Wings of Fire by Tui Sutherland - ADVISABLE

Sutherland, Tui T. The Dragonet Prophecy: Wings of Fire, 304 pgs. Scholastic Press, 2012. Language- G, Sexaul Content - G; Violence - PG; 

These five dragons have a prophecy to fulfill: they are going to end the war. They should be a symbol of hope, but half of them can't fight, one of them doesn't fit the prophecy, and all of them have been stuck in the same cave their whole lives. With one bold plan, Clay, Tsunami, Glory, Sunny, and Starflight set out to discover the world they've been missing--and the destiny they never understood. 

The journey these dragonets are going on is exciting for them, but was thrilling for me. These young dragonets are as much a stranger to the world they are experiencing as the readers of their story, which makes every new discovery come with a bit of mystery or surprise. This, combined with the spirited and lovable characters, formed a story I couldn't put down. 

MS - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: CCH

The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde - OPTIONAL

 

Fforde, Jasper  The Last Dragonslayer, 287 pgs.  Harcourt, 2012.  $16.99  Content: Language: PG (1 swear); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG. 

Jennifer Strange is a fifteen year old who runs an employment agency for magicians.  She is an orphan, and now an indentured servant working off her years to freedom by manning the company.  The previous manager disappeared while doing magic and Jennifer is the only one who knows how to keep the business afloat.  The magicians help with home repair and delivery services, but magic in the world is dwindling and magical services are no longer used by the public at large.  One of the magicians has a premonition that the local dragon is going to die and soon the whole nation is moving in to take over the dragonlands.  Jennifer attempts to understand the connection between magic and the dragon and comes across the old dragonslayer.  He hands the responsibility over to Jennifer, making her the last dragonslayer, and she finds herself in a precarious situation. 

This book is confusing.  Anytime I found myself getting into the story of Jennifer and the dragon, a minor character would go off on a random dialogue that would last a couple of pages and I didn’t feel like it helped the plot move along at all.  Also there would be references to old wars and battles throughout that really had nothing to do with the overall story.  At times I felt like the book was geared more towards adults and was trying to make environmental statements and anti-war sentiments.  It didn’t feel like a kid book and I wouldn’t recommend it to my students which is sad because I liked the character Jennifer Strange and I wanted to like the story. 

EL, MS-OPTIONAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson. 

Not Your Typical Dragon by Dan Bar-el - ESSENTIAL

Bar-el, Dan Not Your Typical Dragon, illustrated by Tim Bowers.  Viking (Penguin), 2013.  $17.  PICTURE BOOK.  Content: G.  

When little Crispin, a dragon, tries to breathe fire for the first time, he gets whipped cream instead.  Try as he might, he can breathe pretty much anything but fire.  When the other little dragons breathe fire, he breathes marshmallows.  When the knight tries to teach him the right fierce attitude, Crispin breathes teddy bears.  But, even though it isn’t fire Crispin breathes, just maybe it is the thing that is needed instead.  

Cute and clever and so much fun!  

Pre-K, EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL.   Cindy, Library Teacher

Waking Dragons by Jane Yolen - ADVISABLE

Yolen, Jane  Waking Dragons  Illustrated by Derek Anderson  Simon and Schuster, 2012.  $16.99  PICTURE BOOK  Content: G.  In this adorable story, a mother leaves a note for her son to wake the dragons before he goes to school.  The young knight is in charge of waking his dragons, brushing their teeth, feeding them breakfast and getting them dressed for the day.  After he has done all of this then the little knight gets on the dragon’s back and is flown to school.   Using dragons, this story outlines for young readers the tasks they need to accomplish before they are ready for the day.  The text rhymes and there are only a few words per page making this a simple and quick story.  The illustrations are absolutely adorable and the young knight and his dog have great facial expressions.  This story is similar to other Jane Yolen books, especially her dinosaur series.  PREK, EL (K-3)-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.   

The Princess of Trelian by Michelle Knudsen - ADVISABLE

Knudsen, Michelle The Princess of Trelian, 437 pgs. Candlewick Press, 2012. Language - PG (23 swears, 0 "f"), Sexual Content - PG; Violence - PG; 

Meg thought that she would finally be able to relax now that Sen Eva was momentarily defeated, but she is finding out that being a princess-heir linked to a dragon is not in the least bit easy. Which comes first: duty, family, or Jakl? Meanwhile, Calen makes his own discovery: he might be a danger to everyone he loves. But he would never betray them, right? 

I was captivated by Meg and Calen's story from the first page. However, I would not suggest reading this book with reading the first book, The Dragon of Trelain, as I did. It was still an excellent read, but I wish I had read the first adventure before diving into the second one. 

