Beautiful ( )

A Bronze-Age historical fantasy told in prose and verse about life on an island which sends a yearly tribute to the Bull King, a tribute which includes two thirteen year olds for his bull dances.

When the snake priestess’s daughter is born with extra thumbs, it’s seen as an omen that she cannot be her mother’s successor. Aissa is smuggled away to a farming family, but a few years later, she’s separated from them by a raider attack and becomes a lowly, nameless servant in the priestess’s household.

This is intriguing and poignant. When Aissa's foster-mama hid her from the raiders, she told Aissa to stay quiet until she returns -- and so Aissa does not speak. But she is smart and resourceful, and her changing circumstances not just keep the story interesting but allow it to show more of what life on the island is like.

The wind howls so strong
she can hardly walk,
the rain lashes so hard
she can hardly see,
but she hears from somewhere
goats bleating,
ble-aah, ble-aahing
and remembers Lanni the goatherd,
“Our summer cave is nearby,
If you need help.”
Aissa doesn’t know how
to ask for help
but this might be
the time to learn. ( )

Dragonfly Song has just been awarded a silver Honour Book certificate by the CBCA. A well-deserved accolade. Here's my review from last year.

http://readingtime.com.au/dragonfly-song/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_mediu... ( )

I haven't felt this enchanted with a book since I read "Serafina and the Black Cloak." High praise for the writing style and kudos for the beautiful book cover illustration! I was honored to read this book and hope that one or all of my granddaughters will someday read it too and be just as smitten.

Thank you to Pajama Press for a copy for my review. ( )