A life lived on the road and a heart that will always belong there Imagine being born into a world where communities are constantly on the move, but freedom is not a birthright. Rosie grew up travelling all over England and Ireland in her family's caravan. She had an idyllic childhood roaming fields and meadows with her younger brothers and sisters - free from the trappings of modern life, but restricted by the expectations of her culture. When Rosie was 14, the family's happiness was shattered when her grandfather - who was loved and respected by the whole community - was killed in a tragic accident. Suddenly everything in Rosie's life unravelled and she was forced to abandon the traditional way of life she loved. Her family fell apart in grief and Rosie tried her best to take care of her younger siblings and hold the family together. Eventually though life at home became unbearable and Rosie met Stevie, a traveller boy who promised her a different kind of life. Sadly though, Stevie was battling his own demons and Rosie's journey to freedom had only just begun...

The first monograph to be published on Gypsies in Britain using the perspective of social anthropology.

A gypsy girl who gets the opportunity to live in a palace as a princess finds she prefers her gypsy life after all.

Polly Anna never knew her father, and when her mother died, in poverty, when Polly Anna was just three, the workhouse was the only place for her. Helped by Jonty, a misfit and a cripple who became her best friend, she ran away with the fairground folk and travelled around as a horserider and acrobat - to Appleby Horse Fair, Nottingham Goose Fair and Hull Fair. Her friends became the circus people and the gypsies, and her home the caravans and tents of the travellers. Meanwhile, in a great house in the Yorkshire Wolds, old Mrs Winthrop had never given up hope of finding her daughter, who ran away with a handsome Romany and was never seen again. Young Richard Crossley from the neighbouring estate set out to find the missing daughter, and discovered the colourful world of the fairs and the gypsies. He also discovered Polly Anna - once the waif from the workhouse, and now a fully-fledged Romani Chi - the Romany girl.

'I felt like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and all the other fairy-tale princesses, and Pat was my Prince Charming.' Sam Skye Lee had often thought about getting married, but never imagined that her dress would be bright pink with flashing lights and weigh a staggering 20-stone. But then she didn't count on having a gypsy wedding... It's rare for a 'gorger', or non-traveller, to marry into the gypsy community. But after a shocking childhood tragedy, Sam found the comfort she needed from an unxpected source - Patrick and his family of travellers. Gypsy Bride is the heartwarming true story of how an ordinary girl finds herself discovering an extraordinary world. A place where 'grabbing' is a sign a boy fancies you, six-year-olds get spray tans, and christenings, weddings and funerals are jaw-droppingly flamboyant. This love story is more than boy meets girl. It's about a girl who falls in love with a whole race of people and their wonderful ways.

Rumer Godden's The Diddakoi won the 1972 Whitbread Children's Book Award. Everyone in Kizzy's town hates her because she's half-gypsy – a diddakoi. But Kizzy doesn't care. All she needs is Gran and her horse, Joe. But when Gran dies and their wagon burns down, Kizzy is all alone. No one wants to look after her and her beloved Joe might get sent to the knacker's yard. Can Kizzy survive in a hostile world – and save Joe?

Would she ever find somewhere she truly belonged? __ When Polly Anna's mother died when she was just three years old, it seemed the workhouse was the only place for her to go. But with the help of Jonty - a young misfit who soon became her best friend - she managed to escape, running away with the fairground folk. Her friends became the circus people, and her home the caravans and travellers' tents. Meanwhile, in a great house in Yorkshire, old Mrs Winthrop has never given up hope of finding her daughter Madeleine, who eloped with a handsome gypsy and was never seen again. When her young neighbour sets out to find Madeleine, he discovers the colourful world of the fairs. And there, in the midst of it all, Polly Anna - once the waif from the workhouse, now a fully-fledged gypsy girl. If you enjoy books by Katie Flynn and Dilly Court, you'll love Val's heartwarming stories of triumph over adversity. Previously published as The Romany Girl. __ What readers are saying: ***** 'Another great story from Val Wood she always has me gripped throughout the book.' ***** 'A real page turner . . . loved how she describes the different ways of life from the workhouse to the fair grounds. Amazing.' ***** 'l loved this book. lt was sad at times and kept me wanting to read more. l felt such compassion . . . and l held my breath.'