Book Details
Written by
Illustrated by
Genre
More details
See more book reviews

Igraine the Brave (by Cornelia Funke)

common sense media says

Lighthearted, mild fantasy is giant tween fun.

parents & educators say
See all 9 reviews | Review it

What 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.

Violence: Some mild fighting and jousting.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Igraine the Brave

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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?

What's the story?

What's the story?
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?

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. 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.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Cornelia Funke
Illustrator: Cornelia Funke
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Publication date: October 1, 2007
Number of pages: 212
Hardcover price: $16.99
Read Aloud: 8
Read Alone: 9
This review was written by Matt Berman
 
 

Review It

 

Review Igraine the Brave

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

Most useful reviews by all members

Mira Hamad
teen, 14 years old
7
 
this book is perfect!!!!!!!! READ IT!!!
this book is soooooooooo nice and has sooooo much suspence and igraine really is a role model...... this book talks about magic and knights and much much more!!!!!!! i expect everyone to read it!!!!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (8) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (9)
corn52
teen, 16 years old
10
 
perfect for tweens
i did this book for a book report and i loved it a lot
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (7) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (6)
Belen K.
kid, 8 years old
7
 
A girl and her sword!
I am 8 years old. I read the book Igraine the Brave and the whole thing was exciting! I like the part when the Sorrowful Knight of the Mount of Tears was fighting Rowan Heartless. I go horseback riding and I pretend that I'm riding Lancelot. The Singing Books of Magic are so funny. Sisyphus is really cute. Osmund the Greedy is kind of mean but when he and Rowan Heartless were floating in the air and the wind blew them away, it was really, really funny. One thing that I like in the book is when Igraine was entering the stone lion's mouth. Igraine is so brave and cool. I always wished that I had an suit of armor. I always wanted to be a knight, even though I'm a girl. Because with my friends I have played swords so many times and I have 4 swords (play). I found one and carved it with a knife, the other I bought and the other one I found has a shape like a knife. And the last sword, the longest one, I also bought myself.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (6) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (6)
DragonFlyer
kid, 10 years old
8
 
Fun magic story!
I like the book Igraine the Brave for many reasons. One reason is that it is appropriate because it has no potty humor and no bad language. I also like this book because it is very exciting. It has a lot of magic. I think boys and girls would like it.If you like Harry Potter books than you would probably like this book.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (5) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (5)
Motherterisa1
teen, 14 years old
11
 
I loved it People in year6 7 8 9& 10 at my school love it its got adventure very postitive messages respectable everything parents want in a brilliant book by a brilliant Author
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (5) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (4)
pandgurl001
kid, 13 years old
9
 
the brave one
i think its a really good book and that more people should read it and it also lets u learn
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (5) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (3)
book head
kid, 11 years old
8
 
a great book
the book was a great pick for a sunshine state reader. It was a lighthearted fairy tale. a quick read so getting it at the library would be best. again a good book.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (5) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (4)
Danielle ...
kid, 12 years old
9
 
I love this book because it is adventourous and as you read much further, you will find it much more interesting!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (4) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (5)
Megara103
kid, 13 years old
 
An AMAZING book!
It was very funny with a lot of adventure. My sister also enjoyed it.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (4)

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you read Igraine the Brave?

Won't miss it
On the fence
No way

Already read it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Browse more books
About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines