Title: DragonKeeper
Author: Carole Wilkinson
Genre: Fantasy
Set in: China
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH; 1 edition (April 2, 2005)
Rating: 4 out of 5
My Thoughts:
Dragonkeeper is a story set in Ancient China in the Han Dynasty. Ping is a 5-year-old slave girl in one of the forgotten castles of the Emperor. She does all the cooking and cleaning for the Imperial Dragon caretaker who is very lazy and mean to her. When the Emperor comes to the castle with his entourage to kill the dragon, she has no choice but to flee.
Since the slave girl is all she has been all her short life, she wants to go back, but the dragon takes her on a journey to the ocean where he can gain her strength back. On the way, Ping and the dragon have many adventures and I loved every minute of it.
I loved journeying through ancient China with Ping; be it visiting the Garden of secluded harmony or sailing on the yellow river. The author Carole Wilkinson weaves a fascinating and enchanting tale. Her writing can enthrall a child and an adult into ancient China and into Ping’s world. She creates characters that are both strong and vulnerable at the same time, be it the little girl or the dragon Danzi.
I cannot recommend this book enough for all the adults, kids and teens out there. I’m only too eager to read the sequel Garden of the Purple Dragon.
Awards:
Book of the year: younger readers-> The children’s book council of Australia.
Aurealis Award winner
2004 Winner: Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards
2004 shortlisted: NSW Premier’s literary Awards
VIOLET CRUSH 
Hi Violet! I hope all is well with you ๐
This sounds like a very good read. I am going to try and get this here. Love the cover too ๐
The writing sounds so much similar to Eva Ibbotson’s (whose YA titles I just love ) ! Plus I love books with Asian themes so I think this one goes on my wish list.
How have u been ? ๐
This book sounds great! Thanks for bringing it to my attention; I will definitely keep an eye out for it.
Wow. I’m not usually one for picking up books that feature dragons and castles but I liked your review and this sounds like a great read actually. ๐ Love that it’s set in Ancient China too.
I must get my hands on this one! I love all things Chinese and this one looks perfect! Thanks for the review, Violet. By the way, I miss you, my friend.