Firework-Maker's Daughter (After Words) [Paperback]

Philip Pullman (Author), S. Saelig Gallagher (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Series: After Words

A thousand miles ago, in a country east of the jungle and south of the mountains, there lived a firework-maker named Lalchand and his daughter, Lila. Lila's learned from her father almost all there is to know about making fireworks. But he's held back the final secret, the most dangerous one, saying Lila's not ready to know. Not to be deterred, the headstrong girl enlists the help of her friend Chulak, and discovers that anyone who wants to be a true Firework-Maker must face down the Fire-Fiend of Mount Merapi, and bring back some of the Royal Sulphur. So Lila sets off fearlessly, ready to face pirates and demons and anything else that gets in her way.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"A thousand miles ago, in a country east of the jungle and south of the mountains, there lived a firework-maker called Lalchand and his daughter, Lila."

Lila, the heroine of Philip Pullman's charming fable, was, as a baby, "a cross little thing, always crying and refusing her food, but Lalchand built a cradle for her in the corner of the workshop, where she could see the sparks play and listen to the fizz and crackle of the gunpowder." Once out of her cradle, she showed a marked talent for pyrotechnics, even inventing her own fireworks with names like Tumbling Demons and Shimmering Coins. Nevertheless, when Lila tells her father she'd like to become a master firework-maker, he's shocked. Firework-making is no job for a girl, he tells her; besides, with her burned fingers and singed eyebrows, he's afraid he'll never be able to find a husband for her.

If Lalchand is horrified by Lila's ambitions, his daughter is equally appalled by the prospect of a husband. Instead, she decides to run away to Mount Merapi, where every firework-maker must go to claim some of the royal sulphur from Razvani the Fire-Fiend. Lila's adventures on the road to Merapi alternate with those of her best friend, Chulak, and his talking white elephant, Hamlet, who set out after her when they learn something that could mean life or death for Lila. Along the way, they meet pirates, wild animals, and supernatural beings of every stripe until, at last, Lila must face the scariest obstacle of all: her own fear. Pullman invests The Firework-Maker's Daughter with wit, wonder, and more than a few goose bumps. The charm of the prose is reflected in the black and white illustrations by S. Saelig Gallagher that punctuate this slim novel. Though not as sophisticated as Pullman's remarkable fantasy novels The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife, this engaging story does share a courageous heroine, an exciting adventure, and a singular philosophy that ties everything together in a deeply satisfying denouement. (Ages 9 to 12) --Alix Wilber --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

"This comical adventure about a girl who longs to follow in her father's footsteps crackles with Pullman's usual flair," said PW. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic (May 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439856248
• ISBN-13: 978-0439856249
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,402,369 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another delightful tale from Philip Pullman, January 15, 2000

By 

Jennifer Mo - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Firework-Maker's Daughter (Hardcover)

Philip Pullman never ceases to amaze me with his versatility-- from the complex His Dark Materials series, to his gothic (and surprisingly funny) Count Karlestein, to the creepy Clockwork... The Firework-Maker's Daughter is different from anything I've read by Pullman before, and yet it possesses his trademark wit. Short and aimed at a younger audience, The Firework-Maker's Daughter is nonetheless a lot of fun for even older readers. Lila and her various friends and types of fireworks are absolutely charming. While Pullman's tone is decidedly more satirical than Lloyd Alexander's, if you liked either Alexander's quest-type books or Philip Pullman's other works, you'll enjoy this one.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Explosive!, November 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Firework-Maker's Daughter (Hardcover)

I loved the cast of colourful characters that fill this book. I think my favourite was uncle Rambashi - the failed chicken farmer and part-time pirate. An engaging story with a strong female protagonist - explosive!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An engaging short book with wonderful language!, April 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Firework-Maker's Daughter (Hardcover)

I read this book to my 2 kids (7 and 10) and they loved it! The tale is an engaging, not too- predictable story of a girl who wants to follow her father's trade. There is much rich langugage and a variety of characters all neatly brought together and woven into the story. There is much imagination and wry wit. If you are looking for a fairly short (just over 100 pages) slightly fantasy/fiction book for your kids, give this one a try!