Katy Chalk  has long wanted  to overcome  the impression  some  have that history  is boring, irrelevant or difficult to learn about. Rudyard Kipling once said, “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten” and Katy Chalk’s debut novel takes him at his word.

The History Sphere blends fantasy fiction with historical fact and is geared towards engaging school children in Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 (ages 10-14) to learn about historical events through the adventures. Bringing historical events to life thought the adventures of Olivia and her little dog Archie we are taken on journeys to The Battle of Marathon in 490BC, Battle of Britain Day in 1940, The Gunpowder Plot in 1605, Alfred the Great’s Battle of Ethandune (Edington) in 878AD  and  the Great  Fire  of London  in 1666.  Katy  makes  you  feel like you’re  right  there experiencing  those events in person whilst being swept away by the fantasy world Olivia and Archie return to after each re-enactment.

Whether the book is used as a text in class in support of the National Curriculum teaching of history, for children to enjoy reading themselves, or for parents and children to enjoy and learn together, The History Sphere cleverly imparts knowledge through captivating  and adrenaline- fuelled stories.

About The History Sphere

In the Otherworld  of Theia, the History Sphere, which is comprised of Earth’s  history,  has  been  smashed  by  Warlock  Brogan  in  an  act  of revenge. He has stolen five discs and his aim is to change world history and cause chaos in the human world. The History Keeper, a wizard called Hector, must seek the help of Olivia, an eleven year old human girl in order to retrieve the discs and repair the History Sphere. Olivia, her little dog Archie and her companions, a dwarf, an elf and a pyskie, must travel back in time to various pivotal world events in order to recover the discs. They must defeat all kinds of monsters and demons, sent by Brogan to prevent them from securing their objective. Can Olivia and her unusual friends work together to find the love, friendship and courage they need in order to overcome adversity, recapture the discs, complete the Sphere and allow earth history to remain unchanged? It will be a huge challenge but one that only Olivia can accept.

About Katy Chalk

Katy worked in the NHS for over 30 years, as a Nurse and latterly as a Medical Secretary within general practice. In 1997 she left her profession to attend Kent University as a mature student. She gained a degree followed by a research masters in Classical Archaeology and Comparative Literary Studies. Katy was Maidstone Museum’s Education Officer specialising in Greek archives and she now runs workshops in schools specific to KS2 and KS3 learning of History in line with the National Curriculum. Katy’s debut novel fulfils her dream of sharing her passion for history in an imaginative and engaging way with children and those that teach and care for them. She is married  to Peter, has a son and daughter  and they live in Maidstone,  Kent. Katy has three grandchildren and the book was initially written for her eldest, Olivia, the heroine of the story.