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The Wee Free Men (Tiffany Aching, 1) Mass Market Paperback – May 25, 2004

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 7,251 ratings

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 

By the beloved and bestselling grandmaster of fantasy, Sir Terry Pratchett, this is 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. . . .

The five funny and fabulous Tiffany Aching adventures are:

  • 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! 

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Popular Highlights in this book

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Like Celtic mythology fused with ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer.’” — New York Times Book Review

“Wonderful language, genuinely scary explorations, and a young girl whose growing up is believable and exciting.” — The Chicago Tribune

“An enthralling and rewarding read.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A glorious read.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

“Just the package to appeal to those who admire not just a brave heart but a quick comeback as well.” — The Horn Book (starred review)

“The Carnegie Medal winner’s fans will not be disappointed.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“The humor and the danger will appeal to Discworld fans and also readers who relish J. K. Rowling’s Harry.” — ALA Booklist

“A lovely romp for Pratchett fans of all ages.” — Locus

“Perfect for anyone who enjoys The Princess Bride and the works of Douglas Adams.” (starred review) — KLIATT

From the Back Cover

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. . . .

A Story of Discworld

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Clarion Books (May 25, 2004)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 375 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0060012382
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0060012380
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 years and up
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 680L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 8 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.68 x 4.34 x 1.08 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 7,251 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
7,251 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story charming and engaging, with simple storytelling that is accessible to young readers. They appreciate the sophisticated humor and witty dialogue. The book is described as fun, entertaining, and engaging for both young and adult readers. Readers praise the well-written and insightful writing style.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

134 customers mention "Storytelling"128 positive6 negative

Customers enjoy the storytelling. They find the story charming and accessible, with clever incorporation of fairy tales and myth lore. The book is described as a funny coming-of-age story with a brave and sensible female heroine. It's suitable for all ages and well-paced, imaginative, and inspiring.

"...The humor is witty and many times unexpected. I laugh out loud which is unusual for me because it takes a lot to make me laugh!..." Read more

"...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..." Read more

"...of Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg at the end, sets up further adventures of Tiffany and connects her subseries with the Witches subseries with the..." Read more

"...Finding out it was part of a book series was a lovely surprise and Tiffany Aching offers the right amount of comfy for autumn reading...." Read more

127 customers mention "Humor"124 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor. They find the writing sophisticated yet witty and funny, with wonderful turns of phrase. The characters are brilliant and the plot twists are clever. The storyline is tight and the message is thoughtful and well-received.

"...The humor is witty and many times unexpected. I laugh out loud which is unusual for me because it takes a lot to make me laugh!..." Read more

"...The characters are well developed and almost always entertaining and hilarious – for example her younger brother constantly asks for “sweeties”,..." Read more

"...is the second time he’s written for young adults but his writing and humor are top notch as well follow a nine-year witch Tiffany Aching going up..." Read more

"...Their dialogue is hilarious, once you learn to translate their accent which sits somewhere between a Scottish and Irish brogue...." Read more

114 customers mention "Enjoyment"114 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it engaging and fun, with beautiful prose. The story is described as a delightful adventure through a familiar yet magical world.

"...The characters are well developed and almost always entertaining and hilarious – for example her younger brother constantly asks for “sweeties”,..." Read more

"...Throughout it all is a great sense of adventure...." Read more

"...the adventure they and tiffany go on is just that, adventurous and fun and i laughed till i cried at some bits...." Read more

"...to have a favorite since they.are all grand adventures! Great fun and plenty of twists in this one...." Read more

74 customers mention "Ages"70 positive4 negative

Customers find the book appropriate for young readers. They say it's a good place to start for young people, with an accessible narrative and relatable characters. The female protagonist is described as smart for her age, and the issues are presented in a way that children can understand.

"...Starting with the history of a young, inexperienced witch with a big heart we learn about how she meets challenges and the Wee Free Men...." Read more

"...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..." Read more

"...Tiffany is very smart for her age and sees things as they are just like her grandmother, so when strange things pop up she uses an iron pan to beat..." Read more

"...Highly recommended for adults and older teens, mostly because of the reading difficulty with the language of the Nac Mac Feegles...." Read more

69 customers mention "Writing quality"61 positive8 negative

Customers praise the book for its well-written and unique style of writing. They find it a good place to test out Terry Pratchett's writing style, which is unique and hilarious. Readers appreciate the author's writing for young readers as well as older ones. The dialogue in dialect is amazing, and there are no obvious spelling or grammatical errors.

