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Dragon Rider (by Cornelia Funke)

common sense media says

Dragon tale is great for bedtime read-aloud.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is meant for fun, not literary discussion.

Positive messages: This story is really meant for entertainment, but on a stretch, you could find a subtle message about the encroachment of humans on nature.
Positive role models: One-dimensional characters, and a gentle approach that, while exciting, eschews violence. The villain is all bark and bad temper, most of the characters are helpful and kind.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Dragon Rider

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about extinction caused by human encroachment.

What's the story?

What's the story?

In a valley in Scotland the last of the silver dragons hide from the encroachment of humans. But now this last valley is being invaded too. Firedrake, a young dragon, sets out to find the legendary ancestral home of the dragons, the Rim of Heaven, high in the Himalayas, where dragons can be safe and undisturbed forever. Accompanying him are Sorrel, a crabby brownie, and eventually Ben, an orphan, and Twigleg, a homunculus who may be hiding a treacherous secret.

Following a map drawn by a rat, the trio trek across Europe and the Middle East, heading for India. But they are followed by the spies of Nettlebrand, an artificial golden dragon created to destroy all dragons, who also wants to know where the Rim of Heaven lies, so he can finish the task he was created for.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

DRAGON RIDER was actually Cornelia Funke's first book in Germany, but it wasn't offered in English until after the success of her two other books. Despite its excessive length, it's aimed at a younger audience with a simple, straightforward plot, one-dimensional characters, and a gentle approach that, while exciting, eschews violence. The villain is all bark and bad temper, most of the characters are helpful and kind, and the ending is predictable, but satisfying.

It reads like a middle-grade novel -- well, all right, three middle-grade novels. Ambitious young readers will want to read this themselves, but it would be a great extended bedtime read-aloud -- exciting but not too scary, humorous, with short chapters, and plenty of cliffhangers.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Cornelia Funke
Illustrator: Cornelia Funke
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Publication date: October 31, 2004
Number of pages: 523
Hardcover price: $12.95

This review was written by Matt Berman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

8

Most useful reviews by all members

 
I
I loved this book. A must have for Dragon-lovers like myself. *cuddles up with a dragon* =D

Cha-Ching
kid, 12 years old
 
Good for just about anyone interested
I think telling kids what they can and can't read is rather harsh (coming from a girl who read Harry Potter in 1st grade) and I think anyone who can read this, should be able to read it. Personally, I loved it. I have read Inkheart, Inkspell, Inkdeath, The Thief Lord and Reckless all by Cornelia Funke also. Her books can be a little creepy, but they are entertaining and excellent reads. Enjoy!

Megumi Yosei
teen, 13 years old
 
Alright
It's nothing overly new, but it's still very good, nonetheless.

Jerry.D
teen, 17 years old
 
i llike this book beacuse it was time for me to return back to class and i was in a hurry and that's when i saw it. i went home and remembered that i had gotten a book and started reading i couln't stop reading chapter by chapter,getting better and better. so i strongly recomend this book to kids who loved reading, i didn't like reading untill i read this book so mothers read to your daughter and sons and make them learn that there is a whole new world just by reading. thank you for your time and never stop reading

Ov Fire And ...
teen, 18 years old
 
Great Story
This is an amazing book and a must-read for any who love fantasy, adventure, and some comedy. I've always been interested in mythological creatures like Dragons, unicorns, etc., and I think it's great That Cornelia Funke wrote a book that starred dragons, but showed them in a different light than what they're normally given. Usually dragons are portrayed as vicious, treasure-hoarding monsters, but here, they were sentient, and actually gentle creatures. Thumbs up definately!

saltwater19
teen, 14 years old
 
GREAT BOOK
Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS BOOK IS 1 OF MY FAVORITES!! :) :) :) :)

Chickee01
teen, 15 years old
 
Great Book!
Great Book To Enjoy With Family!

Cliff Hanger
teen, 14 years old
 
Nice book!
Wonderful! One of my all time favorites! Great for kids ages 8 and up

percyjacksonfreak
teen, 13 years old
 
Perfect for anyone 9 or older
I LOVE this book!!!!! It is my all time favorite book. My favorite character is The brownie.

kellyrw
parent of and 8 , 8 , 12 year old
 
excellent story
We listened to the audio book, it was excellent. A few scenes are a bit scary, but overall the book is wonderfully written and a fabulous story. Good prevails. I'm wishing for a sequel!

sarasnake99
teen, 15 years old
 
Great book!
I realy enjoyed reading this book. It is very good for kids who love to read fantasy.

L.fordham
kid, 10 years old
 
Dragon Rider
Dragon Rider is lovely and warm hearted!

Bindydog
teen, 15 years old
 
BEST BOOK!!!
I love this book so freaking much! I own it, and I've read it three times! I love Sorell!!

wildery
kid, 8 years old
 
Listen to the book as read by Brendan Frazier!
This is not too violent.

Inkheart Fan
kid, 12 years old
 
Really good
I loved this book. Read it in only 2-3 days!!!

I-Man
kid, 12 years old
 
good book
Great role models and messages. I've read it at least 10 times.

ansika
parent of and 3 , 12 , 14 year old
 
9 +
Great adventure fantasy book, well written by Cornelia Funke, spell binding and wonderful characters. Imagery is vivid and its is certainly written for pure entertainment. Warm, funny, magical and exciting. A great story by a fantastic story teller.

trumpettwo
teen, 17 years old
 
Cornelia Funke out did herself
this is just a great book! Cornelia Funke just out did herself. this is a book that is acceptable for younger kids but is also really entertaining for older kids too. just well written

 
i loved it
i loved it, it was an adventure it was so detailed i felt like i was actually in the book. just like Cornelia Funke's other books! i would like her to continue to writing her creative books! i really enjoyed it, and i recommend kids to read it if theyre in for an adventure. This is one of the books where you read it at night and want to go to bed but cant because its so interesting. Most books im not able to imagine because there is not much details, but with this book i imagined so much! And at the end of the book i was mad it ended because it was such a masterpiece! I cant wait for Cornelia Funke to make another sequel.

A-fisch
teen, 14 years old
 
I love this book! I have read it over and over again. I also love Cornelia Funke's other books, such as Theif Lord and Inkheart, although those two would be for slightly older kids.

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