A slave girl who doesn't even have a name rescues a dragon from imminent death. She finds herself tasked with protecting a stone and going on a journey with the dragon to the ocean.
Title: Dragonkeeper
Series: Dragonkeeper: book 1
Author: Carol Wilkinson
ISBN: 9781742032450 Language: English
ISBN: 9788466628181 Language: español / Spanish Title: El guardián de los dragones
Publisher: Walker Books Australia
Released: 1st May 2012
Classification: Fiction
Type: YA fantasy
Themes: history, adventure, identity
It begins in a remote palace in China with a young slave girl. She doesn't know who she is and hates her lowly existence. Things suddenly change for her when she meets Long Danzi, the last wild dragon, and unwittingly escapes from her life in the palace and into the world. Long Danzi is focused on making it to the ocean with a purple stone but they face many perils along the way and the girl wonders if her life will ever be the same.
I first picked up this book because the cover (shown) appealed to me. I'm not one that usually goes for fantasy type books but there was something rather intriguing about this one. At the start of the novel the slave girl doesn't even have a name - she is literally a nobody and treated so very poorly - it is only because the dragon, Long Danzi can read that she discovers her name.
Classification: Fiction
Type: YA fantasy
Themes: history, adventure, identity
It begins in a remote palace in China with a young slave girl. She doesn't know who she is and hates her lowly existence. Things suddenly change for her when she meets Long Danzi, the last wild dragon, and unwittingly escapes from her life in the palace and into the world. Long Danzi is focused on making it to the ocean with a purple stone but they face many perils along the way and the girl wonders if her life will ever be the same.
I first picked up this book because the cover (shown) appealed to me. I'm not one that usually goes for fantasy type books but there was something rather intriguing about this one. At the start of the novel the slave girl doesn't even have a name - she is literally a nobody and treated so very poorly - it is only because the dragon, Long Danzi can read that she discovers her name.
There is a lot of personal growth in this story from the perspective of the slave girl. She is a quick learner and while reliant on the dragon for a large portion of the story she begins to find her feet and herself. In comparison, the dragon comes across as rather obnoxious at times but it suits the character well.
What appeals to me about using this in the classroom is that is a story that both male and female students can enjoy. I remember reading it to a grade 2 class and loving Hua's antics. It seems that children find the characters easy to relate to.
"I appreciate the way the author has woven enough history of people, places, and events without allowing it to bog down the story..."
From a historical perspective, this was my first novel that entered the territory of Ancient China and will be far from the last. I appreciate the way the author has woven enough history of people, places, and events without allowing it to bog down the story (chapter 3 would be the one exception to this. With Australian teachers looking to incorporate more Asian studies into their teaching, this book hits a unique balance between reading, writing, geography, and history activities that can be devised from it.I highly recommend this one also for advanced readers who are looking for a challenge without the content being too overwhelming.
Angus & Robertson : Booktopia
Edit: 2017 update - it appears as though the book series is about to be transformed into an animated series. More information at Variety
Dragonkeeper series featuring Ping is available by clicking below
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