⋙ Download Dragon Castle Joseph Bruchac 9780803733763 Books

Dragon Castle Joseph Bruchac 9780803733763 Books

Download As PDF : Dragon Castle Joseph Bruchac 9780803733763 Books

Dragon Castle Joseph Bruchac 9780803733763 Books

Joseph Bruchac
Dragon Castle

I just finished DRAGON CASTLE, seeing in it a metaphor for our times, perhaps all times, in the struggle against those who would take over and drain all the good from a kingdom, nation, person. Standing strong and together, showing kindness, and using one’s wits can bring us through.
Based on myths from Slovakia, but universally applicable, it’s a well-written book that captured and held my attention, designated juvenile fiction, but I’d heartily recommend it for adults as well.
A few quotes of wisdom (non-spoilers, of course):
“. . . making friends was one of those needful tasks . . . his guardians told him that a man with no friends is not a man at all. . . to know how to work, one must also learn how to play.”
“Without laughter we humans would . . . have been crushed by the weight of the past and its sorrows”
“Juggling is not just an amusement. It tunes the senses.”
“I have an unusually sticky mind. It’s rather like facts are iron filings and my mind is a magnet. Sometimes it feels like I remember far too much.”


Tags : Dragon Castle [Joseph Bruchac] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Young Prince Rashko is frustrated with his family - no one does any thinking but him! The kingdom and castle seem to be in the hands of fools. So when Rashko's parents mysteriously disappear and the evil Baron Temny parks his army outside the castle walls,Joseph Bruchac,Dragon Castle,Dial Books,0803733763,Animals - Dragons, Unicorns & Mythical,Fantasy & Magic,Royalty,Dragons,Fairy tales,Kings and rulers,Kings, queens, rulers, etc,Kings, queens, rulers, etc.;Fiction.,Princes,Princes;Fiction.,Wisdom,Wisdom;Fiction.,CHILDREN'S FICTION FANTASY,Children's BooksAges 9-12 Fiction,Children: Grades 4-6,Fiction,Fiction-Fantasy,JUVENILE,JUVENILE FICTION Action & Adventure General,JUVENILE FICTION Animals Dragons, Unicorns & Mythical,JUVENILE FICTION Fantasy & Magic,JUVENILE FICTION Humorous Stories,JUVENILE FICTION Royalty,Juvenile Fiction,Juvenile Grades 4-6 Ages 9-11,Kings, queens, rulers, etc.,Science fiction (Children's Teenage),United States,fantasy books for kids age 9 12; magic; kids books ages 9-12; fantasy; books for kids age 9 12; books for boys age 9 12; childrens books by age 9 to 12; chapter books for kids age 9-12; fantasy books; books for girls age 9 12; books for 10 year old boys; books for 10 year old girls; books for 12 year old girls; 5th grade books; books for 11 year old girls; books for 13 year old girls; books for 11 year old boys; 5th grade reading books; young adult fantasy books; books for 9 year old girls; teen books; young adult,fantasy books for kids age 9 12;magic;kids books ages 9-12;fantasy;books for kids age 9 12;books for 10 year old girls;fantasy books;books for 11 year old girls;chapter books for kids age 9-12;girls books ages 9-12;books for boys age 9 12;books for 12 year old girls;5th grade reading books;books for 13 year old girls;5th grade books;books for 10 year old boys;books for 12 year old boys;books for 9 year old boys;adventure books;teen books;funny gifts;funny books;young adult;humor,JUVENILE FICTION Action & Adventure General,JUVENILE FICTION Animals Dragons, Unicorns & Mythical,JUVENILE FICTION Fantasy & Magic,JUVENILE FICTION Humorous Stories,JUVENILE FICTION Royalty,Children's BooksAges 9-12 Fiction,Fiction,Kings, queens, rulers, etc.,Juvenile Fiction,Children: Grades 4-6,Science fiction (Children's Teenage)

Dragon Castle Joseph Bruchac 9780803733763 Books Reviews

Joseph Bruchac brought us a very endearing story of family love, commitment and durability. I loved reading "The Dragon Castle" It's a quick read that is great for any age especially those readers that can't get enough of once upon a times in castles with dragons, kings, queens, princes, princesses and,of course, the vengeful bad wizard. I adored the underlining message of this sweet tale - the importance of family. No matter how different Paulek feels from the rest of his family - brother Rashko and his mother and father - he is an intricate part of their family unit and vice verse. Nothing can be accomplished without that deep seeded family bond and love they have for each other! I also love the importance of remembering and honoring their ancestors for all they did to give their family an incredible foundation in all that is righteous, moral and generous. I loved this book also because it drips with Slovakian folklore, traditions and pride! A definite book to put on your list of MUST reads!
"When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years." This quote is often attributed to Mark Twain though no one has ever been able to prove it much one way or another. The sentiment, however, is universal. There comes a certain time in a young teen's life when their parents lose a bit of their luster. Suddenly the kid feels that they themselves are the arbitrators of the universe and their parents old has-beens without a brain to share. Not every teenager feels this way, obviously, but a whole mess of them do and it's rare that I see this feeling portrayed in a work of fiction as brilliantly as it is in Joseph Bruchac's latest novel "Dragon Castle". Best known for his books that have, in some ways, called upon his Abenaki Indian heritage, Bruchac switches gears and presents a book that finds its roots in another part of his family His Slovakian ancestry. The result is a wry, funny, thoroughly enjoyable book from start to finish. The kind of fantasy novel a person can sink into with glee.

