Falcon’s Egg by Luli Gray

Illustrator: n/a
Series: n/a
Publisher: Demco Media Inc.

Stars: ****

The title is a little misleading because it make you think the egg belongs to a falcon bird. However in this case, the girl’s name is Falcon and the egg she finds is that of a dragon!

I enjoyed this story, as the particulars of the dragon, from egg to adolescence are believable. What I mean is, although I’ve never seen a dragon, if one does exist, I could see it looking like and behaving like it does in the story. The 11-year-old girl is also dealing with her own issues. Her father’s not around and she doesn’t really have any friends and is constantly teased at school.

This book is followed by Falcon and the Charles Street Witch by Luli Gray, which I will also be reading for these two challenges.

Witch Twins by Adele Griffin

Illustrator: Jaqueline Rogers
Series: none
Publisher: Hyperion Books for children

Witch Twins is the story of twin sisters Claire and Luna who are witches. Their Grandmother is a 5-star witch while the girls haven't even reached 1-star yet. Their father is getting remarried to a woman neither of the girls likes. What can they do to stop it

This book is recommended for ages 7-10 and I can certainly see why kids (mostly girls) in that age group would like this book. It sounds like it was written by a child in that the author captured what tween girls sound and act like. The story was fun to read.

Although witches in this book are different from witches in real life, I still recommend it. Just explain to your child or better yet, have them explain to you what the similarities and differences are.

Zenda: A New Dimension by Ken Petti and John Amodeo

Illustrator: None - novel
Series: Zenda see here for books in order
Publisher: Grosset and Dunlap

The second book in the series. Another great novel about a girl living on the planet Azureblue and her quest to find the pieces of her gazing ball. This time Zenda enters a different dimension to learn her lessons and find her musings.

See Zenda and the Gazing Ball for more general book information on this series.

Zenda and the Gazing Ball by Ken Petti and John Amodeo

Also Written with Cassandra Westwood
Illustrator: None
Series: Zenda see here for books in order
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap

This is a novel about a girl who lives on planet Azureblue. Here, all children receive a gazing ball when they are born but it is locked away till they are 121/2. Then they have a special ceremony where they are presented with their balls. They keep it with them for the next 6 months and it gives them 13 musings. After each they must study and learn from it. They have to do with who the children are and who they will become. On the day they turn 13 they will have received all musings and will also receive their magical gift. Everyone on Azureblue has a gift.

Zenda learns a valuable lesson in this book about impatience. A good book for girls who are interested in all things magical and those who need to learn to be more patient.