Igraine the Brave - Cornelia Funke
Lighthearted, mild fantasy is giant tween fun.
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Book details
- Author:Cornelia Funke
- # of pages: 212
- Publisher:Scholastic Inc.
- Original Publication Date: 10/01/2007
- Genre: Fiction - Fantasy
- Hardcover: $16.99
- Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 8-12
- Read Aloud: 8
- Read Alone: 9
Parents need to know
Parents need to know that there is little of concern here. There's some mild fighting and jousting, but no one is seriously hurt. This is lighthearted fantasy, mostly played for laughs, in which even the dragons just want to be left alone to live their lives.
Families can talk about an (apparently unintentional) ethical double standard in the story: Much is made of the unfairness of a knight who uses an enchanted spear, yet Igraine is given an enchanted suit of armor and no one thinks that's a problem. Do you agree? If so, what's the difference? Does her armor fit within the code of chivalry presented in the book? If so, then what's wrong with the enchanted spear?
Families can talk about an (apparently unintentional) ethical double standard in the story: Much is made of the unfairness of a knight who uses an enchanted spear, yet Igraine is given an enchanted suit of armor and no one thinks that's a problem. Do you agree? If so, what's the difference? Does her armor fit within the code of chivalry presented in the book? If so, then what's wrong with the enchanted spear?
Message
Social Behavior:
Consumerism:
Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:
Violence
Some mild fighting and jousting.
Sex
Language
Common Sense says
What's the story?
Reviewed by Matt Berman
Though Igraine's parents and brother, Albert, are all sorcerers, Igraine wants to be a knight. She practices sword fighting and her parents give her a magical suit of armor, but she longs for adventure. When her family castle is attacked by Osmund the Greedy, who wants the famous Singing Books of Magic that have been in her family for years, she may get more adventure than she bargained for.
Just before the attack, Igraine's parents accidentally turn themselves into pigs. To restore them in time to defend the castle, Igraine must ride into the mountains to find a giant and bring back some of his hair for the counter-spell. Along the way she'll not only have to deal with giants, but also a dragon and a sorrowful knight.
Is it any good?
Popular German author Cornelia Funke seems to write two types of fantasy: the intense, edgy kind, typified by her Inkheart series, and a lighter, more playful kind, better suited to younger kids, such as Dragon Rider. IGRAINE THE BRAVE belongs to the second category.
There's never a moment when the outcome is in doubt, little suspense, not even any real difficulties that Igraine's family must fight their way through. It's surprising how delightful this can be, especially after so many edge-of-the-seat thriller fantasies, which can leave readers drained and exhausted. Igraine's parents and brother have a wonderfully blithe, blasé attitude to the worst their enemies can throw at them, which is reassuring to young readers and allows them to enjoy the humor without worrying about what terrible thing might happen.
Other choices
Other Books by Cornelia Funke:
The Thief Lord
Inkheart
Dragon Rider
Inkspell
When Santa Fell to Earth
More Lighthearted Fantasy:
The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling
The Boggart by Susan Cooper
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
The BFG by Roald Dahl
The Reluctant Dragon by Kenneth Grahame
Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe
Shoebag by Mary James
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang by Mordecai Richler
Magyk by Angie Sage
Flora Segunda by Ysabeau S. Wilce
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Which fantasy book creature has the best name?
Fluffy (3-headed dog, Harry Potter)
33%
Mister Grin (giant crocodile, Peter and the Starcatchers)
17%
Vermicious Knid (shapeshifting monster, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator)
0%
The Incredibly Deadly Viper (harmless snake, Series of Unfortunate Events)
8%
Bunnicula (vampire bunny, Bunnicula series)
42%
12 votes