Prince Rashko has a problem. On the horizon marches a large army of foes, clearly bent on conquering his castle. His parents, not the brightest sorts to begin with, have been lured away to fairyland in the interim and don't look like they'll be home for a while. His older brother Paulek, meanwhile, keen to invite the invaders in for some good old fashioned sparring exercises, let's them in without a second thought. Their castle, the impressive Hladka Hvorka, was raised by the legendry hero Pavol and it houses a secret. A secret the army's evil Baron wants. A secret Rashko will have to use all his ingenuity to protect. That said, if he just pays a little bit of attention, Rashko will find that he has friends of all sorts willing to help him out. He need simply trust them. An extensive Author's Note, Cast of Characters, Places, and Slovak Vocabulary and Numbers appear at the end of the book.

Right from the start Rashko informs us in no uncertain terms that his parents are less than entirely intelligent. That they're a sandwich short of a picnic. A Brady short of a bunch. The wheel is running but the hamster's dead. "Why, I sometimes wonder, am I the only one in our family who ever seems to entertain a thought as anything other than a transient visitor?" Bruchac starts us off with a hero who is sympathetic not necessarily because he has a sterling personality, but rather because kids who see their own families in much the same light will sympathize. Never mind that as the story continues Bruchac manages to show instances of Rashko's parents and older brother showing great savvy while looking like they are dumb as a trio of stumps. You believe that Rashko is truly ignorant of these moments. To my surprise, he does change his tune a little by the story's close but not as much as you might think. Though he ends his story by saying that he has been too quick to judge his family, he still doesn't quite understand his brother's role in everything that has occurred. Telegraphing information to your readership without overdoing it is no easy task. Mr. Bruchac, however, is clearly an old pro at the height of his game.

I confess that I haven't had this much fun with a Joseph Bruchac book since his superhero/folktale telling of "Wabi" lo these many years ago. In "Dragon Castle" you get the distinct impression that the author is just having huge heaping helpings of fun. You know those books you read that cause you to stop mid-sentence and say to yourself, "I am REALLY enjoying this book"? That's what we have here. There's something about the combination of Rashko's flippant tone, Pavol's exciting story, a storybook villain who's bad but not in a way that's unpleasant to read about, and dippy parents that just makes for good times. The folktales worked into the story alongside the sheer pleasure Bruchac takes in this writing makes the book great fare for any kid with a love of fantasy with flavor.

What's interesting to me at this point is the fact that there are actually a couple threads left hanging by the story's close. For one thing, I think we know what happens to the big bad guy, but boy is that moment glossed over. Usually big bads get a requisite death scene of some sort. This one just sort of disappears in the mess of general chaos. There was also the aforementioned question of how much Rashko's brother actually knows. That second question makes for good book discussion moments, while the first question feels more like an afterthought. And then there's the fact that some parts of this book get a little repetitious with the reading. I didn't stop to count the number of "knowing glances" in this book, but believe me when I say that they are certainly prevalent.

All that said, finding straight fantasy that utilizes humor well isn't always easy. I should mention that there are some vague references to potential harm that could be done to the castle's female inhabitants by the male soldiers but Bruchac keeps these moments suitably vague and entirely middle grade friendly. If you happen to be on the lookout for something to pair this book with, consider Diane Stanley's "The Silver Bowl" or "Icefall" by Matthew Kirby. All these books take old fantasy ideas and give them new twists. You'd never guess that the guy behind "Geronimo" or "Sacajawea" would change gears so effortlessly but there you go. The proof is in the pudding. The author is in his element.

For ages 9-14.
I love Joseph Bruchac's novels, many of which draw on his American Indian heritage, so when I saw this one that was inspired by the Slovak side of his family, I immediately picked it up.

The book is entertaining enough, the coming-of-age story of a young Slovakian prince, Rashko, whose parents have disappeared just as a nasty visitor arrives on their castle's doorstep. The only people home are his "lame-brained" brother, Paulek, and their servants and tutors. There is lots of magic and action, which will appeal to boys in particular.

There is an unreliable narrator, a detail I love, and it's pretty well executed by Bruchac. Dragon Castle interweaves a "legendary" time period and a later one that holds the central narrative. The latter was occasionally confusing, and I'm not sure Bruchac relayed the alternating timelines in the most articulate way.

Yes, this is a fairy tale, but there were certain events and characters that I found hard to believe. Also, I thought the "love interests" that appear at the end seemed tacked-on. They added nothing to the plot (except perhaps bringing in some female characters in a male-heavy book). I think these failures will hinder older teens and adults from thoroughly enjoying this book, which surprised me. Usually Joseph Bruchac's books appeal to a wide audience, I think.

There is no bad language, nothing truly objectionable. It would be appropriate for kids aged 11 and up.
Joseph Bruchac
Dragon Castle

I just finished DRAGON CASTLE, seeing in it a metaphor for our times, perhaps all times, in the struggle against those who would take over and drain all the good from a kingdom, nation, person. Standing strong and together, showing kindness, and using one’s wits can bring us through.
Based on myths from Slovakia, but universally applicable, it’s a well-written book that captured and held my attention, designated juvenile fiction, but I’d heartily recommend it for adults as well.
A few quotes of wisdom (non-spoilers, of course)
“. . . making friends was one of those needful tasks . . . his guardians told him that a man with no friends is not a man at all. . . to know how to work, one must also learn how to play.”
“Without laughter we humans would . . . have been crushed by the weight of the past and its sorrows”
“Juggling is not just an amusement. It tunes the senses.”
“I have an unusually sticky mind. It’s rather like facts are iron filings and my mind is a magnet. Sometimes it feels like I remember far too much.”