The Griffin's Feather (Dragon Rider Series #2)

by Cornelia Funke

Overview

The sequel to the #1 New York Times Bestseller!

It's now been two years since Ben and Firedrake defeated Nettlebrand and rescued the silver dragons. Both boy and dragon have finally found homes, but they must live hundreds of miles apart and can only see each other every once in a while.

During one such visit, news reaches Ben, the Greenblooms, and their friends that the last Pegasus in the world has been discovered. The legendary horse has three unhatched eggs with him, but the only way they'll ever hatch — and continue the survival of this incredible magical species — is to place them under a griffin's feather. But griffins are the most dangerous creatures in the world, and their mortal enemies are dragons...

Ben has vowed not to tell Firedrake about his quest, to protect him. But as he and the Greenbloom team set off for a remote island where the terrible griffins are rumored to live, he may just need the help of his best friend and dragon...

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781338215533
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	07/31/2018
Series:	Dragon Rider Series , #2
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	432
Sales rank:	414,322
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 1.50(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Cornelia Funke is the internationally acclaimed, bestselling author of The Thief Lord, Dragon Rider, and the Inkheart trilogy, along with many other chapter and picture books for younger readers. She lives in Los Angeles, California, in a house filled with books.

Hometown:

Los Angeles, CA

Date of Birth:

December 10, 1958

Place of Birth:

Dorsten, Germany

Education:

University of Hamburg

Editorial Reviews

Praise for The Griffin’s Feather
“A richly imagined, adeptly illustrated adventure with a strong message of respect for all species of creatures.” – Kirkus
“A not-to-be-missed fantasy by an author who is master of her craft.” – School Library Journal


Praise for Dragon Rider:

#1 New York Times bestseller

USA Today bestseller

People Top 10 Pick

"Exciting adventures abound... This book delivers." — The Horn Book

"Readers will delight in the creatures that turn up in this quest. Lively characters, hilarious banter." — Publishers Weekly

"Funke knows how to tickle the imagination... A good, old-fashioned ensemble cast quest." — Booklist

"Will thoroughly satisfy Funke fans. Engaging and suspenseful." — Voice of Youth Advocates

"A warm-hearted dream of a book." — The Guardian (UK)

From the Publisher

06/01/2018
Gr 3–6—Dragon rider Ben Greenbloom feels an emptiness in his heart being away from his silver dragon, Firedrake. But when he and his family discover the last Pegasi in the world who need the precious sun feather of a Griffin to hatch, he must lie to the dragon. Griffins and dragons are mortal enemies. Ben and his father Barnabas along with a motley crew including a troll, a rat, and a homunculus (the last of his kind), attempt to complete this dangerous quest which takes them to a remote island ruled by the cruel "lion birds." Most of the characters are familiar from Funke's Dragon Rider and this book does not disappoint as a sequel with suspenseful adventure, creative characters, and the mixing of the modern world with the fantastical. Even those who have not read the previous work will enjoy delving into this world, as enough background is given for it to be a standalone. Detailed black-and-white drawings curve around and throughout the text, adding visual context for the story. Well-chosen quotes from various famous modern and ancient literary works perch on each chapter heading. A glossary of the myriad human and animal characters allow readers easy reference as needed throughout. VERDICT A not-to-be-missed fantasy by an author who is master of her craft.—Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA

School Library Journal

2018-04-16
In this sequel to Dragon Rider (2004), Ben, the protagonist of Book 1, teams up with friends to try to procure a sun feather from that most dangerous of fabulous creatures, the griffin.Now 14, Ben lives in Norway with his adoptive family: Vita, Barnabas, and Guinevere Greenbloom. There, with help from other conservation-minded friends, they run a refuge for beings of fable and myth. While happy in his new life, Ben nonetheless deeply misses Firedrake, the dragon he befriended in Book 1, who now lives safely in the Himalayas. When the Greenblooms learn the distressing news that the eggs containing the foals of the last Pegasus are in danger, they determine to try to save them by attempting to procure a sun feather from the vicious (and dragon-hating) griffins. Hoping to keep Firedrake safely out of it, Ben lies to him about the mission's real purpose as he, Barnabas, homunculus Twigleg, aviator-rat Lola Graytail, and troll Hothbrodd set out on their dangerous journey. This effort, is, of course, unsuccessful, nicely amping the peril. Author/illustrator Funke's tale abounds with adventure and is infused with a strong environmental conservation message. By populating her narrative with both real and mythical creatures, she encourages readers to regard flesh-and-blood species with equal awe.The book assumes a white default.A richly imagined, adeptly illustrated adventure with a strong message of respect for all species of creatures. (map, cast of characters) (Fantasy. 9-14)

Kirkus Reviews

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