The Girl with the Dragon Heart

by Stephanie Burgis

Overview

A chocolate-filled, girl-powered fantasy with a witty heroine who learns what home truly means, perfect for fans of Shannon Hale.

"Will satisfy readers who hunger for feel-good tales that pack a girl-power punch, like Gail Carson Levine’s Ella Enchanted or the movie Moana." —School Library Journal on The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart

Silke has always been good at spinning the truth and storytelling. So good that, just years after arriving in the kingdom as a penniless orphan, she has found her way to working for the most splendid chocolate makers in the city as a master promoter. Although Silke loves her work at the Chocolate Heart, she’s certain it’s not going to last, and what Silke wants more than anything is somewhere to call home—somewhere safe. But when your best friend is a dragon-turned-hot-tempered-girl, trouble is always right around the corner.

Then Silke gets the opportunity she’s been waiting for: the Crown Princess personally asks her to spy on the Elfenwald royal family during their first visit to the kingdom. In return, Silke will have the home she’s always wanted in the secure palace. But Silke has her own dark, secret reasons for not trusting fairies . . . and her mission isn’t as simple as she hoped. Soon, she discovers that her city is in danger—and that maybe it’s more her home than she ever realized.

Can Silke find out the truth about the fairies while keeping her own secrets hidden?

A Mighty Girl Best Book of the Year

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681196978
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	11/06/2018
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	801,035
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.10(d)
Lexile:	860L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Stephanie Burgis grew up in East Lansing, Michigan, but now lives in Wales with her husband and two sons, surrounded by mountains, castles and coffee shops. She is the author of The Dragon with the Chocolate Heart, the tween fantasy trilogy, Kat, Incorrigible and the forthcoming historical fantasy adult title, Masks and Shadows.
www.stephanieburgis.com
@stephanieburgis

Editorial Reviews

09/01/2018
Gr 4–6—This companion novel to The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart follows Aventurine's closest human friend, Silke, who saved her life at the end of the previous book. Silke, 13, has been on a singular path to build a better life ever since she lost her parents in the Elfenwald forest seven years ago. Her brother, Dieter, does not understand her desire to leave behind their little market stall and seek out a different life. When not peddling goods with her brother, she works at the the Chocolate Heart with Aventurine as an promoter and waitress. When Silke is able to use her cunning and charisma to help Aventurine escape a sticky situation, the crown Princess comes seeking her help. Before she knows it, Silke has agreed to pose as a lady-in-waiting for an upcoming visit from the mysterious and clandestine royal court of Elfenwald. Dropped into a completely alien environment and removed from her cozy life in the Chocolate Heart, Silke must adapt and avoid the intrigue and backstabbing of court life. While it is useful to have read the previous book, this works well as a standalone novel. The characters from Chocolate Heart make appearances but the focus here is on Silke and her story. Silke is described as having brown skin with short, dark hair, and a penchant for wearing pants instead of skirts. The author also manages to weave in some commentary on immigration and asylum seekers. Though it is a bit slow to take off, the last third is fast paced and full of adventure. VERDICT Recommended for fans of Tamora Pierce and Gail Carson Levine, or anyone looking for a book which features strong women who save the day.—Sara Brunkhorst, Indian Trails Public Library District, IL

School Library Journal

★ 2018-09-17

Silke hopes to learn the fates of her missing parents in this companion to The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart (2017).

Refugee Silke's a bold, adventurous, cross-dressing 13-year-old who loves Drachenburg. And though she won't admit it, she loves her friends who feel like family at the Chocolate Heart, including her dragon-turned-girl best friend, Aventurine—especially since she and her older brother have grown apart since her parents' disappearance in Elfenwald six years ago. Silke's narration captures a sadness that's only partially camouflaged by her swaggering demeanor. One day, in order to save Aventurine from a mob, braggart Silke claims to work for the crown princess. The next day, the princess's guards come for her…but Princess Katrin doesn't want to punish Silke, she wants her to spy: After a century underground, a delegation from magical Elfenwald is coming to Drachenburg, and the princess wants to know why—and Silke sees an opportunity to solve her parents' mystery. Silke tries to fit in at court as a royal cousin, but being a proper lady-in-waiting isn't determined Silke's forte, and soon her wits are put to the test when all of Drachenburg is endangered. Lovable and frustrating, black-presenting Silke's an entirely believable character; supporting characters are equally well-drawn, and Burgis' world is a robustly diverse one.

As with the first book, the fantasy hijinks are tempered with depth for a story that's sweet but not saccharine. (Fantasy. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews

Black-presenting Silke's an entirely believable character; supporting characters are equally well-drawn, and Burgis' world is a robustly diverse one. As with the first book, the fantasy hijinks are tempered with depth for a story that's sweet but not saccharine.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Thirteen-year-old Silke is the heroine of her own story . . . The true star of this show is independent girlhood. Silke, Aventurine, and the princess Sophia's freedom comes through recognizing that they are powerful not where they fit in, but in the ways that they stand out.” —Foreword Reviews, starred review

“Full of secrets and supernatural beings and topped with chocolate, the book hooks fans of fantasy with a fast-paced adventure that gradually reveals its mysteries.” —BCCB

“A strong sequel to Burgis' first Dragon novel, this adventure features a more vulnerable, more flawed, literally more human heroine. . . . A well-knit story combining court intrigue and strange alliances with a heartening conclusion.” —Booklist

“Full of adventure . . . for fans of Tamora Pierce and Gail Carson Levine, or anyone looking for a book which features strong women who save the day.” —School Library Journal

“Chocolate and dragons, together at last! Like sipping hot cocoa on a cold day, reading this book was an absolute delight. And by the end I felt like a dragon sitting on a pile of gold, knowing I'd found a treasure. Readers of all ages will love this deliciously charming adventure and its feisty dragon-transformed-into-a-girl main character, Aventurine!” —Sheila Grau, author of the Dr. Critchlore's School for Minions series on THE DRAGON WITH A CHOCOLATE HEART

“In The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart, Aventurine is turned into a girl, but inside she remains ALL dragon, every fierce, lovable inch of her. This story is a delightfully delicious blend of magic spiced with adventure and a heart as sweet and warm as molten chocolate. I completely adored this book!” —Sarah Prineas, author of THE MAGIC THIEF and Winterling series on THE DRAGON WITH A CHOCOLATE HEART

“The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart is a perfect confection: rich, satisfying, and remarkably delicious.” —Caroline Carlson, author of the Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates series on THE DRAGON WITH A CHOCOLATE HEART

“A gloriously fresh story to be read with a steaming cup of chocolate at hand.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on THE DRAGON WITH A CHOCOLATE HEART

“Aventurine's fiery spirit is immediately endearing, and a diverse cast of fully realized supporting characters fill out a fantasy world that readers will love to inhabit. Pair with chocolate for maximum enjoyment . . . will satisfy readers who hunger for feel-good tales that pack a girl-power punch, like Gail Carson Levine's Ella Enchanted or the movie Moana.” —School Library Journal on THE DRAGON WITH A CHOCOLATE HEART

“Burgis creates a feisty protagonist with a temper that suits her dragon heritage. . . . Readers will be rooting for Adventurine throughout this well-paced, colorful narrative. An appealing chapter book for young fantasy fans.” —Booklist on THE DRAGON WITH A CHOCOLATE HEART

From the Publisher

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