Book Info

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Format

Paperback
416 pages

Author

Julia Golding
More books by Julia Golding

Author's Website

www.juliagolding.co.uk/

Publisher

Oxford University Press
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Suitable for Ages

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Publication date

1st May 2008

ISBN

9780192727602

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Dragonfly

Julia Golding

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Synopsis

When the uptight Fourth Crown Princess of the Blue Crescent Islands is sent to marry the 'uncouth' Ramil ac Burinholt, heir to the throne of Gerfal, they are both horrified. The princess is used to a life of discipline, ritual and splendour, Ramil to a life spent hunting and carousing. But the countries of both are under threat from the fearsome warlord Fergox Spearthrower and the only chance of peace is for them to form an alliance. So when Ramil and Tashi - as he insists on calling the princess to her annoyance - are kidnapped, things look disastrous. But the kidnap is the start of an exhilarating journey involving circus troupes, bloody battles, unarmed combat, daring escape and breakneck chases. Along the way, Ramil and Tashi learn much about themselves and one another, and through the cast of characters they encounter - a circus strongman, dashing rebels, brave slaves and many ordinary people - they begin to see a way to bring the mighty Fergox Spearthrower low, and save their beautiful lands from devastation and war.

From the author on how this book came about:

‘Like many people who have lived a long time, I would be hard put to tell you what I did the day before yesterday – but the sunny afternoon in 1934 when I arrived at Dartington Hall is engraved on my mind and will be till I die. I was just eight years old.

I was angry because I had been forced to leave Vienna and confused because I did not speak English and embarrassed, standing among the uninhibited children. Yet in this strange school in which I spent the next seven years, I experienced the happiest and most fulfilling period of my life.

For longer than I can remember I wanted to write about this time, but it was not until I created a heroine, Tally, who was utterly different to me that I saw how to use this rich background of eccentrics as part of a story that was not just an autobiography.

The Dragonfly Pool is a made up story, touching my own life only lightly. My aim in the book, as with most people who write for children, was just to please and intrigue and entertain.’

Reviews

 ‘A new book by Eva always lifts the spirits. She understands how children might be inspired and nourished, and she delights in nature, friendship, honesty and liberty’. The Sunday Times
 ‘A wonderfully rich adventure’. Good Book Guide
 ‘Unmissable’ Nicolette Jones, The Sunday Times

 ‘The ever reliable Eva Ibbotson has written another excellent novel for older children’ The Spectator
 ‘Ibbotson is a sublime storyteller and this funny and exciting adventure skilfully tackles issues if freedom and individuality.’ Daily Mail
 ‘An enchanting novel from the good witch of kidlit.’ The Times
 ‘A treat’. The Daily Expre

About The Author

Julia Golding is the author of over ten books for children. Her stories are set all over the world (and in some new worlds too) and span the centuries. In her first year as a published author, she won the Nestlé Children’s Book Prize (Gold Award), was shortlisted for the Costa Children’s Book Award, longlisted for the prestigious Carnegie Medal, and won the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize.
Julia Golding lives in Oxford with her husband and three children. Dragonfly is her sixth novel for Oxford University Press.

Click here to read a Q&A with the author from top children's publisher Egmont.

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