Lions, Tigers, and Bears...no...Dragons, Elves, and Dwarves--and um humans?--Oh my!

Booktalk:
Would you like to take an epic adventure with dragons?  Or get transported to a world with magical creatures, heroes, and evil villains?  Well this book is for you!  Come experience this exciting tale of Eragon, a 15 year-old human boy who finds a mysterious blue gem in the forest.  As he travels back home, he finds that no one is willing to buy the large gem, especially something that he found in the Spine forest--rumored to be a place of weird occurrences and sightings of magic.  Something magical occurs.  The blue gem is actually a dragon egg!  When it hatches, Eragon's life is forever changed because he is now a dragon rider.  Eragon is then thrust into a series of exciting perilous adventures and a quest to save the world.  During this time he meets elves, dwarves, and evil creatures while he learns how to fight and use magic.  Can a small town 15 year-old farm boy bear all the pressure and really save the world?

For those who loved the Lord of the Rings series, this a great read-a-like for you to enjoy.  And for those who are curious, take a ride on the wild side dragon!  It's going to be a thrilling ride, so strap yourself in your dragon saddles (or your bed, chair, or choice of seating).  You won't be disappointed!

Side Notes for Booktalk:
Eragon is the first book to the Inheritance cycle trilogy by Christopher Paolini.  Paolini started to write this book when he was 15 years-old, yes 15!  The same age as Eragon.

It's great to emphasize that this book was written when the author was a teen himself.  It shows that the book has context that might be relevant to what tweens and teens find interest in.  It also shows what tweens and teens are capable of achieving.

Review:
Unlike other high epic fantasy books I have read, Eragon has a clear writing style that is easy to understand but is still well written.  Many people from different age groups will like this because it ismore "reader friendly" than the classic high epic novels.  His characters were well developed and thought out.  The growth of Eragon and his understanding of his world was a delight to read.  In that sense, Eragon is struggling to grow up and become a strong individual who will eventually fight against evil.  His conscience, morals, strive for justice, and empathy of others reinstate to the reader what a good hero should be and that it isn't always about strength or brawn.  There were low points and high points to Eragon that made him realistic as a teen.  A very thoughtful teen, but still a teen.  I think Paolini did well in making the reader understand who Eragon really is.  The relationships involved were bonuses.  Eragon's relationship with both his dragon and the storyteller Brom was touching.  Paolini stressed the intricate relationship between the dragon and the dragon rider as more of a mutual friendship and partnership.  As for Brom, it was nice to see a father figure.  Eragon and Brom's relationship was often  mixed in with frustration, but there was strong acceptance and support from both sides.  The plot was great.  It was action packed with dangerous moments that kept me on my toes.  Another positive is that it wasn't too complicating, just enough complexity to have my appreciation.

Paolini, C.  (2002).  Eragon.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
ISBN: 0-375-82668-8
Cover art link from randomhouse.com

Did you ever wish you had more money and happiness? Join Minli to discover the secret to both.

Have you ever wished your family had more money? Happiness? Well, then you’ll be able to relate to Minli, a young Chinese girl runs away from home to ask the Old Man in the Moon for wealth and happiness. If you like fairy tales, then you’ll enjoy this story which is interwoven with Chinese fables. In this modern fairy tale, the fish can talk and the Dragon can not fly. Dragon joins Minli on her journey, hoping to ask the Old Man in the Moon to help to make him fly. Along the way, Minli collects additional requests for the Old Man in the Moon. When she arrives, she discovers that she can only ask one question every ninety-nine years. What will she ask?


This book is exceptionally well-written, alternating between two stories: Minli’s journey to the Man in the Moon and her parents’ faith that she will return home someday. Lin masterfully weaves together ancient Chinese fables with the stories of Minli and her parents. Chinese fables are easily identified by their title and unique serif font. Each chapter begins with an illustration which foreshadows events of the chapter. Lin provides additional full-page color illustrations which enhance the story. The pace is well established, making readers want to complete just one more chapter. The plot is similar to Baum’s Wizard of Oz, in that Minli picks up additional favors to ask the Old Man in the Moon, along the journey. This exceptionally well written title makes an excellent introduction to Chinese fables. The author lists some that inspired her in the end papers. Grade 3-5.

Lin, Grace. (2009).  Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. New York: Little Brown.
ISBN: 9780316114271
Cover art link from ALIScat - a catalog of public libraries in Nassau County, New York.