DRAGONS, UNICORNS, WIZARDS AND MORE!

Dragon Slayers' Academy by K. H. McMullan   (New York, NY : Grosset & Dunlop)

Fun and often very silly series about a group of children attending a special school that promises to teach them how to stalk and stay dragons!   (Ages 7 - 10)

Unicorns of Balinor by Mary Stanton   (New York, NY :  Scholastic)

Fantasy series, involving Princess Arianna and her unicorn who journey from Earth back to their home of Balinor, a land of unicorns and magic, on their quest to battle the dark forces that have banished her parents.   (Ages 8 - up)

The Bookstore Mouse by Peggy Christian   (San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace & Co., 1995)

A mouse living in a bookstore literally falls into an old book and joins a medieval tale where a young scribe who dreams of becoming a knight enters on a quest to defeat the dragon, Censor.   (Ages 9 - up)

Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi   (New York, NY :  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

Three children find a book in the old, run-down house where they have recently moved into.   They soon discover that the book is a field guide to brownies, fairies, goblins, and many other magical creatures living all around them.   (Ages 9 - up)

Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda   (New York, NY : Greenwillow Books, 2001)

Six villagers are sent on a mission to climb the mountain and discover the reason behind the disappearance of their water supply, rumoured to be linked to a dragon.   Though weak and timid, young Rowan is forced to join the quest, as he is the only person who can read the magical map necessary to complete their journey.   (Ages 9 - up)

The Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander   (New York, NY: Henry Holt & Company, 1964)

Taran begins his adventures as an assistant pig-keeper, but during his battles to save the land of Prydain from the forces of evil, becomes a hero.   Many unlikely companions join Taran on his quests, proving the importance of friendship and loyalty.   (Ages 9 - up)

The Dragonslayers by Bruce Coville   (New York, NY:  Pocket Books, 1994)

Wilhelmina ("Willie") is a princess who is determined not to follow the traditional path and marry a dragonslayer.   Instead, she sets out on a quest, along with several unusual companions, to defeat the terrible dragon, created by the evil and vengeful witch, Grizelda.   (Ages 9 - up)

The BFG by Roald Dahl   (New York, NY: Puffin Books, 1982)

Sophie joins forces with a kindly giant, the BFG, to try to stop the evil plan of the other giants to capture and guzzle children!   (Ages 10 - up)

Half Magic by Deward Eager   (San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace & Co, 1954)

Expecting a very boring summer, four children discover a magic coin which grants wishes, but only "by half."   Soon their summer becomes anything but boring, as the children find that making wishes quickly lands them in very unusual, and often hilarious, situations.   (Ages 10 - up)

The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson   (Thorndike, ME: Thorndike Press, 1994)

Four magical characters embark on a quest to find and rescue the young prince who had been kidnapped nine years ago and taken to London through a tunnel which only opens every nine years, for nine days.   (Ages 10 - up)

The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis   (New York, NY:   HarperCollins, 1998)

Four children enter the magical land of Narnia and join Aslan, the great lion, in his battle against evil forces.   (Ages 10 - up)

Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang by Mordecai Richler   (Toronto, ON: McClelland and Stewart, 1975)

Jacob is the youngest in his family and finds that the only way to be heard is to say everything twice!   While out on an errand, he falls asleep and wakes to find himself in another world, where he is arrested and imprisoned by the terrible Slimers.   Together with his newfound friends, he must use his wits to defeat their jailer, the Hooded Fang.   (Ages 10 - up)

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede   (San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace & Co, 1990)

A princess becomes an assistant to a dragon in order to escape traditional palace life, and soon finds herself joining the battle against wizards who are threatening the dragons' kingdom.   (Ages 10 - up)

The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley   (New York, NY: Greenwillow Books, 1985)

Aerin, daughter of the king, faces many challenges, including the Black Dragon and the evil mage, Agsded, in her quest to learn the truth about her mother and fulfill her destiny as rightful heir of Damar.   (Ages 12 - up)

Children's Services, Red Deer Public Library/2004