By Patricia Forde (author) Part of the The Wordsmith Series series
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Speculative fiction with a powerful political premise.
Lovereading Comment to follow.
The Times Book of the Week in September 2025
Celebrate 10 years of The Wordsmith with this anniversary edition of Laureate na nag Patricia Forde's classic novel - featuring a freshly imagined cover and an introduction from the Laureate herself.
How many words do you need to survive?
Letta loves her job as the Wordsmith's apprentice, giving out words to people that need them. It doesn't strike her as odd that the people of Ark are only allowed to use a few hundred words, and words like "love", "hope" and "freedom" are banned.
When her master disappears, Letta begins to understand that all is not well, and that the leaders of Ark want to destroy language forever. It is up to her to stop them silencing what is left of the human race. But she is only a young girl, and they are the leaders of the known world…
`The fantasy book of the year.' - Eoin Colfer, bestselling author of Artemis Fowl
`A novel that truly stands apart for its originality and relevance... a book about words, about language, about their power to civilise - and, in the wrong hands, to abuse and dehumanise. For a writer to deal with such themes it is the most basic of requirements that she herself should handle words in a manner which exploits their potential richness and resonance. Forde rises magnificently to the challenge' - The Irish Times `The Wordsmith is warm, original, thought-provoking but most of all a tremendous page-turner I hope this won't be the last we hear of Letta, a brave and spirited heroine' - School Library Association
`[A] gripping postapocalyptic thriller... it is a well-crafted page-turner, as well as a compelling commentary on censorship and the role of language, while also inviting discussion about what distinguishes humans from animals. For dystopian fiction aficionados, this well-paced entry offers plenty of food for thought.' - School Library Journal
It is a salutary story, a powerful story and a story that I highly recommend and thoroughly enjoyed. Patricia Forde is great new voice to look out for.' - Armadillo Children's Book Magazine
Patricia Forde lives in Galway, in the west of Ireland. She has published ve books for children, and written two plays, as well as several television drama series for children and teenagers. She has worked as a writer on both English and Irish language soap operas. In another life, she was a primary school teacher and the artistic director of Galway Arts Festival.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Deluxe Illustrated Slipcase Edition
The Times Book of the Week in September 2025 Celebrate 10 years of The Wordsmith with this anniversary edition of Laureate na nag Patricia Forde's classic novel - featuring a freshly imagined cover and an introduction from the Laureate herself. How many words do you need to survive?
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Wordsmith and determined it is suitable for children aged 11-12 years old
The Wordsmith features in the following genres: Fantasy / Magical, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Adventure Stories, Recommended Children's eBooks, Recommendations, Featured Books for 11+ readers
Paperback. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. Not Available.
The Wordsmith was written by Patricia Forde and published by Little Island Books
The Wordsmith has 285 pages
Yes it is part of The Wordsmith Series series
£8.09, reduced from £8.99. Not Available.
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