In "The Wee Free Men" by Terry Pratchett, readers are introduced to Tiffany Aching, a young girl with dreams of becoming a witch. When her brother is kidnapped by the evil Fairy Queen, Tiffany must embark on a daring adventure armed with only a frying pan, her common sense, and the help of the Nac Mac Feegles, a group of tiny but fierce blue men. The story is filled with magic, humor, and action as Tiffany faces off against the Fairy Queen and other dangers of the fairy world, showcasing themes of bravery, wit, and the power of storytelling.

The book is praised for its engaging plot, well-developed characters like Tiffany Aching and the Nac Mac Feegles, and the unique blend of humor and wisdom that Terry Pratchett is known for. With elements of fantasy, adventure, and coming-of-age themes, "The Wee Free Men" offers a delightful and heartwarming tale that appeals to both children and adults alike.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with Tiffany Aching portrayed as a strong and clever young girl, supported by the humorous and loyal Nac Mac Feegle while also drawing wisdom from figures like Granny Aching.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by clever humor, engaging dialogue, and accessible prose that appeals to a wide audience, making it suitable for younger readers while still entertaining for adults.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around Tiffany Aching, a young girl who seeks to rescue her younger brother, Wentworth, after he is kidnapped by the Fairy Queen. Along the way, she encounters fantastical elements and learns about her potential as a witch.

Setting:

The setting blends rural landscapes in the Chalk region of Discworld with enchanting elements of fairy tales and the darker aspects of Fairyland.

Pacing:

The pacing balances moments of reflection with engaging action, ensuring a quick and enjoyable read.

The exploring of the universe was being done with a couple of twigs tied together with string, a stone with a hole in it, an egg, one of Miss Tick’s stockings (which also had a hole in it), a pin, a p...

Notes:

Tiffany Aching is a nine-year-old girl who wants to become a witch.

The story takes place on Discworld's Chalk, inspired by Terry Pratchett's home in Wiltshire.

Mistress Weatherwax says witchcraft is more about understanding yourself than just magic.

The Wee Free Men are actually tiny six-inch-tall blue Scottish warriors who love to fight and drink.

Tiffany uses her brother Wentworth as bait to catch a river monster called Jenny Greenteeth.

The book explores themes of responsibility and personal growth, as Tiffany learns to be a witch.

Granny Aching is a significant figure in the story, influencing Tiffany's journey as a witch despite being dead.

The Nac Mac Feegle are known for their Glaswegian dialect, which can be challenging to read but adds to the humor.

The Fairy Queen represents the darker aspects of fairy tales, contrasting Tiffany's bravery.

The novel has a different tone than other Discworld books, focusing more on a coming-of-age story.

The series follows Tiffany as she grows into a powerful witch across five books.

From The Publisher:

Bulletin Blue Ribbon (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books)

School Library Journal Best Book

New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age

ALA Notable Children's Book

ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults

Kirkus Reviews Editors' Choice

Horn Book Fanfare

Book Sense Pick

New York Public Library's "One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing"

The first in a series of Discworld novels starring the young witch Tiffany Aching.

A nightmarish danger threatens from the other side of reality. . . .

Armed with only a frying pan and her common sense, young witch-to-be Tiffany Aching must defend her home against the monsters of Fairyland. Luckily she has some very unusual help: the local Nac Mac Feegle-aka the Wee Free Men-a clan of fierce, sheep-stealing, sword-wielding, six-inch-high blue men.

Together they must face headless horsemen, ferocious grimhounds, terrifying dreams come true, and ultimately the sinister Queen of the Elves herself. . . .

Ratings (68)

Incredible (22)
Loved It (27)
Liked It (14)
It Was OK (4)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (131):

Read It (69)
Want To Read (34)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (27)

1 comment(s)

czanel840

Loved It

4 months

We started to read this to the girls figuring that a YA title would be the perfect place to introduce them to Pratchett. When I read ahead, though, I decided that the horrors of fairyland -- dreams within dreams that haunt you and you can't be sure you've awoken from -- are not for our kids who are sometimes already nervous at night. So we're now reading them Mort which, being about Death and not fairies, is far less scary. 8^) For me, though, it was very enjoyable. I finished reading it just a few days before we lost Sir Terry. I'm looking forward to reading the other two Tiffany Aching books.

What can you read after
The Wee Free Men?

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The Wee Free Men

Terry Pratchett

Book 30 in the series:Discworld