DRAGON RIDER
by Cornelia Funke
The Chicken House/Scholastic
ISBN: 0439456959
Ages 8-up
523 pages

Now that her novels THE THIEF LORD and INKHEART have become huge bestsellers, German author Cornelia Funke is finally achieving the kind of popularity in the United States that she has long enjoyed in her native country. With the English publication of DRAGON RIDER, an adventure novel for slightly younger readers, Funke is poised to expand her audience even more.

When the silver dragons' peaceful home in a Scottish valley is threatened by human settlers, young Firedrake is assigned to travel halfway around the world to find the mythical Rim of Heaven, a place where dragons can live safely. Accompanied by the sharp-tongued brownie Sorrel and the orphan boy Ben, Firedrake must avoid being captured by the wicked golden dragon Nettlebrand as he flies to complete his quest.

DRAGON RIDER lacks some of the imaginativeness that made Funke's other novels such groundbreaking fantasies. It is more of a straightforward quest story but is nevertheless an entertaining one, with several parallel storylines that will challenge the reader. DRAGON RIDER is also a long book, but its short chapters and witty dialogue (especially from the brownie Sorrel) will help keep young readers motivated.

   --- Reviewed by Norah Piehl

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