really serio...more

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Sep 25, 2010

Debbie (Readerbuzz) Nance rated it

Shelves: 1001, animals, adventure, children

Who would have thought that a children's book about a dog living in England in 1381 would have such a realistic feel? The dog experiences losing her master and mistress, captured and imprisoned by men who don't like the peasants revolting. The dog experiences losing her puppies. The dog experiences the difficulties of trying to find food in lean times. An unexpectedly stark look at life during these times. So stark that I would caution parents of sensitive children.

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Dec 13, 2011

Jessica rated it

Shelves: 5th-6th-grade, animals, chapter-book, conflict, historical-fiction

This book was like none I've ever read. It is told from a dog's point of view, and surprisingly it was SO realistic. It's such a good book, and keeps you interested all the way until the very end. This would be a great book to use with older students when discussing things that have happened in Englad.

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Mar 18, 2010

Claire rated it

Recommends it for: Middle school

Shelves: historical-fiction, summer-reading, 10-to-12-year-old-readers, a-7th-and-8th-grade-middle-school-t

Medieval tale, set in 1381- told from the point of view of a dog who travels from household to household sharing with us the drama of the families he stays with.

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Nov 03, 2009

Sylvia rated it

Shelves: animals, grade-4, grade-5, historical

Life in the middle ages during a peasant uprising in England. Everything is seen through the eyes of a nameless dog. Very good story!

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Nov 24, 2011

Niek rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: jeugd

Beetje saai en voorspelbaar... Al ben ik misschien wat bevooroordeeld, aangezien ik niet zo van dierenverhalen hou.

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Jan 16, 2012

Leanne rated it

Shelves: ya-historical-fiction, medieval-setting

Great look into the peasant uprising during the Middle Ages told from the view point of a dog.

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Jun 27, 2010

Ralph marked it as to-read

Loris heard about this at a discussion of dog books, said it's one of the best.

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Apr 21, 2009

Kaethe rated it

YA excellent writing! 1381 seen and smelled through a dog's perspective!

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Aug 13, 2011

Roxanne rated it

Shelves: historical-fiction

A dog tells the story of life in Feudal times.

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Feb 10, 2012

Lucie marked it as to-read

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Feb 07, 2012

♥♪♫☼☺~Natalie Cullom is currently reading it

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Jan 13, 2012

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Jan 11, 2012

Minas rated it

· review of another edition

Dec 14, 2011

Linda rated it

Shelves: read-2011

Nov 11, 2011

Kayli marked it as to-read

Nov 02, 2011

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About Henrietta Branford

Henrietta Branford was a gifted novelist for young people. During her short career she won the Smarties Prize in 1994 for Dimanche Diller (Harper Collins) and the Guardian Fiction Prize in 1998 for Fire, Bed and Bone (Walker Books); she was twice shortlisted for the Guardian Fiction Prize, in 1994 and 1997. Her progress and development as a writer was watched with interest by publishers, critics a...more

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