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The Wee Free Men Paperback – Sept. 1 2015
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ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults * ALA Notable Children's Book * Horn Book Fanfare Book * Kirkus Reviews Editor’s Choice * SLJ Best Book of the Year* Locus Award winner
The first Discworld adventure starring young witch Tiffany Aching is a breathtaking tale of heroism and a sidesplitting introduction to the uproariouslyfunny six-inch-high Wee Free Men, from fantasy legend and bestselling author Sir Terry Pratchett.
“Exuberant and irresistible.” —The Washington Post
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....
The Discworld novels can be read in any order, but The Wee Free Men is the first book in the fabulous and funny Tiffany Aching series, which is comprised of:
- The Wee Free Men
- A Hat Full of Sky
- Wintersmith
- I Shall Wear Midnight
- The Shepherd’s Crown
Tiffany’s mentors, Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg, star in the novels Equal Rites, Wyrd Sisters, Witches Abroad, Lords and Ladies, Maskerade, and Carpe Jugulum.
And don’t miss Terry Pratchett’s hilarious and wise Discworld novel The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, winner of the Carnegie Medal!
- Print length352 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherClarion Books
- Publication dateSept. 1 2015
- Reading age13 - 17 years
- Dimensions13.49 x 2.01 x 20.32 cm
- ISBN-100062435264
- ISBN-13978-0062435262
- Lexile measure680L
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Review
“With its wry wit and acerbic collision of the mystical with the mundane, the latest book in Pratchett’s internationally popular Discworld, is good solid storytelling done in a style that reads like Celtic mythology fused with the girl power of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” with dialogue by Robert Burns.” — New York Times Book Review
“Exuberant and irresistible. Pratchett’s tale recalls a whole variety of texts in which underestimated heroines confront the forces of darkness―Meg Murry of A Wrinkle in Time, Coraline of Neil Gaiman’s recent novel, Lyra Belacqua of The Golden Compass, Miss Bianca of The Rescuers, even Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” — Washington Post
“A smart retelling [that] delves into weighty issues but keeps its sense of dark humor.” — USA Today
“Wonderful language, genuinely scary explorations, and a young girl whose growing up is believable and exciting.” — Chicago Tribune
“An enthralling and rewarding read.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Set in a chillingly unrecognizable ‘fairyland,’ this ingenious melange of fantasy, action, humor, and sly bits of social commentary contains complex underlying themes on the nature of love, reality, and dreams. The Carnegie Medal-winner’s fans will not be disappointed.” — Kirkus Reviews(starred review)
“Perfect for anyone who enjoys The Princess Bride and the works of Douglas Adams. A wonderfully funny fantasy for all ages.” — KLIATT (starred review)
A glorious read.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
From the Back Cover
There's trouble on the Aching farm: monsters in the river, headless horsemen in the lane—and Tiffany Aching's little brother has been stolen by the Queen of Fairies. Getting him back will require all of Tiffany's strength and determination (as well as a sturdy skillet) and the help of the rowdy clan of fightin', stealin', tiny blue-skinned pictsies known as the Wee Free Men!
About the Author
Terry Pratchett (1948–2015) is the acclaimed creator of the globally revered Discworld series. In all, he authored more than fifty bestselling books, which have sold more than one hundred million copies worldwide. His novels have been widely adapted for stage and screen, and he was the winner of multiple prizes, including the Carnegie Medal. He was awarded a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to literature in 2009, although he always wryly maintained that his greatest service to literature was to avoid writing any.
