Dragon Castle
Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 09:48PM 
After all was said and done, I was honored to write the text to accompany Dragon Castle by Joseph Bruchac (Dial) on this year's list of Cybils finalists in Middle Grade Fantasy and Science Fiction. Writing these little paeans to literary achievement and kid appeal is tricky; they have to be concise (mine is 111 words, not counting the exclamation) yet convincing, and above all, they have to make you want to read the book. Which I hope you do.
By the head of the dragon! It’s a good thing Prince Rashko, the sensible second son, is around to defend the royal family’s ancestral castle when Baron Temny and his army of invaders move in, because he’s not going to get much help from his parents (called away to the Silver Lands) or his brother (bewitched by the beautiful Princess Poteshenie). Drawing on Slovakian proverbs and folklore, Bruchac alternates—and eventually intertwines—Rashko’s story with that of the hero Pavol, also depicted in a mysterious tapestry that hangs on the castle walls. The result is high fantasy laced with history and humor, action and adventure, as Rashko and the reader alike uncover the secrets of Dragon Castle.
I like to think I'm getting better at writing these (this is the third year I've been a first-round Cybils panelist; I wrote the blurbs for Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve (Scholastic) in 2010 and Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman (HarperCollins) in 2009), but there's always more to say. I'm still sorry I wasn't able to work the giant, telepathic wolves into the final copy.
I would love to know, though: Would you read Dragon Castle? Why or why not? Because, ahem, you should.
Admin, Awards, Fantasy, Middle grade
Reader Comments (11)
I'll read it -- I liked your summary. Of course, you had many things going for you -- I'm trying to read all the finalists, but some I'm looking forward to more than others. This one looks good.
Also, I just started a book club for my kids' elementary school, and the first book we read was by Bruchac (Skeleton Man), and with the success of the first meeting I'm excited to see anything new by him.
I thought your blurb was really good as well. The book sounds interesting and fun.
Great blurb. The cover of the book is breathtaking.
I am so loving this comment challenge because it's introducing me to new blogs. I will totally be sticking around to hear more of your thoughts. And am now going over to Goodreads to add Dragon Castle to my TBR list!
Giant telepathic wolves???? Wait, that sounds really good. It is definitely an art, and you're doing a great job!
Namaste (and thanks for being part of the Comment Challenge)
Lee
That was a great blurb - really engaging - makes me want to read the book.
Hi Anamaria, sounds like an interesting book. I was also wanting to look in to how you guys defined fantasy - I was really surprised to see the Patrick ness book in this category, as I would never have called it fantasy. Yes there's a giant, but it's a metaphor, not a story really set in a fantasy world. Still, glad to see it is in the shortlist, and if Dragon Castle is as good as that I can't wait to read it!
I have enjoyed reading Bruchac's books and this one looks good; your blurb is just right, giving enough information to interest me. I like that last line, which includes quite a lot in so few words!
Hi Anamaria! I enjoyed reading your blurb. I'm a writer and reader of young adult fantasy. What drew me in was the sentence "Drawing on Slovakian proverbs and folklore...a mysterious tapestry that hangs on the castle walls." A very interesting concept. Looking forward to reading DRAGON CASTLE.
Thanks for your comments, everyone! I really appreciate your feedback. Please let me know if you do read Dragon Castle--I would love to know what you (and your students) think.
And Zoe, that's a great question (how do the Cybils define fantasy?). I don't have the Official Definition, but I'm working on a post about A Monster Calls as well as some other questionably fantastic (in the genre sense!) titles on our list so we can Discuss. Thanks for asking!
Great blurb. The result caught my attention. I would read a book with high fantasy laced with history and humor, action and adventure.