Dragons : Two Very Different Tales

Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George (c)2007

Creel is originally given to a dragon in order for her poor family to benefit financially from her rescue by a prince. Instead, she makes a bargain with the dragon - the noise and fuss of the rescue won't have to happen if the dragon allows her to choose one item from it's hoard...of shoes! She makes her way to the King's Seat to seek employment at a dress shop, as she knows how to embroider beautifully. But her new shoes attract the attention of the evil princess, now betrothed to the royal prince, who wants them for her foreign kingdom's selfish purposes!




The Last Dragon by Silvana de Mari, (c) 2006

It seems that the world has descended into a Dark Age with continual rain and flooding. Yorsh is the only remaining elf to survive the flooding of his village, so he is wandering miserably when he stumbles into a cabin and is befriended by woman and her dog, then later a hunter. With their help, Yorsh is able to find the last dragon, fulfill an ancient prophesy and bring back the sun...and that is only Part 1 of Yorsh's story!

Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick

Five-year-old little brother Jeffrey is annoying to 8th grader Steven, but even more annoying is Steven's whole life, after his little brother is diagnosed with leukemia. His mother has to quit her job and practically lives at the hospital while Jeffrey is getting treatment. His father has sunk into a miserable emotional void and can't communicate at all with Steven. The only real part of his world is being able to escape into his music as a drummer, getting ready for the All-City concert. Now, even that may be in jeopardy as Steven has been "space-walking" through school and is failing his classes.

Throughout the book Steven's internal dialogue is revealed in italics - about girls, his feelings about his family and friends - giving a lighted tone to a very serious subject. The feel-good ending had me in tears and wishing that all 8th graders had amazing friends like Annette and Renee!