Last Friday I was lucky enough to be asked to talk about what I do at the Cochrane Eagle by Mrs. Hammer’s and Mrs. Wheller’s classes at Elizabeth Barrett Elementary School in Cochrane. You see, the Grade 3 students have been assigned a book talk. They have been asked to read a chapter book and review it.
I think this is outstanding. A love of books is an absolute gift for children that they will cherish for the rest of their lives. A person who loves to read is never alone and can experience many adventures in their lives, some without even leaving their house.
So, in honour of the students at Elizabeth Barrett school — and all Grade 3 students in Cochrane — this week I have reviewed a book just for their age group: The Ice Dragon by George R.R. Martin. Mr. Martin also wrote A Song of Ice and Fire (aka Game of Thrones).
When I saw this book I was immediately intrigued. Could Martin capture the Game of Thrones universe in a children’s book? The answer is absolutely, and he does it well. The ice dragon was a creature of myth and fear, for no one had tamed one. When it flew overhead, it left behind a cold and frozen land. But, Adara, a young girl of four, was not afraid. You see, she was as cold as the dragon, having also been born during a cold winter freeze.
Every winter the ice dragon would visit Adara when she was alone and she told no one. It was her secret. When she was four she touched it and when she was five she took to the sky on the dragon’s cold, broad back. Then, when she was seven, on a calm summer day, fiery dragons from the north swooped down and attacked Adara’s people. And only a winter child – and the ice dragon who loved her – could save her world from her enemies.
If you love Game of Thrones and are looking for a way to share its magical world with your children or are a young reader who loves fantasy, knights and heroines, this book is for you. It is as realistic as Game of Thrones and Martin does an excellent job of making it age appropriate and, as expected, is well written and as quick to action as is Martin’s style.
I give The Ice Dragon a 4.5/5.
