Pauline Francis

The author is a British writer with a passion for historical fiction, particularly focusing on the 16th century. Their published works include "Drake’s Drummer Boy" (1998), which follows a young boy's adventures with Sir Francis Drake, and "Sam Stars at Shakespeare’s Globe" (2006), centered around William Shakespeare's world. Transitioning to older audiences, they later wrote "Raven Queen," "A World Away," and "Traitor’s Kiss," exploring pivotal moments in history through the eyes of young protagonists facing difficult choices.

Before becoming a full-time writer a decade ago, the author worked as a teacher, librarian, and translator in Africa. Their writing process involves early morning sessions in coffee shops, followed by revisions and research at home. Drawing from a deep fascination with the past, their stories often examine themes of transformation, resilience, and historical turning points.

Residing in Hertfordshire near London and Cambridge, the author enjoys theater, cinema, and observing people. Married with two adult children, they continue to craft narratives that bring history to life for readers of all ages.
Fast Track Classics Books
# Title Year
1 Black Beauty 2001
2 Frankenstein 2001
3 The Hound of the Baskervilles 2002
4 Oliver Twist 2003
5 Journey to the Center of the Earth 2003
6 White Fang 2003
7 The Day of the Triffids 2003
8 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea 2004
9 The Time Machine 2004
10 The Midwich Cuckoos 2004
11 A Christmas Carol 2004
12 The Lost World 2004
13 The Mark of Zorro 2006
14 Robinson Crusoe 2006
15 Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde 2007
16 Huckleberry Finn 2007
17 The Secret Garden 2008
18 Treasure Island 2008
19 The Wizard Of Oz 2008
20 Gulliver's Travels 2008
21 The Count Of Monte Cristo 2008
22 David Copperfield 2009
23 The Turn of the Screw 2009
24 Jane Eyre 2010
25 A Tale of Two Cities 2011
26 The Iliad 2014
27 Les Miserables 2015
28 The Call of the Wild 2017
29 Wuthering Heights 2017
30 Tess of the D'Urbervilles 2017
31 Gone with the Wind 2018
32 Far from the Madding Crowd 2018
Standalone Novels
# Title Year
1 Raven Queen 2000
2 A World Away 2008
3 Traitor's Kiss 2011
Children's Books
# Title Year
1 Sam Stars at Shakespeare's Globe 2006
2 London's Burning 2007
3 The Little Giant 2019