The Fire Within. By Chris D’Lacey. Scholastic, 2007. 352 pages. PB $7.99 ISBN 978-0439672443
Summary: David Rain, a twenty-year-old college student moves in with Liz Pennykettle, an artist, and her eleven-year-old daughter, Lucy. Elizabeth creates clay pottery and dragons, and dragons are visible all over her house. The dragons that Liz creates magically come to life. Animal-loving Lucy is desperate to find the neighborhood one-eyed squirrel, Conker, before her diabolical neighbor Mr. Bacon murders him. She believes that Conker is injured and is in need of help, and with the help of David researches about squirrels in the library. Meanwhile, David, gifted with an authorial dragon of his own to inspire his writing, sets out to craft the epic story of Conker. David has promised Liz that he will keep Gadzooks alive, but can he fulfill that promise?
Critical Review: Readers expecting a magical novel will be disappointed. The dragon portion of this story is minimal. David learns the secret of keeping his dragon alive, through believing in his imagination and sowing good deeds. The Fire Within is very much a realistic novel, focusing on the relationship between strong-willed Liz, her talkative, animal loving daughter, and their boarder, David. Gadzooks’ magical abilities are highly circumscribed. Lucy’s passion for squirrels takes center stage. With the help of David she finds Conker and takes him to the vet. The doctor finds nothing wrong with the animal. However, Conker dies soon after, and is buried in the library garden. The following novels in the series showcase dragons more heavily.
Genre: Fantasy
Reading/Interest Level: 8-12 years
Awards: Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Book Award (Nominated for an Award), 2007
Reviews: School Library Journal (2005, October 1)
Series: Dragon Series
Similar Materials: The following books in D’Lacey’s Dragon Series: Icefire, Firestar, The Fire Eternal, and Dark Fire
Subjects/Themes: mythical creatures; squirrels; books and libraries; fantasy and magic; boarders
Character Names: David Rain; Liz Pennykettle; Lucy Pennykettle; Mr. Bacon; Gadzooks; Conker
Author Website: http://www.thelastdragonchronicles.com/
Brief Annotation: A college boarder is gifted with a magical dragon, and helps an eleven-year-old girl find her squirrel.
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