THE LAST DRAGON by Silvana Di Mari

Grades 5-8; 361 pages; fantasy. "Translated from the Italian. After his village is ruined by a flood, Yorsh, the world's last elf, reads writing on ancient ruins and realizes that in order to stop the torrential rains, he must find the only remaining dragon." :

Follett Library Resources

I am in the middle of this charming, funny and poignant book. The elf is the show stopper. He is exasperatingly passionate and firm in his convictions, but entirely lovable. Entertaining, poignant and humorous. I want to find out what will happen - a good sign.

SUMMERLAND by Michael Chabon

I finished "Summerland" this morning. This was the book of amazing one-liners. Michael Chabon is a genius at crystallizing a universal truth, or at least a zinger, a "YES" in a single sentence. I have resolved to start a web page, a list of fabulous sentences that capture the essence of my favorite books. Here's a good one:

"You better be ready kid," said a voice just behind him. "Pretty soon now you going to get the call." Chiron Brown (Ringfinger) page 21.

What a fabulous book. It just got better and better. A GREAT CHOICE for one of those long car rides or a read aloud or a read alone! Now, I HAVE to read The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay!

Please see the earlier post of Summerland, which includes a summary of the book.

Summerland _Nov26-06

THE GREEN GLASS SEA by Ellen Klages

"While her father works on the Manhattan Project, eleven-year-old gadget lover and outcast Dewey Kerrigan lives in Los Alamos Camp, and becomes friends with Suze, another young girl who is shunned by her peers." :

Follett Library Resources

The intriguing title and cover alone drew me to this book initially. The perspective of a child in the Los Alamos community during the Manhattan Project years is matter of fact, concerned more with the immediate concerns of absent parents and bullies. The Project's influence looms on the periphery, but the story centers on one child's life and that is the startling effectiveness of this story.

THE MOORCHILD by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
"Feeling that she is neither fully human nor "Folk," a changeling learns her true identity and attempts to find the human child whose place she had been given." Newbery Medal/Honor 1997 :

Follett Library Resources

I read this book a few years ago and list it as one of my favorites. I am reminded of it as I continue to listen to Summerland by Michael Chabon during my morning and afternoon commutes. Both stories tell a fascinating story of fairies and changelings, a story of worlds in peril and a longing for identity. The Moorchild is timeless and complex, a good choice for advanced elementary through adult.