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Summary: From a reader in Houston
Review: "Breath of a Dragon" is hard to put down, so cancel all your weekend plans to enjoy it to its fullest. I love to travel, so learning about the culture of Thailand was fascinating. The little girl in the story, Malila, became near and dear to my heart and I could not hold back my tears in parts...very beautiful and well written.
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Summary: From a reader in Houston
Review: "Breath of a Dragon" is hard to put down, so cancel all your weekend plans to enjoy it to its fullest. I love to travel, so learning about the culture of Thailand was fascinating. The little girl in the story, Malila, became near and dear to my heart and I could not hold back my tears in parts...very beautiful and well written.
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Summary: A slow-down book for a run-run world
Review: Although aimed at a young audience, parents will enjoy this book also for its quiet pace and emotional appeal. The book tells the story of a young girl who has to face great loss--and it is a loss that no one fully explains to her. But during this time of loss and confusion, she gradually discovers great treasure in a new relationship with her grandmother. A quiet, sympathetic, but not maudlin tone makes this a gem for reading aloud, even to children who could read it on their own. The book will illustrate to a young reader that unexplainable tragedies may occur, but life still contains beautiful things and wonderful, strengthening relationships. The book has the added benefit of giving the reader insight into another culture in an interesting, informative, and palatable way.
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Summary: Incredibly Moving!
Review: BREATH OF THE DRAGON is a beautiful book, subtle, its language spare and poetic. It is the story of Malila, a young Thai girl who comes to live with her grandmother after a family crisis. Malila's grandmother is a wonderful person, creating an atmosphere where the little girl's artistic talents can flourish and where she can feel safe and loved. Within this story Giles seamlessly interweaves fascinating information about the customs and culture of Thailand. I highly recommend this book and eagerly await more works by Gail Giles!
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Summary: Subtle and beautiful
Review: BREATH OF THE DRAGON is a beautiful book, subtle, its language spare and poetic. It is the story of Malila, a young Thai girl who comes to live with her grandmother after a family crisis. Malila's grandmother is a wonderful person, creating an atmosphere where the little girl's artistic talents can flourish and where she can feel safe and loved. Within this story Giles seamlessly interweaves fascinating information about the customs and culture of Thailand. I highly recommend this book and eagerly await more works by Gail Giles!
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Summary: A multilayered delight.
Review: Breath of the Dragon successfully pits ancient Thai cultural beliefs against more modern day outlooks with main character Malila in the middle. Through her grandmother, she learns to embrace and appreciate her heritage while Grandmother grows and learns as well. Perhaps the central lesson is that life, while not always easy, often works out for the best. Gile's weaving of Thai language, customs, clothing and festivals adds to the richness of the well paced story and while not tying everything in a neat package at the end, leaves the reader with hope none the less.
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Summary: Teachers---Take Note!
Review: By the time I was reading the final three chapters aloud to my class, there was not a dry eye amongst my charges. I had my students write letters to Malila (the main character) and the depth of empathy revealed in this assignment pored its soul in their expression.
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Summary: A Wonderful Book to Add to Your Collection
Review: Gail Giles does a wonderful job walking the reader through the life of a little foreign girl, who undergoes much loss and tragedy for her age. By kindiling a relationship with her grandmother, the girl is able to overcome the hardship, even at a young age. It shows readers, especially younger ones, that life does triumph over tragedy and it does go on. My little sister found this particularly interesting for its emotional appeal. It is challenging enough for her, while appealing enough to my parents. They are both able to read and understand the book together.
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Summary: Other Cultures
Review: Having lived abroad, and having had children who faced the trials and tribulations of living in a foreign environment, I understand first hand the difficulties that various cultures can bring to the life of a young one. In this case, with her mother in America, her father deceased and she being unsure of herself, the book provides a heartwarming example of discovery of self, albeit through the direction and nurturing of a wise, kind family member. It helps us to keep our own problems in proper focus and to realize the struggles which others face in order to make something of themselves. In a sense, it shows us that our problems are trivial when compared with those of others. This book is gives one a good perspective on life.
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Summary: An endearing story...
Review: I bought this book as a birthday present for my neice and read it in one sitting. It is a well written tale of Mailia, a small girl sent to live with her grandmother after her father's death. She learns that her father was a thief and considered unlucky. She inherits this label and has to overcome the situation by discovering herself, her own talents, and her self-worth. In the process, she learns that relationships continue through life and there is much reward in them. It is a gentle coming-of-age story wound around Thai tradition that is a great way to interest children in other cultures.
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