Overview
In the spirit of DRAGON RIDER and THE THIEF LORD, an enchanting fairy tale told with Cornelia's trademark warmth and wit: Perfect Funke fare for readers in the middle grades--Cornelia's "sweet spot"!Igraine dreams of becoming a famous knight just like her great grandfather, but the truth is, life at the family castle is rather boring. Until the nephew of the baroness-next-door shows up. He's got a dastardly plan to capture the castle and claim as his own the wonderful singing spell books that belong to Igraine's magician parents. To make matters worse, at the very moment of the siege, her mom and dad botch a spell, turning themselves into pigs! Aided by a Gentle Giant and a Sorrowful Knight, it's up to Igraine to be brave and save the day--and the books!
Synopsis
Princess Igraine dreams of becoming a famous knight just like her great grandfather, but the truth is, life at the family castle is rather boring. Until the nephew of the baroness-next-door shows up. He's got a dastardly plan to capture the castle and claim as his own the wonderful singing spell books that belong to Igraine's magician parents. To make matters worse, at the very moment of the siege, her mom and dad botch a spell, turning themselves into pigs! Aided by a Gentle Giant and a Sorrowful Knight, it's up to Igraine to be brave and save the day--and the books!
Publishers Weekly
Falling into the Funke-lite category of fantasy (more Dragonriderthan Inkheart), young listeners, especially girls, will be eager to find adventure with the irrepressible heroine of this sprightly adventure. Igraine longs to leave boring life at Pimpernel Castle and be a famous knight-unheard of, of course, for a girl. But when the magic of her sorcerer parents goes awry and they turn themselves into pigs at the very moment that nefarious necromancers gather to attack, Igraine is called to undertake a courageous and crucial quest. British actress Elbrick makes 12-year-old Igraine's frustration and exasperation palpable without sounding overwrought. And by giving the protagonist a youthful, yet confident and strong, vocal delivery, she helps listeners truly believe in Funke's characterization of Igraine. Additional solid portrayals-a sorrowful knight with an Americanized accent, a mostly friendly giant and singing books of magic, go far to create a lighthearted and colorful setting. Ages 8-up. Simultaneous release with the Scholastic/Chicken House hardcover (Reviews, Sept. 10). (Sept.)
Copyright 2007 Reed Business InformationEditorials
From Barnes & Noble
Princess Igraine is in the doldrums. Life at the family castle is boring and her fantasies about becoming a great female knight seem like nothing more than pipe dreams. All that changes, however, with the arrival of a power-hungry intruder who is intent on stealing a set of wondrous singing spell books owned by Igraine's parents. And it couldn't have happened at a worse time: Thanks to a major magical mishap, mom and pop have turned themselves into pigs! Fortunately, a Gentle Giant and a Sorrowful Knight are waiting in the wings to help the fledgling princess to save the day and the bacon-in-waiting. High-spirited hijinks.Publishers Weekly
Falling into the Funke-lite category of fantasy (more Dragonriderthan Inkheart), young listeners, especially girls, will be eager to find adventure with the irrepressible heroine of this sprightly adventure. Igraine longs to leave boring life at Pimpernel Castle and be a famous knight-unheard of, of course, for a girl. But when the magic of her sorcerer parents goes awry and they turn themselves into pigs at the very moment that nefarious necromancers gather to attack, Igraine is called to undertake a courageous and crucial quest. British actress Elbrick makes 12-year-old Igraine's frustration and exasperation palpable without sounding overwrought. And by giving the protagonist a youthful, yet confident and strong, vocal delivery, she helps listeners truly believe in Funke's characterization of Igraine. Additional solid portrayals-a sorrowful knight with an Americanized accent, a mostly friendly giant and singing books of magic, go far to create a lighthearted and colorful setting. Ages 8-up. Simultaneous release with the Scholastic/Chicken House hardcover (Reviews, Sept. 10). (Sept.)
Copyright 2007 Reed Business InformationSchool Library Journal
Gr 3-5 -Young fans of knights and magic will rejoice in Cornelia Funke's tale (Chicken House, 2007) of adventure, bravery, and chivalry. Igraine was born into a family of magicians but has no desire to learn magic. She dreams of becoming a famous knight to liven up her boring castle life. For her twelfth birthday, she unexpectedly gets her wish when her family's castle is attacked by their greedy neighbor who is trying to steal her family's singing magic books. Since her parents have accidentally turned themselves into pigs, it's up to Igraine and her novice magician brother to save the castle. Xanthe Elbrick's smooth narration adds plenty of flavor to this fanciful tale. Her British accent heightens the medieval charm and her unique voices for the many characters are engaging and amusing.-Karen T. Bilton, Mary Jacobs Memorial Library, Rocky Hill, NJ
Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.