  | Star shard Author: Durbin, Frederic S. | |
| Price: $6.50 | ||
Summary:
A twelve-year-old slave on a gigantic, traveling "wagon city" joins forces with a new--and magical--slave, and as they plan their escape they encounter mystery, enchantment, and deadly monsters while their one chance for freedom draws ever nearer.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 5.80 Points: 10.0 Quiz: 150599 |
Common Core Standards
Grade 4 → Reading → RL Literature → 4.RL Key Ideas & Details
Grade 4 → Reading → RL Literature → 4.RL Range of Reading & Level of Text Complexity
Grade 4 → Reading → RL Literature → 4.RL Craft & Structure
Grade 4 → Reading → RL Literature → 4.RL Integration & Knowledge of Ideas
Grade 4 → Reading → RL Literature → Texts Illustrating the Complexity, Quality, & Rang
Grade 5 → Reading → RL Literature → 5.RL Key Ideas & Details
Grade 5 → Reading → RL Literature → 5.RL Integration & Knowledge of Ideas
Grade 5 → Reading → RL Literature → 5.RL Range of Reading & Level of Text Complexity
Grade 5 → Reading → RL Literature → Texts Illustrating the Complexity, Quality, & Rang
Grade 6 → Reading → RL Literature → 6.RL Key Ideas & Details
Grade 6 → Reading → RL Literature → 6.RL Craft & Structure
Grade 6 → Reading → RL Literature → 6.RL Integration of Knowledge & Ideas
Grade 6 → Reading → CCR College & Career Readiness Anchor Standards fo
Grade 5 → Reading → RL Literature → 5.RL Craft & Structure
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (01/01/12)
Booklist (03/01/12)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (03/12)
Full Text Reviews:
Bulletin for the Center... - 03/01/2012 Thunder Rake is a mobile city that sits atop a giant wagon, and twelve-year-old Cymbril is just one of the many slaves beholden to its iron-fisted master, Rombol. During the day, Cymbril is forced to sing to attract customers to Rombol’s traveling market, but at night the young girl often escapes to explore the many decks of the Rake, befriending its odd inhabitants and discovering shadowy and enchanted rooms unknown to the city’s master or its crew. During her nightly wanderings she meets Loric, a faerie boy who tells Cymbril that she too is part Sidhe, and the two begin to plan to flee the Rake completely and make for Loric’s homeland. Harpies, murderous dogs, two evil witches, and Rombol himself manage to foil each of their plans, however, and the two are soon left to choose between their separate freedom or staying together. Evocative imagery, an enthralling world, and a fully realized storyline that does not depend on future installments make this a standout among recent pre-YA fantasies. The charm of old-school fantasy blends with the mechanics of steampunk aboard the Rake, making the massive city feel both menacing in its size and enchanting in its secrets. Cymbril’s longing for freedom is deeply felt, and even as she acknowledges her privileges as one of the more well-kept slaves, her desire to become more than the possession of another person and find a life of her own will resonate with young readers just coming into their independence. Durbin’s quiet, reverent tone does slow some of the more action-driven scenes, but the lush, almost poetic prose is something readers will want to linger over anyway. KQG - Copyright 2012 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.
Booklist - 03/01/2012 Cymbril is a young orphan girl living on the Thunder Rake, a wheeled market city that travels the land setting up shop wherever it encounters habitation. Cymbril’s job is to sing in the hopes of attracting crowds who will shop. Although she spends her free time roaming the darker corners of the Rake and trying to stay out of trouble, she is in reality a slave, owned by the Rake’s amoral master, Rombol. When Rombol purchases a Fey boy named Loric, Cymbril feels an immediate connection. She discovers a secret, magic parallel dimension to the Rake, as well as the truth about her own identity. Durbin has created a world that, though mainly confined to a single mobile city, comes alive with fantastic creatures and a varied cast of supporting characters. Cymbril herself is a strong heroine—loyal, resourceful, and brave. While this story is satisfactorily concluded with surprise revelations and limited loose ends, there is plenty of scope for a follow-up. - Copyright 2012 Booklist.
