Yes, the title is funny. But this book is worth your time, especially if you work or interact with children-at-risk, or kids who suffer from a difficult past.

I am so absolutely biased to David Almond's magic-realism, so for me, this book was an absolute joy to read. Erin, january, and mouse are the heroes of this book (don't you just love those names?!). Confined to the Whitegates facility for "damaged" children, they often dream of escape, of running away for good. One day, their exploring leads them to a mysterious derelict factory inhabited by Grampa and Heaven Eyes, a little girl in search of her lost family. It's a marvelous book about genuine friendship, true escape, and (in my opinion), learning how to wait for a child's story to slowly come out, and tell itself to the world.

Aerin, daughter of the king, discovers a way to bestow immunity to dragonfire. At the young age of 15, she earns the name of Dragonkiller. Meanwhile, an endless search continues for a lost artifact that will restore safety to the land of Damar. Will the lost crown surface before the demon-mischief in the north lands spreads across the countryside? Who will rescue the undefended towns from the onslaught of Maur- an ancient dragon of terrible power?

Great dialogue, great plot, deeply hewn characters, and a mighty dragon- sounds like the perfect book! Sadly, I can only give it 3.5 out of 5 stars. I stayed up finishing this book for one reason- I kept thinking it would get better. It didn't. I'm guessing it was too well written- it had none of the flaws that make other fantasy novels (like Redwall or the Dark Elf Trilogy) so endearing. I know others enjoyed this book a lot more than I did, so you still might want to give it a try. (addendum: men, stay away from this one please. may i direct your attention to the fourth post below.. kindly read some of my extra thoughts on this book. thank you. but i think this is a safe book for ladies). and one last thing... this book should be rated PG13. hehe.

READ THIS BOOK!

Coraline's family lives in one of the storeys of an old house. A natural explorer, she steps through a door into another world. There she learns courage, finds unexpected friends, curious creatures, and the most vicious and scary villain since the red bull of The Last Unicorn!

She discovers that she is in a recreated house, with a pair of button-eyed "other parents," who secretly want to steal her soul, her name, and her memory. Joined by a feline friend with no name, she decides to face the evil behind the altered sub-world, and rescue her true parents from the vile 'beldam'.

This 162 page book can be read in one sitting. Make sure you have a snack with you, and a nice tall glass of Pepsi. You will not want to leave your chair once the story builds up :)