The Sunset Gates [Paperback]

Kathleen Duey (Author), Omar Rayyan (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2002 | Age Level: 7 and up | Series: Unicorn's Secret (Book 5)

Heart must find her family and a safe haven for the unicorns. A drawing in the book from Dunraven's castle shows the same unicorn design as her foundling blanket! Perhaps the book tells more about her family -- but she cannot read it. Searching for a teacher, she finds a blacksmith whose family forge was made by unicorn magic. His old records show that his grandfather made giant iron gates using the same design. If Heart can find those gates perhaps she will find her family -- but will Dunraven's men find her first?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Reviewed with Kathleen Duey's True Heart.

Gr. 2-4. Books in the early-chapter-book Unicorn's Secret series tell the story of Heart Avamir, who ran away from her caregiver in order to protect a unicorn mare and her colt. Along the way she has made friends with a group of gypsies, and in Sunset Gates, the fifth book, she accompanies them while trying to learn more about her own life. She knows that some information she needs is in a book, but learning to read while on the road is practically impossible. She eventually gets assistance from an old enemy turned friend, who not only teaches her to read but also helps her travel to the mountain where she thinks answers may lie. In True Heart, the sixth book of a projected eight, Heart attempts to reunite with the gypsies, but it's difficult to keep the unicorns safe as she travels to a festival where the gypsies are to appear. By the end, though, Heart has made friends with a young lord and acquired a bit more reading skill and another book. Duey continues to write in short, simple sentences while telling a story with texture and excitement, and it's a nice twist for children struggling with reading to find a heroine sharing their difficulties. Susan Dove Lempke
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Kathleen Duey's works include the middle grade series American Diaries and Survival, and the well-reviewed chapter book series The Unicorn's Secret, with a companion series, The Faeries' Promise, launching in Summer 2010 on the Aladdin list. She lives in Fallbrook, California.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin; Original edition (December 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689853467
• ISBN-13: 978-0689853463
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,119 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I have published over 80 books for children of all ages and YA/Adult readers. Many have won state and national awards and all of them have brought me the kind of fan mail that writers love to get.

Two from today's email (Jan 27 11)
Dear Ms. Duey,

I am 8 years old and I live in Catalonia (Spain). I just finished reading your book "Moonsilver" with my mom, and I really liked it. I want to ask you, what was your dream in 3rd grade? I'm asking you because at the end of the book, it says that the series of the Unicorn's Secret books is based on a dream you had in 3rd grade. I am in third grade right now, so I'm really curious!!!
Please tell me

(writer's name)



Dear Ms. Duey,

I loved your book the Unicorn's Secret. Me and my mom read it together. I like your books because I like unicorns and your story was very exciting. I like to draw unicorns. They are one of my favorite animals. I have two stuffed animal unicorns. One is named Sparkle. I sleep with her every night. Did you always want to be a writer? Have you ever seen a real unicorn? I am in 1st grade. I love to read. When I grow up I want to be a animal trainer and I want to train unicorns if I can find one.

LOVE , (writer's name)


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YA readers are writing a lot, too. Most say something like this one:

I have been waiting for the third book in Skin Hunger trilogy forever. Ok not forever but it feels like it. When is it coming out? How long will you make me wait? I love these books and am really needing to know what happens to Sadima and Hahp!!!!!


I know, me, too. Please read below.
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If it is later than 6:30am PST, I am probably writing, even if I am on an airplane. I might be working on a faerie book or writing about unicorns for grade school kids, or I could be lost in something dark, detailed, and strange for YA/adult readers. The third book in the Resurrection of Magic Trilogy is dragging me through the woods. I am working on it every day, and am Skying instead of traveling to schools and libraries until I get it DONE. It's taking wild amazing turns and I love it.

If I am not working...I might be answering readers who contact me through my website: http://www.kathleenduey.com Thanks to everyone who gets in touch with me on Facebook, my blog, http://kathleenduey.blogspot.com/, Twitter, and all the other ways to reach me. I can't keep up anymore, but I try to answer questions and I send out signed bookplates when I can. It means so much to know that you like my books.

I appear at schools, bookstores, and teach at writers' conferences nationwide and internationally. There is a schedule on my website and I try to keep it current.
And more and more... I Skype. It's a wonderful way to meet readers in classrooms and at libraries, I love to drop in on book clubs and critique groups, then get back to work!

Book news: The Unicorn's Secret books are getting lovely new covers by Sandara Tang, an amazing artist based in Singapore. The fan mail astounds me.
Sandara is the cover artist for the new kid's series The Faerie's Promise, too. Excerpts from all my books are on http://www.kathleenduey.com

YA NOVEL ONLINE/IN PROGRESS: RUSSET fans: http://russet-one-wing.blogspot.com/
I am accumulating entries and will tag you all when there is more to read. Give me your contact info and I will add you to the alert list. kathleenduey at earthlink dot net

The third book of my YA/adult trilogy is in the works now. I don't have a release date yet because I still writing like MAD. But it will be ASAP, I promise. The story is taking amazing turns and dragging me through the woods the way the first two did. Thanks!!!! to the thousands of people asking when it will come out.

You have no idea how happy that makes me.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The Sunset Gates, February 12, 2010

By 

T. Jordan (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Sunset Gates (Paperback)

I bought this book for my 10 year old daughter to read. She has been reading the series and she loves them. They are a great first reader chapter book for kids. She didn't feel intimadated at all' like she did with some other book series. It's a great started set.