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- 14-year-old Dakin goes on a journey no one from her village has been brave enough to do
- gargoyles, trolls, an ogre, a talking frog, challenging terrain and more!
- convo: magic (almost always evil) and related (wizard, witch, witch’s ball, etc.), lying, some illustrations are scary
- language: x7 stupid
Type: chapter book
Ages: 8-12
Author: Lynne Reid Banks
One of my childhood favorites! Decades had passed since I last read it, though, so I found time earlier this year to re-read…this time aloud to my children! They thoroughly enjoyed it and are wanting to re-read it themselves already.
As far as the magic goes, the magician who bewitched the mountain, along with some of its creatures, sets a lot of traps and dangers to travelers. Dakin finds herself determined to conquer this evil person who wants to do harm to her village below the mountain. She is brave, persevering, and an all-around wonderful heroine.
The more intense parts are quite safe for the above age range, and you might even be able to read it aloud to younger kids, depending on the situation. Most of the tension comes from the fear of something rather than that something actually happening. Uncommonly, it’s written in such a way that even teens can enjoy the tale.
Readers will sigh with satisfaction with they reach the end. It’s a fun little story!