"...The book was a very easy, very entertaining read...." Read more

"...aimed in a "younger audience" direction, please know that it is so well written that you'd scarcely notice, no matter your age...." Read more

"...tiffany, the young heroine "hag" (or witch,) is engaging, knowable, and human...." Read more

"...book, I found it a bit slow in the beginning but not too hard or boring to get through...." Read more

66 customers mention "Thought provoking"66 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and engaging. They praise the intelligent heroine, who is honest and observant. The story has many levels of intellect built in, encouraging critical thinking and good decision-making guidance. While aimed at young readers, it's clever, engaging, and full of things to learn. The pictures capture the essence of the book and provide lessons in growing up and being sensible.

"...point-of-view character, save from a narrator, which keeps the book fairly orderly when reading as well as being in line for a book for younger..." Read more

"terry pratchett is a genius....amazingly funny, extraordinarily insightful...." Read more

"...But she is wise and observant, which grants her many advantages and opportunities throughout her adventure...." Read more

"...Pratchett presents an amazing girl, thoughtful, intelligent, strong-willed, and observant and you feel you know her and can't help but admire her..." Read more

65 customers mention "Character development"65 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the well-developed characters in this book. They enjoy the delightful and likable heroine, Tiffany Aching, and her Scottish companions. The story is described as an escape from reality with magical creatures, shipwrecks, and adventures full of ships, fairy queens, skillets used as weapons.

"...The characters are well developed and almost always entertaining and hilarious – for example her younger brother constantly asks for “sweeties”,..." Read more

"...But it also has a grand adventure full of "ships", fairy queens, skillets used as weapons, and 6" high scotsmen with 6" long..." Read more

"...adjacent to other Discworld stories, there are hints of the character and plot overlaps to come...." Read more

"...Free Men is a charming coming-of-age story with a brave and sensible female heroine...." Read more

17 customers mention "Introduction"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a good introduction to the Discworld and witches for younger readers. It's a gateway into other Discworld books and a starting point for people new to Terry Pratchett. They appreciate the imagination and introduction of a new character.

"...end, sets up further adventures of Tiffany and connects her subseries with the Witches subseries with the hopes of seeing favorite characters in..." Read more

"...As well, it is a great gateway into other Discworld books...." Read more

"...If a reader is new to Discworld, this would be a good introduction..." Read more

"...Pratchett is the introduction of a very sympathetic and interesting young witch-in-training...." Read more

If nothing else, read it for the Nac Mac Feegles,
5 out of 5 stars
If nothing else, read it for the Nac Mac Feegles,
I loved the Nac Mac Feegles when they appeared in Carpe Jugulum. Though they were a little tough to understand then. They're better in this, though not laughing while reading this book in public is a problem. They are certainly a gung-ho lot.But of course, this book (bar a few scenes in the beginning) is from the viewpoint of Tiffany Aching. I sort of see her as how Granny Weatherwax would've been as a young girl, Tiffany certainly has the same determinedness as she sets off to rescue her baby brother (à la the film Labyrinth). Of course, it's the Quin - I mean, Quee - who has him and that means fairyland with all the monsters and the dreams and the nightmares. All of which the Nac Mac Feegles face head on, literally.I quite liked the ending to this, a nice rounded conclusion that speaks of more to come. I'll be looking forward to it.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2024
    I have been a fan of Terry Pratchett for well over 10 years. His Tiffany Aching series (5 books) are probably my favorites. Starting with the history of a young, inexperienced witch with a big heart we learn about how she meets challenges and the Wee Free Men. The humor is witty and many times unexpected. I laugh out loud which is unusual for me because it takes a lot to make me laugh!
    I recommend the audiobooks as Stephen Briggs is the master of many, many voices.

    If you have a sense of humor you will probably love these silly but meaningful books.
    I think this book would be appreciated by 8-90 year olds!

    Elizabeth
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2017
    This 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.
    55 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2017
    The Chalk is a place of sheep and shepherds but never a witch was known to be there, however that might have been incorrect. Terry Pratchett’s 30th Discworld novel, "The Wee Free Men", is the second time he’s written for young adults but his writing and humor are top notch as well follow a nine-year witch Tiffany Aching going up against the Queen of Elves with only a horde of six-inch blue little men.

