For all you Eragon fans, Book 3 is coming

Because I get asked so often at work.....

However, I notice it already has 21 reviews, even though it's not due out until September 2008. Oh, to have such a fan base!

What I'm Reading Today--The Saint of Dragons

I didn't know a lot in advance about this one. I'm reading it because I read a favorable review of it's sequel, Samurai, in a review journal. And since I'm always on the look out for 1)fantasies to recommend and 2)books to recommend to boys, this one looked like a winner. (Also, being married to an Englishman, I'm partial to St. George.) So far so good. The book is fast paced and believable with definite crossover YA appeal.

What I'm reading today--Lily Quench and the black mountain

I'm always on the look-out for comparison reccommendations (i.e. "My daughter loves the Magic Tree House series. What should she read next?") And with Harry Potter mania far from dead, all those kids who have left Hogwarts will need something new to read now that the series is complete. The Lily Quench series in an Australian import (late 90's/early 00's) featuring an intrepid girl, half dragonslayer/half botanist. Unlike her ancestors, Lily no longer slays dragons but works with them to preserve peace and justice in a place called Ashby Water, recently liberated from the clutches of the Black Count. The first title, Lily Quench and the Dragon of Ashby, was enjoyable enough that I've come back for more. This is setting up to be a solid middle grade chapter book series with a strong female protagonist.