Product details
- Publisher : Clarion Books
- Publication date : Sept. 1 2015
- Edition : Reprint
- Language : English
- Print length : 352 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0062435264
- ISBN-13 : 978-0062435262
- Item weight : 1.05 kg
- Reading age : 13 - 17 years
- Dimensions : 13.49 x 2.01 x 20.32 cm
- Book 29 of 40 : Discworld
- Lexile measure : 680L
- 鶹 Rank: #75,002 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
Terry Pratchett sold his first story when he was fifteen, which earned him enough money to buy a second-hand typewriter. His first novel, a humorous fantasy entitled The Carpet People, appeared in 1971 from the publisher Colin Smythe. Terry worked for many years as a journalist and press officer, writing in his spare time and publishing a number of novels, including his first Discworld novel, The Color of Magic, in 1983. In 1987 he turned to writing full time, and has not looked back since. To date there are a total of 36 books in the Discworld series, of which four (so far) are written for children. The first of these children's books, The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, won the Carnegie Medal. A non-Discworld book, Good Omens, his 1990 collaboration with Neil Gaiman, has been a longtime bestseller, and was reissued in hardcover by William Morrow in early 2006 (it is also available as a mass market paperback (Harper Torch, 2006) and trade paperback (Harper Paperbacks, 2006). Terry's latest book, Nation, a non-Discworld standalone YA novel was published in October of 2008 and was an instant New York Times and London Times bestseller. Regarded as one of the most significant contemporary English-language satirists, Pratchett has won numerous literary awards, was named an Officer of the British Empire “for services to literature” in 1998, and has received four honorary doctorates from the Universities of Warwick, Portsmouth, Bath, and Bristol. His acclaimed novels have sold more than 55 million copies (give or take a few million) and have been translated into 36 languages. Terry Pratchett lived in England with his family, and spent too much time at his word processor. Some of Terry's accolades include: The Carnegie Medal, Locus Awards, the Mythopoetic Award, ALA Notable Books for Children, ALA Best Books for Young Adults, Book Sense 76 Pick, Prometheus Award and the British Fantasy Award.
Laura was born in Essex in 1988 and now lives in London.
Laura's newest book, RAINBOW GREY, a book packed full of weather magic and cute flying cloud-cats was nominated for the Sainsbury's Children's Book Awards 2021.
The Amelia Fang series was Laura's first fiction series as author and illustrator, featuring a young vampire and her friends. Amelia Fang has been published in over 20 languages. Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball was Waterstones Book of the month for October 2017 and won the Leeds Book Award for the 7-9 category.
Laura is also the creator of the Evil Emperor Penguin comic which appears in The Phoenix comic. There are four books in the Evil Emperor Penguin graphic novel series published by DFB. Book Two Evil Emperor Penguin Strikes Back won the Islington Schools Book Awards 2018.
Laura's picture book I Don't Want Curly Hair has been published in over ten languages and is the first of a series of future I Don't Want... books. Other books in the series include I Don't Want to be Small and I Don't Want to be Quiet!
Laura has illustrated a range of book covers such as Terry Pratchett’s Tiffany Aching series, The Amazing Maurice, Dodger and Nation. She also illustrated the relaunch of Enid Blyton’s The Famous Five series, and Cornelia Funke's Dragon Rider series.
Laura has worked with authors such as Sibeal Pounder, Cerrie Burnell, David Solomons, Caryl Hart and Peter Bently.
Customer reviews
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Customers say
Customers find the content entertaining and a good story for either adults or younger readers. They also appreciate the humor, saying the false Scots accent makes it very funny to read outloud.
AI Generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book entertaining, a really good story for either adults or younger readers. They say the author is amazing and the story is deeply satisfying on so many levels. Readers also say the product is fine and Pratchett never disappoints.
"Loved this book. A false Scots accent makes it very funny to read outloud. Kids and adults can really enjoy themselves with this book." Read more
"...A deeply satisfying story on so many levels; the history of the Aching family, the Wold and the society that has grown on it...." Read more
"...to about five people come Christmastime, as I thought it was such an excellent and universally appealing book...." Read more
"...It always makes me laugh. Pratchett pulls you right into the story and I just lose myself in his world." Read more
Customers find the humor in the book great and very funny to read outloud. They also say the false Scots accent doesn't affect the readability.
"...Some parts are hilarious, some were surprisingly touching, and overall, it just reminded me how much reading a good book can be an experience so..." Read more
"...The Wee Free Men provide a great deal of comedic relief, and for this reason more than any other this is my go-to book if I've had a bad week...." Read more
"...Because of this, the book came with a huge dent through it. Doesn't affect the readability, but I just kind of expect a brand new book to look......" Read more
"Loved this book. A false Scots accent makes it very funny to read outloud. Kids and adults can really enjoy themselves with this book." Read more
Reviews with images

Shipped in thin cardboard, not corrugated
Top reviews from Canada
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- Reviewed in Canada on May 20, 2024Verified PurchaseThe beginning of the Tiffany Aching series and our introduction to the Wee Free Men. A deeply satisfying story on so many levels; the history of the Aching family, the Wold and the society that has grown on it. A sketch of witchcraft and its realities - and rules. This book formed the foundation on which Terry constructed so many story arcs, set so many levels and explored so many byways of the mind.
