Harald the Ruthless by Andrea Hopkins

A story of an actual historical figure told as a saga.
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Resource: picture book
Time: 1015-1066
Place: Scandinavia

Summary:
Harald the Ruthless was a real Viking and king of Norway.  This book is the retelling of a saga written by Snorri Sturlson.  What is a saga?  There is a wonderful explanation at the beginning of this book. It is a tale told at a distance from the action, more story than absolute fact. This saga follows Harald from childhood to death on the battlefield, detailing his many clever exploits and bloody battles. Illustrated in black, white and red by Leo Duranona.  There are many maps and pages of historical notes in the back of this book.

Potentially Objectionable Content:
There is a lot of graphically depicted violence.  Some detailed in the prose as well as drawings of bloody battles, a beheading, dead bodies and arrow through the throat.

Reading Level: grade 5 - 9
Lexile Measure: not available
Guided Reading Level: not available


Format Links
Book

Additional Resources:

Find this book and other suggestions from this time period on the History Magpie Timeline.

Viking by Susan M. Margeson

The Vikings were more than conquerors.
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Resource: non-fiction book
Time: 700 - 1000
Place: Scandinavia

Summary:
Vikings are often romanticized as crazy hat wearing, pillaging pirates.  This is not the case.  Viking is a DK Eyewitness Book.  I really like this series of books.  It is a wonderfully curated collection of details about every aspect of Viking life.  Vikings were farmers, tradesmen and explorers.  They had one of the first democratic-ish systems of government with the things (that is what they were called, things).  They were excellent craftsmen and worshiped a unique set of gods before converting to Christianity.  Each page in this book has a selection of photos of primary source and reproduction objects.  Often there is also a photo of a person dressed per the topic of the page.  There is a paragraph addressing the topic generally as well as detailed captions for each photo.  In the back of the book there are several pages of general information, a page on how to find out more with references to museums, places to visit and websites, and a glossary.  This book has full color photographs taken by Peter Anderson.

Potentially Objectionable Content:
The Vikings did raid and pillage.  There is some mention of some of the violent acts that they perpetrated.

Reading Level: grade 4 - 6
Lexile Measure: not available
Guided Reading Level: not available


Format Links
Book

Additional Resources:

Find this book and other suggestions from this time period on the History Magpie Timeline.

The Vikings by History Teachers

Here come the Vikings!



Resource: YouTube video
Running Time: 3:19 minutes

Time: 793
Place: Scandinavia

Summary:
To the tune "Personal Jesus" by Depeche Mode this songs outlines the actions of the Vikings from 793 onward, first pillaging then settling the European coasts and islands down to the Mediterranean Sea.

Potentially Objectionable Content:
None

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The Secret of the Viking Sword by Nova

The secret of how the superior Viking Ulfberht sword was manufactured.
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Resource: documentary
Running Time: 53 minutes
Rating: Not Rated

Time: AD 800 - 1000
Place: Scandinavia

Summary:
The Viking sword with the world Ulfberht engraved onto was truly a piece of superior technology for its time.  A recent scientific find unlocks the secret as to why.  This video documents a modern blacksmith, using historic methods recreating an Ulfberht. It also touches on the Viking warrior culture, religion and trade routes.  There is lots of science in this historical documentary.

Potentially Objectionable Content:
Violence:  There are a couple of human skulls with bits hacked off by a sword.

Format Links:
DVD 

Related Teaching Resources: