Book Reviews by Kids - September 2004

Dealing with Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles

by Patricia C. Wrede

All Cimorene wanted to do was be a princess for a respectable dragon. Certainly her parents would never say no to that, the way they refused her taking fencing, cooking and magic lessons. She didn't want to be rescued. She just wanted to cook and clean for her dragon, Kazul. But as always, her parents won't listen. They insist on sending princes and knights daily in a steady stream to "save" her from the dragon. To top it off, Zemenar, the wizard, and his son Antorell are hatching an evil plot to take over the ruling of the dragons. What's a princess to do?

This was a highly entertaining book. It was interesting, with the wizards' plot providing enough action to keep you reading, and enough humor to keep you laughing. It gently made fun of everything about fairytales, from Cimorene volunteering to be a dragon's princess, to her prissy sisters and parent's cries of "It simply isn't done!" to the absurdly noble rescuers who don't spread the word about Cimorene not wanting to be rescued for fear it might be gossiping. The characters are great, especially the resourceful, determined and spunky Cimorene. Anyone who reads it will not be able to put it down..

Reviewed by Princess Toenails - age 14

The Sword of the Rightful King: A Novel of King Arthur

by Jane Yolen

Sir Gawaine is a faithful knight of the round table, but his mother hates King Arthur. As he and his brothers come back from a visit home, Gawaine is sure his mother sent an assassin to murder Arthur, but the question is who is the assassin? This book is really good and combines great features of fantasy and mystery along with things completely unexpected everywhere.

Reviewed by Dude Man - Age 12

The S.O.S. File

by Betsy Byars

There is this class and they have made this S.O.S. File of all their emergencies. One of the emergencies was about this guy who got a yellow-jacket sting and went into the girls' bathroom. How embarrassing.

Come read a good book and read about someone who, for a S.O.S., writes up all the excuses of why she didn't do a S.O.S. If you don't believe me and don't read this book, then you're missing out on a great book. So, check it out at a library close to you.

Reviewed by Peach - Age 9

Curious George Goes to the Movie

by H.A. Rey

There is a monkey and this guy. They go to a movie and the guy goes to get popcorn and the monkey sees the light that makes the movie. The monkey goes into the room and does hand tricks. That's my favorite part. It's funny.

Reviewed by Sports Guy - Age 7