    Tiffany Aching finds her family farm being invaded by monsters from dreams as well as a horde of little blue men, the titular Wee Free Men. Tiffany is very smart for her age and sees things as they are just like her grandmother, so when strange things pop up she uses an iron pan to beat them back. Although she later figures out that her grandmother was a witch, Tiffany has her first encounter with one in the form of Ms. Lick who tells her to be careful but not to tackle the problem on her own but when her brother is kidnapped by the Fairie Queen, Tiffany knows she’s going to need help while not sounding desperate. Tiffany’s help comes to her when the local clan of the Wee Free Men shows up looking for the new “hag ol’ the hills” because of the invasion of the Queen. Tiffany and the Wee Free Men invade ‘Fairyland’ and manage to return with her brother, a feat that Granny Weatherwax finds impressive for someone so young and untrained.

    "The Wee Free Men" features Tiffany as the only point-of-view character, save from a narrator, which keeps the book fairly orderly when reading as well as being in line for a book for younger readers. The story itself is somewhat familiar for long time Discworld fans with the antagonist being the Queen of the Elves invading, but Pratchett changes things up with the use of dreams and the conflict as seen from a nine-year old. The cameo appearance of Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg at the end, sets up further adventures of Tiffany and connects her subseries with the Witches subseries with the hopes of seeing favorite characters in future books.

    The second young adult and first Tiffany subseries book of the Discworld canon is a fantastic book; "The Wee Free Men" gives someone new for long time fans while introducing older characters for younger new readers. While it’s intended for a younger audience, older fans will appreciate Pratchett’s humorous fantasy writing with his twists and turns.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2024
    I first read Tiffany Aching starting with the fourth book, as I happened upon it at a local bookstore. Finding out it was part of a book series was a lovely surprise and Tiffany Aching offers the right amount of comfy for autumn reading. Likewise, I'm happy to have found the series by visiting every bookstore I know, and the only book that eluded me was this one. Hopefully Terry's daughter continues the adventure in the future. I know she did an e-book for the character at one point.

Top reviews from other countries

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  • NC
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of Pratchett's most inventive
    Reviewed in Canada on May 20, 2024
    The 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.
  • Viv
    5.0 out of 5 stars The wee free men
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 7, 2024
    I have always loved Terry Pratchett books and this one was no exception. It was funny and a very enjoyable read
  • Silvia B.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantasía con puntos muy cómicos
    Reviewed in Spain on November 12, 2020
    Muy imaginativa y cómica. De lectura fácil. Fantasía pura
  • Deirdre2411
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Scottish book
    Reviewed in Australia on October 27, 2024
    Easy read
  • mansi mudgal
    5.0 out of 5 stars Crivens!
    Reviewed in India on September 28, 2017
    “If you trust in yourself. . .and believe in your dreams. . .and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”

    Witches don't grow on chalk, it's not a hard rock and that is what a witch needs or that is what some might think.
    Tiffany Aching wants to be a witch and has the makings of one, she has the first sight and second thoughts which is great. Tiffany lives on chalk which is at a far away end on the discworld and it's hers (witches are selfish) and so she must protect it . Fortunately she has the best thieves, fighters and drunkards in the world at her side, the Nac Mac Feegle whose motto is "Nae King! Nae quin! Nae Laird! Nae master! We willna' be fooled agin!" , they are the Wee Free Men.

    This is the first in the Tiffany Aching series and an absolute delight, it's rich detail adds multiple layers to the book. Only Sir Terry Pratchett can do it, he has given us a precocious, brave and intelligent heroine and characters who are insightful, sinister and absolutely hilarious.
    This can be a gateway book to Pratchett's world for people who find the other books intimidating, also the younger readers would enjoy it a lot. A must read
    Customer image
    mansi mudgal
    5.0 out of 5 stars Crivens!
    Reviewed in India on September 28, 2017
    “If you trust in yourself. . .and believe in your dreams. . .and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”

    Witches don't grow on chalk, it's not a hard rock and that is what a witch needs or that is what some might think.
    Tiffany Aching wants to be a witch and has the makings of one, she has the first sight and second thoughts which is great. Tiffany lives on chalk which is at a far away end on the discworld and it's hers (witches are selfish) and so she must protect it . Fortunately she has the best thieves, fighters and drunkards in the world at her side, the Nac Mac Feegle whose motto is "Nae King! Nae quin! Nae Laird! Nae master! We willna' be fooled agin!" , they are the Wee Free Men.

    This is the first in the Tiffany Aching series and an absolute delight, it's rich detail adds multiple layers to the book. Only Sir Terry Pratchett can do it, he has given us a precocious, brave and intelligent heroine and characters who are insightful, sinister and absolutely hilarious.
    This can be a gateway book to Pratchett's world for people who find the other books intimidating, also the younger readers would enjoy it a lot. A must read
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