MS, HS - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: CCH

Flight of the Last Dragon by Robert Burleigh - ADVISABLE

Burleigh, Robert Flight of the Last Dragon. Philomel Books, 2012. $16.99. Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G. PICTURE BOOK.  

This epic poem invites the reader to come and see the last dragon. Ultimon, the last dragon, lives all alone beneath the subway.  He mourns for the days when his friends ruled the earth. He emerges from his dark tomb to fly once again.  He is drawn by a voice into the heavens. His scales become golden.  He is home.  The reader can see his light in the sky in the form of Draco, the constellation. The final page explains and shows the constellation, Draco, in the night skies.   

The beautiful illustrations in this book add emotion to this story of the last flight of Ultimon. The simplistic poem brings rhythm to the spoken story to heighten interest. The reader can feel the sorrow and elation as Ultimon wings his way to heaven. 

EL- ADVISABLE. Reviewer: MOMMC

East Dragon, West Dragon by Robyn Eversole - ADVISABLE

Eversole, Robyn  East Dragon, West Dragon Illustrated by Scott Campbell  Atheneum Boods for Young Readers, 2012. $16.99 PICTURE BOOK  Content: G.  

East Dragon and West Dragon live on different sides of the world and are different from each other in their appearance and skills.  They each believe the other to be a snob and worry that the other dragon might be fiercer than them. But when West Dragon goes to rescue some of the missing soldiers from his nearby town, he finds himself in need of help.  East Dragon seeing West Dragon in danger jumps to the rescue.  Finally, the two dragons realize that regardless of their differences they can be friends.  

This is a cute book about appreciating others and teaches the moral that friendships can be made between two very different people…I mean dragons.  Cute illustrations and fun storyline.  

EL (K-3)-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

The Dragon's Tooth by N.D. Wilson - ADVISABLE

Wilson, N.D. The Dragon's Tooth, 482 pgs. Random House, 2011. $16.99. Language G (0 swears), Mature Content G: Violence PG:

 Cyrus is just done living in this run down motel and doesn't understand how his brother and sister can stand it. But one night changes everything. When a surprise visitor ends up causing chaos and burning down half the motel Cryus is unsure about his wish for things to be different. Now he and his sister Tigs have to go on a rescue mission to save their brother, but are distracted by this new world they've stepped into. 

A great start to what looks like it will turn out to be an extravagant series that will join others such as Fable Haven. Wilson is a great writer that can capture any mind and take them on  a marvelous journey to spectacular places leaving myself and other readers just itching for more. 

EL, MS - ADVISABLE. Student Reviewer: KU

Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey - ADVISABLE

Carey, Janet Lee Dragonswood, 403 pgs. Dial Books, 2012. Language - PG (33 swears, 0 "f"), Sexual Content - PG-13; Violence - PG-13; 

Tess thought life was bad when she had to worry about her abusive father, but he can't compare with her new trials. Condemned of witchcraft and on the run with her two friends, Tess can't stop worrying. Will they find food today? Will this stranger turn them in? Will Prince Arden ever return to stop the madness in their country? 

I loved this book as much as the first one, Dragon's Keep. There were new mysteries and discoveries around the turns in the road, whether it was betrayals, dragons, or an eye-opening secret shared. The adventurous heroine Tess kept everything lively and worth reading about. I couldn't have imagined a better continuation for one of my favorite books. 

HS - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: CCH

Slayers by C.J. Hill - ADVISABLE

Hill, C. J. Slayers, 373 pgs. Feiwel and Friends, 2011. Language - G, Sexual Content - PG; Violence - PG; 

Tori was expecting a camp that would calm her worries about being different, not give her more! The dragon camp was just supposed to be a place where she would meet people like her--obsessed with dragons. While this was the case, she also found out that these mythical creatures weren't mythical. And Tori has to help kill them. The book had me from the first sentence. 

Although the transition from the prologue to chapter one threw me, it was easy to get back on track into a modern world of dragon slaying. The action keeps you on your toes and the story doesn't even let you go when the words stop. 

HS - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: CCH

First Hero by Adam Blade - ADVISABLE

Blade, Adam The Chronicles of Avantia: First Hero, 154 pgs.  Scholastic Press, 2012, $7.99.  Language - G (0 swears, 0 "f"), Mature Content - G; Violence - PG;  The Chronicles of of Avantia, First Hero is an action packed book, with you "on the edge of your seat" all the way through.  This book has legendary creatures who each has a chosen rider, and are destined to save their continent, one way or the other.  

I love how this book reminds me of the movie "Eragon", how he is a chosen rider and is destined to save his home land.  I also enjoyed how this book included a growth of friendship, because friends are some of the few other people in your life that you can trust.  EL - ADVISABLE.  Student Reviewer: MD