Strongly recommended.
- Reviewed in Canada on June 5, 2021Verified PurchaseTerry Pratchett's Discworld book. My second book by that author. A story about a teenage witch, this one is more for children or teenagers. Anyway, it was quite instructive. I liked it.
- Reviewed in Canada on August 19, 2015Verified PurchaseI've read this book previously. This time I bought it to read to my kids, and they really enjoy it.
- Reviewed in Canada on October 3, 2019Verified PurchaseI ended up gifting this book to about five people come Christmastime, as I thought it was such an excellent and universally appealing book. Some parts are hilarious, some were surprisingly touching, and overall, it just reminded me how much reading a good book can be an experience so great you just want to share it with everyone you know.
- Reviewed in Canada on October 14, 2023Verified PurchaseHe does it again!
- Reviewed in Canada on November 7, 2012Verified PurchaseThis is the first Pratchett book I ever read, and I enjoyed it so much that I proceeded to read all of his other Discworld books. Tiffany is a character that I could relate to very well when I was in my teens, and I have enjoyed growing up with her. The Wee Free Men provide a great deal of comedic relief, and for this reason more than any other this is my go-to book if I've had a bad week. It always makes me laugh. Pratchett pulls you right into the story and I just lose myself in his world.
- Reviewed in Canada on November 21, 2018Verified PurchaseBought this to replace the worn out 1st edition paperback version. I loved it when it first came out and still laugh out loud when I reread this book. It's going to My daughter (like the rest of the series I bought for her) eventually but I'll need to read and enjoy it a few more times
- Reviewed in Canada on September 30, 2021Verified PurchaseIt is a good book. There are words in it. Also tiny blue dudes and maybe a lighthouse at some point.
Top reviews from other countries
- SoniReviewed in Japan on February 20, 2006
4.0 out of 5 stars The wee first book
Verified PurchaseThe Wee Free Men are weird. But a good, funny kind of weird wee men. I liked the introduction of them very much and I bet you will too.
Tifanny is also a very nice and thoughtful girl. Prachett plays the book very well. There are some amazing parts and he introduces some nice thoughts about life. Very useful the hints are, mark you!
I am not going to forget Granny Aching, nor Tifanny nor the Wee Free Men for a long time.
Highly reccomended!
Oh! And if you are thinking this book is for children, it is not (at least not only). I doubt it, myself.
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Petra F.Reviewed in Germany on June 8, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Toll
Verified PurchaseNettes Buch
- Sarah TReviewed in the United States on March 19, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars This was my introduction to Discworld, and I loved it!
Verified PurchaseThis was my first Terry Pratchett book ever, thus my introduction to Discworld. I’ve wanted to read the series, but with 41 books I wasn’t sure I even wanted to attempt it. Wee Free Men is aimed at young adults with the female protagonist just a child (around 9 years old), and is the first book in the Tiffany Aching series, so it was a great place to start.
I’ve got to say, this was one of the best books I have read in a long time. The story is completely charming in itself, a young girl meets some little men with red hair, blue tattoos, wearing kilts, about 6 inches tall called Nac Mac Feegle or the Wee Free Men, and together they have to rescue her young brother. The characters are well developed and almost always entertaining and hilarious – for example her younger brother constantly asks for “sweeties”, the Wee Free Men speak in Scottish accents and say things like “Ah, crivens” and are generally good natured despite being thieves. The best part for me, however, were all the surprising references to other books and pop culture which I did not expect but always put a smile on my face. For example, Pratchett parodies Lord of the Rings with “See their swords? They glow blue in the presence of lawyers” and Braveheart with “They can tak’ oour lives but they canna tak’ our troousers!” There’s possibly even a Bushism from the early 2000s (this book was published in 2003, so would make sense).
The book was a very easy, very entertaining read. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the Tiffany Aching miniseries as well as perhaps starting in on the rest of the larger Discworld universe.
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Silvia B.Reviewed in Spain on November 12, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantasía con puntos muy cómicos
Verified PurchaseMuy imaginativa y cómica. De lectura fácil. Fantasía pura