Breath of the Dragon [Paperback]

Gail Giles (Author)

Book Description

Malila doesn't know what to expect when her mother leaves her at her grandmother's house in a small village in Thailand. Grandmother tells young Malila that her mother has gone to America to make a new life. As the years go by, Malila hears Grandmother's stories and learns the traditions of their country. Malila learns too what it means to be an outsider due to a family secret that turns the villagers against her. When Malila is taunted by her classmates, Grandmother tells her "the dragon has breathed upon you today. The dragon's breath brings great pain and sorrow, but it can turn coal into diamond." It's not until Malila discovers her own special talent that she can finally gain sanouk, the joy of living.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 4-7. Giles' poetic novel tells the story of Malila, a young Thai girl whose mother leaves her in the care of her grandmother after her father's sudden death. Later when she starts school, Malila learns that her father was a thief, and the village shuns her as unlucky. During her years at the village school, she repeatedly feels the "breath of the dragon" through the pain of rejection, loneliness, and self-doubt. As she grows to adolescence, Malila's world is dominated by her grandmother's ways and traditional Thai customs, and she finds solace in drawing pictures to accompany the stories her grandmother tells. Her artistic talent is eventually recognized and encouraged by a teacher, and as the story ends, Malila realizes the richness of her own gifts and heritage. The story is simply written, and the beauty of the Thai culture emerges on every page. A brief glossary helps with unfamiliar Thai words. Susan DeRonne --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

A young village girl in Thailand is introduced to early sorrows when her father is branded a thief and shot by police. In shame, her mother flees to America, leaving the unknowing Malila in the care of her wise grandmother. Malila joins her grandmother in threading a garland of orchids and jasmine for the san phra phum, the spirit house. This marks the beginning of Grandmother's reverential guidance in the many traditions of their country. When her father is pronounced suay, or unlucky, Malila is an outcast, and finds her own way through her love of drawing and her grandmother's life lessons, from listening to the voice of the river to attending a kite contest. When her grandmother dies and Malila has to leave for America, she carries with her the inner strength to gain sanouk, the joy of living. Strong, sympathetic characters and the evocative Thai setting are an integral part of this well-told story with the universal theme of overcoming adversity; it's a quick read, but a rich one, and a humble obeisance to the uncertainties of growing up. (b&w illustrations, not seen, glossary) (Fiction. 8-11) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (November 10, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440414962
• ISBN-13: 978-0440414964
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,602,386 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Teachers---Take Note!, May 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Breath of the Dragon (Paperback)

By the time I was reading the final three chapters aloud to my class, there was not a dry eye amongst my charges.

I had my students write letters to Malila (the main character) and the depth of empathy revealed in this assignment pored its soul in their expression.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Subtle and beautiful, April 19, 2000

By 

Kcroy - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Breath of the Dragon (Hardcover)

BREATH OF THE DRAGON is a beautiful book, subtle, its language spare and poetic. It is the story of Malila, a young Thai girl who comes to live with her grandmother after a family crisis. Malila's grandmother is a wonderful person, creating an atmosphere where the little girl's artistic talents can flourish and where she can feel safe and loved. Within this story Giles seamlessly interweaves fascinating information about the customs and culture of Thailand. I highly recommend this book and eagerly await more works by Gail Giles!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly Moving!, June 27, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Breath of the Dragon (Hardcover)

I used to live in Thailand and I was worried how true to the culture the book was going to be. Not to worry, this book is wonderful. I can't believe how good it is. I'm glad I bought it and will highly recommend it to my Peace Corps friends.