Dragons and Drawing

I just finished reading a delightful children’s book, called Jorie & the Magic Stones, by Angela (A.H.) Richardson. I was drawn into the story from the beginning and could hardly put it down.

Nine-year old Marjorie, who prefers to be called Jorie, comes to live with her spinster Great Aunt Letitia in Mortimer Manor.  Shortly after her arrival she discovers a mysterious and very old book, The Flying Dragons of Varadwan. She learns the ancient past of Mortimer Manor and her mother’s ancestor, Maalog Doonan.  She meets a young friend, Rufus, who accompanies her to Cabtynthius, an amazing world of flying dragons and strange kinds of people beneath the tarn, deep pond, by her great aunt’s yard.

Interwoven between the chapters about Jorie and Rufus are the chapters about the dark world of Shyloxia and Lord Fodomalk, who can transform himself into a menacing flying dragon. He is intent on capturing the three magical stones Josie and Rufus are on a quest to locate.  Rufus’ tutor, Professor Schrinch, joins the evil efforts as well.

The momentum of the story is maintained from beginning to end.  Magic Stones deals with classic themes of friendship and good versus evil while tossing in lots of adventure and danger.  It’s an engaging story for fantasy lovers from middle elementary through middle school. The youngest readers may be challenged a bit with some of the vocabulary or the unique spellings of names, but I think they’ll manage it just fine with a little help.  It will be a good read-aloud choice, too.  When readers finish this book, they’ll be eager to follow Jorie’s adventures in Richardson's two sequels, Jorie and the River of Fire and Jorie and the Golden Key.

Author Angela Richardson is multi-talented, as she writes, paints, sculpts, plays guitar, has acted on stage, screen and television, and gardens.  Originally from England, she now calls Tennessee home. Her three sons are grown, and she has three grandchildren.

Drum Rollllllll - - -

Now for the drawing part of this post.  To be eligible for a copy of Jorie and the Magic Stones, first, "Like" this post.  Then leave a comment telling to whom and for what age you would like to read this book. Finally, click here and comment Like on my Pinterest pin of this book.

 I will draw and announce the winner on Wednesday morning, April 18.