The Dragonfly Pool
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Overview
A beloved New York Times bestselling author returns to paper!
At first Tally doesn't want to go to the boarding school called Delderton. But soon she discovers that it's a wonderful place, where freedom and selfexpression are valued. Enamored of Bergania, a erene and peaceful country led by a noble king, Tally organizes a dance troupe to attend the international folk dancing festival there. There she meets Karil, the crown prince, who wants nothing more than ordinary friends. But when Karil's father is assassinated, it's up to Tally and her friends to help Karil escape the Nazis and the bleak future he's inherited.
Synopsis
At first Tally doesn't want to go to the boarding school called Delderton. But she soon discovers that it is a wonderful place where freedom and selfexpression are valued. Tally organizes a ragtag dance troupe so the school can participate in an international folk dancing festival in Bergania in the summer of 1939. There she befriends Karil, the crown prince, who would love nothing more than to have ordinary friends and attend a school like Delderton. When Karil's father is assassinated, it is up to Tally and her friends to help Karil escape the Nazis and the bleak future he has inherited.
VOYA
Free-spirited educators, exotic pets, experiential classes-welcome to Delderton Hall, a progressive boarding school in England on the cusp of World War II. Meet Tally, the twelve-year-old inquisitive, determined, adventurous scholarship student who, along with readers, discovers the delights of outdoor biology with diverse classmates. With Hitler on the move, tense action migrates to the fictional monarchy of Bergania when students attend a folk-dancing festival organized by the king who refuses to "Heil." Assassins, spies, and thugs disturb the joyful gathering. Although political at times, the novel focuses mainly on friendships and interpersonal level freedom. Although Tally is the center of this omniscient tale, award-winning Austrian British author Ibbotson creates multiple, clearly delineated, memorable characters-both middle schoolers and adults. Taste, for example, the description of two aunts as "plump turnip-shaped ladies with big bosoms and short legs, like roots." Inviting sporadic sketches dot the manuscript. Readers become familiar with a sackbutt, rugger, rusks, and sayings such as, "You cannot stop the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can stop them nesting in your hair." Historical fiction through the eyes of sensitive youth who want to make friends and continue education in a world upended makes for a compelling, satisfying read. Ibbotson's novel, fairly fast paced and generally light in tone, would make a dynamic companion to the darker Goodnight, Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian (Harper, 1982/VOYA June 1982), which also takes place before and during the London Blitz. Reviewer: Patti Sylvester Spencer
Editorials
VOYA -
Free-spirited educators, exotic pets, experiential classes-welcome to Delderton Hall, a progressive boarding school in England on the cusp of World War II. Meet Tally, the twelve-year-old inquisitive, determined, adventurous scholarship student who, along with readers, discovers the delights of outdoor biology with diverse classmates. With Hitler on the move, tense action migrates to the fictional monarchy of Bergania when students attend a folk-dancing festival organized by the king who refuses to "Heil." Assassins, spies, and thugs disturb the joyful gathering. Although political at times, the novel focuses mainly on friendships and interpersonal level freedom. Although Tally is the center of this omniscient tale, award-winning Austrian British author Ibbotson creates multiple, clearly delineated, memorable characters-both middle schoolers and adults. Taste, for example, the description of two aunts as "plump turnip-shaped ladies with big bosoms and short legs, like roots." Inviting sporadic sketches dot the manuscript. Readers become familiar with a sackbutt, rugger, rusks, and sayings such as, "You cannot stop the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can stop them nesting in your hair." Historical fiction through the eyes of sensitive youth who want to make friends and continue education in a world upended makes for a compelling, satisfying read. Ibbotson's novel, fairly fast paced and generally light in tone, would make a dynamic companion to the darker Goodnight, Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian (Harper, 1982/VOYA June 1982), which also takes place before and during the London Blitz. Reviewer: Patti Sylvester SpencerChildren's Literature -
When an opportunity to send his daughter to a boarding school in South Devon arises, Dr. Hamilton decides she must go. Tally would rather stay at home in London but this is 1939 and the threat of war with Germany is on the horizon. London is bracing for heavy bombardment and Dr. Hamilton would like her to be safely out of the city. While attending the cinema with one of the other Delderton boarders, Tally is quite taken by a travelogue about the country of Bergania. When the Bergania Minister of Culture invites a group of children from Delderton to attend a Folk Dance Festival, Tally convinces the faculty and students that they must attend. While in Bergania, the King, who was determined to keep his country neutral, is assassinated. Tally and her friends must save Prince Karil by smuggling him out of the country. Masterful storytelling carries the reader from the first to the last page of this novel. With its vivid settings, memorable characters, and intriguing and suspenseful story line, readers will be completely satisfied. I highly recommend this for book clubs. It is a book that just begs to be discussed and shared. There are many lines and phrases which can lead to discussions such as, "Giving in to bullying has never been a wise policy." Readers will gain insight into patriotism, what it means to be a friend, and what it takes to be a hero. Reviewer: Sharon SalluzzoSchool Library Journal
Gr 5-8
Tally, 11, attends Delderton, a progressive boarding school in the Devon countryside, and though she doesn't want to leave her loving father, London in 1939 is not very safe. As it turns out, she thrives there, good-naturedly setting herself to solving the problems of students and staff alike. When Bergania, whose king has refused to let Hitler's armies march through his (fictional) country, announces an international children's folk-dancing festival, Tally convinces her school to attend. During their visit, the king is assassinated, and she and the Delderton troupe rescue 12-year-old Prince Karil and smuggle him to England. Kept virtually imprisoned by his snooty wellborn relatives, Karil longs for a normal life, and eventually finds a way to escape his royal obligations, attend the school, and be reunited with his friends. Tally has a bit of Sara Crewe about her; she is singularly compassionate and generous, beloved by almost all who meet her. Her worries and imperfections make her wisdom lovely rather than irritating. Prince Karil and several adults receive meticulous and fascinating character development, but many others remain one-dimensional, known mainly by their eccentric traits. The unsympathetic characters are easy to dislike, so unremittingly negative is their depiction. Although the battle between good and evil is painted with a broad brush, Ibbotson treats most issues with a wise, subtle, and humorous touch; her writing is sublime. The satisfying epilogue, set six years later, will have readers giggling through their tears.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library