The Dragon Charmer [Paperback]

Douglas Hill (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Elynne, the daughter of a dragon charmer, is the unlikely heroine of this fantastical children's story. Despite being shy and easily frightened by the ferocious creatures that her father keeps, a connection emerges between a royal baby dragon and Elynne. Given confidence by their friendship, Elynne finds the courage to come to the dragon prince's rescue and save the day.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Elynne is not a brave girl but in this literally charming story, Douglas Hill shows us how love can make heroines of the most unlikely people." Mary Hoffman"

About the Author

Douglas Hill is a journalist and writer for both adults and children. He is the author of the Warriors of the Wasteland trilogy.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 151 pages
• Publisher: Barn Owl Books (April 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1903015367
• ISBN-13: 978-1903015360
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,354,190 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

5.0 out of 5 stars Courage, January 6, 2012

By 

Tracy Christenson "dictionary enchantress" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dragon Charmer (Paperback)

This is a great fantasy story about a girl who learns to face her fears and persevere in spite of them. It has a good moral and is encouraging to anyone who failed at something but wanted to try again.

Elynne Danneby is afraid of dragons, which is a shame because her family makes its living by dragon charming. Every year, the dragons stop by her family's farm on their migratory path, and Elynne's father puts on a show for people who come to see the dragons. By playing a special tune on his pipes, Dan Danneby can put the dragons into a trance and safely walk among them. Only certain people have the ability to charm dragons. Elynne possesses that talent, but she has been unable to use it since she made a mistake while trying to charm dragons when she was a small child. They tried to attack her, and her father had to save her from them. Ever since, the dragons have terrified Elynne, but she is still fascinated by them and desperately wants to conquer her fear in order to charm them like her father does. Then, one day, a rare crimson dragon comes to the farm and lays an egg. It is extremely uncommon to see a dragon's nest or a baby dragon, and Dan is excited about trying to charm the baby after the egg hatches. However, Dan's assistant is greedy and decides to steal the egg and sell it. Elynne overheard him talk about his plans before the egg was stolen, but because she wasn't sure of what she heard, she didn't tell anyone. Elynne feels guilty about not preventing the theft of the egg, and in spite of her fear, she is determined to get it back. In the process, she not only conquers her fear but learns about a talent that she never realized she had.

5.0 out of 5 stars book, April 2, 2008

By 

Maria (NY, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Dragon Charmer (Paperback)

My daughter enjoyed the book and wished it was longer. Hopes there will be a sequel someday.

4.0 out of 5 stars PERFECT FOR CHILDREN, June 12, 2007

By 

DRAGON FREAK "LOU" (TN) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Dragon Charmer (Paperback)

THIS IS A GOOD BOOK FOR KIDS EASING INTO NOVLES. IT'S ABOUT A 12 YEAR OLD GIRL WHO'S FATHER CAN TAME DRAGONS BY PLAYING HIS PIPES. IT IS A RARE GIFT TO CHARM DRAGONS WITH MUSIC AND THE GIRL FEELS SHE IS A DISAPOINTMENT BECAUSE SHE IS TERRIFIED OF DRAGONS AND CAN'T PLAY THE PIPES. BUT WHEN A FLOCK OF DRAGONS NESTLES IN A LITTLE VALLEY IN FRONT OF THEIR FARM A CRIMSON QUEEN (BIGGER THAN ALL THE OTHER DRAGONS) STAYS LONGER THAN THE REST TO LAY HER EGG AND NEST IN THE CHARMER'S BARN TO HATCH IT. NILES IS THE VILLIAN WHO WANTS TO STEAL THE EGG AND MAKE A FORTUNE BY SHOWING IT TO PEOPLE. MAMA GETS VERY ANGERY AND BADLY INJURES ELYNNE'S FATHER WHILE CRASHING THOUGH THE BARN'S ROOF AND GOES OFF IN SHURCH OF HER EGG. ELYNNE FEELING RESPONSIBLE FOR SHE OVER HEARD NILES SPEAKING TO ANONTHER PERSON ABOUT STEALING THE EGG GOES OF TO THEIR HIDEOUT AND STEALS THE EGG BACK. ON HER WAY HOME THE EGG HATCHES (UH-OH BIG TROUBLE THERE) ELYNNE MUST QUICKLY GET HOME AND SHOW EVERYONE BEFORE THE BAD GUYS GET THERE. WHEN SHE GETS BACK HOME HER FAMILY IS AMAZED SHE DID ALL THOSE THINGS BY HERSELF BUT THEIR JOY IS CUT SHORT BY THE BAD GUYS INTRUSION AND THE BABY PRINCE FLIES TO THE BARN. ELYNNE CLEVERLY TRICKS NILES AND HURRIES TO THE BARN WHERE SHE AND THE PRINCE HIDE UNTIL ONE OF THE BAD GUYS USES HER FAMILY TO GET HER TO COME OUT OF HER HIDING SPOT. WHEN THE BAD GUYS TRY TO TAKE THE BABY DRAGON FROM HER THE PRINCE MAKES SO MUCH NOISE THAT MAMA CRASHES THROUGH THE BARN ROOF AGAIN NILES AND ONE OF THE BAD GUYS GET CAUGHT IN THE DEBRIS AND HER FAMILY PLUS TWO OTHER BAD GUYS ARE THROWN OUT OF THE BARN. ELYNNE IS VERY LUCKY THAT THE QUEEN REALISES HER BABY IS UNHARMED THE TWO START CROONING TOGETHER AND ELYNNE HUMMES THE DRAGON CHRAMER SONG. WHILE SHE IS SINGING THE TWO REACT THE SAME WAY OTHER DRAGONS ACT WHEN HER FATHER PLAYS THE PIPES, SHE CONTINUES TO SING UNTIL SHE MAKES OUTSIDE TO HER FAMILY. ONCE ELYNNE STOPS SINGING THE QUEEN TAKES HER BABY IN HER CLAWS AND FLYIES AWAY. ELYNNE'S FATHER IS SO PROUD OF HER THAT AT THE END OF THE BOOK HE PUTS UP A SIGN "DAN AND DAUGHTER - DRAGON CHARMERS".