Dragons at Crumbling Castle: And Other Stories
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Dragons at Crumbling Castle is a collection of 14 stories for young readers, written by Terry Pratchett when he was a junior newspaper reporter. They are not very complex or polished, but they spotlight the enthusiasm of a teen writer experimenting with his craft. The stories feature travels to magical lands and encounters with fantastic or historical figures. Violence is rare and mild when it occurs.
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What's the Story?
The 14 stories collected in DRAGONS AT CRUMBLING CASTLE represent the early work of Terry Pratchett, bestselling author of the Discworld series. They feature characters and situations aimed at young readers: misunderstood dragons, a caveman/inventor who's ahead of his time, a time-traveling bus, and much more. Two stories offer a preview of Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People.
Is It Any Good?
Earnest but unpolished, the stories in Dragons at Crumbling Castle are clearly the work of a young writer just learning to handle the tools of his literary craft. But because the young writer in question is Sir Terry Pratchett, the quality of these tales is higher than usual for kids' stories. They move swiftly, with a few jokes sprinkled in the dialogue, and familiar fantasy situations get a fresh twist. Young readers not yet ready for the sophistication of Discworld are probably the best audience for this book.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the best ways to learn how to tell a story. What kinds of assignments might help a student develop a sense for storytelling?
What outlets are there for young people who want to learn how to write fiction? Can suitable resources be found online?
What makes a good story? How important is the subject? How important is the language?
Book Details
- Author: Terry Pratchett
- Illustrator: Mark Beech
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Fairy Tales
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Clarion Books
- Publication date: February 3, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 9 - 12
- Number of pages: 352
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
Our Editors Recommend
-
The Carpet People
Funny fantasy about tiny rug folk a wry satire of leaders.
-
The Last Dragonslayer: The Chronicles of Kazam, Book 1
Talky but funny fantasy takes a while to get going.
-
A Wizard Abroad
High fantasy -- with a dose of Irish mythology.
For kids who love fantasy and adventure
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