Dealing with Dragons

Wrede, P. C. (1990). Dealing with Dragons. San Diego, CA: Magic Carpet Books.

Plot Description: Princess Cimorene is not like normal princesses.  She doesn’t want to be proper and would rather learn how to do magic or fence.  Instead of being married to Prince Therandil she runs away and volunteers to serve the dragon Kazul.  While there she encounters many dangerous adventures involving dragons, a jinn, wizards, princes, and a witch.  Through speaking with fellow princess Alianora and through reading and consulting with Kazul and Morwen she determines that Woraug and the wizards have planned to rig the trials for the new king.  She makes it in time to stop the wizards and Woraug is reduced to a frog.  Kazul is made King and Cimorene remains her princess.

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure

Age Group: This would be appropriate for grades 4-8.

Series Information:  Searching for Dragons (Book 2 in the series), Calling for Dragons (Book 3 in the series), and Talking to Dragons (Book 4 in the series).

Personal Thought:  This book has all the basic fantasy elements wizards, dragons, and princesses, and is sure to keep the reader

Subject/Themes: Dragons, Princesses, Wizards, Magic

Awards: ALA Best Book for Young Adults, IRA Young Adults’ Choice, School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, and Booklist Editors’ Choice

Character Description: Cimorene is a Princess in the kingdom of Linderwall.  She is unlike other princesses and does not wish to be proper.  She runs away so she does have to marry Prince Therandil

Kazul is a dragon that has accepted Princess Cimorene’s request to serve her.  She becomes the King of Dragons.

Morwen is a witch from the enchanted forest.  She uses her magic to help Cimorene find the wizards.

Alianora is dragon Woraug’s princess.  She is from the Duchy of Toure-on-Marsh.

Woraug is the dragon that is working with the wizards to try to cheat to become the Kind of Dragons.

Annotation: Princess Cimorene isn’t happy with her life so she runs away to live with a dragon.  She couldn’t be happier until she finds out that the wizards are up to something sneaky.  It is up to her to find out their intentions before it is too late.