Scottish Wars of Independence, 1297. Scottish resistance has been crushed, and King Edward, Hammer of the Scots, now rules the North. Doesn’t he?

At Chester Castle, young apprentice armourer Harry has no idea just how much his life is going to change from the moment he is told to guard an imprisoned Scottish nobleman: the rebel Andrew de Moray. The boy’s momentary carelessness gives the prisoner all he needs: an opportunity to escape. Harry finds himself kidnapped, and on his way to Scotland.

Soon, he is caught up in the Northern Rising with its skirmishes and stealth attacks. But these are nothing to the storm of questions in Harry’s mind: Whose cause is right? Why has his new master joined forces with the outlaw William Wallace? Can his new friend Euphemia be trusted?

As arrows fly and swords clash at the battle of Stirling Bridge, Harry must choose: Whose side is he on?

To War With Wallace is an historical adventure full of great characters, period details and a page-turning plot.DAVID BARKER, Author

A thrilling historical adventureLINDSAY LITTLESON

This tale would be great for young learners to explore in the classroom as part of a wider Scottish Wars of Independence topic as it gives a real insight into that historic time from a young perspective!Mrs_c_teach, Primary teacher, Instagram

I really enjoyed this book, it's a great wee novel that would be fab for a topic on The Scottish Wars of Independence. It has a handy map, glossary, timeline and information on who's who, you can tell Barbara is a teacher! I would recommend this book for P4 and upwards.Mrs_w00d, Primary teacher, Instagram

BARBARA HENDERSON is an Inverness-based children’s writer and Drama teacher. Her energetic school visits take her across the length and breadth of Scotland, and sometimes beyond. As a teacher, she loves to get young people on their feet as they respond to stories. ‘Writing is like magic,’ she says. ‘I see something in my imagination, and I try to capture it by writing it down – nothing more than black marks on white paper. Much later, young people see these black marks on white paper and suddenly they see something too, feel something of their own. I cannot think of anything more special than that.’ Scottish by Inclination is Barbara’s first foray into adult non-fiction. She shares her home with her teenage son, her long-suffering husband and a scruffy Schnauzer called Merry.