Few minutes ago, I just finished reading Iris and the Dragonflies by Rosemary Danielies. It's one of the books that I can't put down because tensions are building up from one page to another. I can't wait to know what will happen next. Iris and the Dragonflies is a Middle-Grade Fantasy Novel but I never thought that I get hooked with it- a 30-year-old teacher at that! I enjoyed this fantasy novel because it brings out the child in me and broaden my imagination. Thanks to the creative and wonderful description of the author about the beautiful dragonflies, the peaceful creek, and that crumbly castle in Ireland because those places have taken form and I can't help admiring them in my imagination and wishing I'll be Iris for a brief moment of my life to experience her adventure on understanding and talking to dragonflies and to experience how it feels to be able to see the past. I'm really having fun throughout my reading session. I never had a dull moment from page to page. Each chapter has a mixture of everything- humor, seriousness, friendship, loyalty, suspense, drama and mystery! The author is keen enough to include real middle grade issues that our main character Iris has to face- bullies, first crushes, and school rivalries.
One of my favorite parts was when Iris and her family travel to Ireland. Iris had a life-changing adventure in there and I was drawn to the wonderful stories about dragons, dragon seer and dragon's tooth told by Iris' grandmother. It seems like I'm reading a beautiful, engaging and entertaining history lessons!
Another part about this book that I love and I could relate to is about the resourcefulness of Iris' teacher, Ms. Aldrich. She's my inspiration to teach my students to save the Earth even in their own little ways. I love how this book integrates ecological awareness and message to help save Mother earth. If given a chance, I want to try my hands on Ms.Aldrich's DREAM Project to encourage children to think of ways to help save Mother Earth. By the way DREAM stands for:
D ecide to
R espect the
E arth and
A dmire its
M agnificence
I'm looking forward for the sequel of this book. I'm so excited to know if Iris and her friends will join Lunaris School. Does it have resemblance with Hogwarts School ( school of Harry Potter)? How will she and her friends defeat the Evil Solaris? How come the dragonflies were once the dragons? I can't wait to continue on Iris' journey and see what else the author has in store!I have this wishful thinking to watch on cinema one day Iris and the Dragonflies. It would be FUN-tastic!
Here's the synopsis of Iris and the Dragonflies from the author herself:
Iris, a feisty, solitary, eleven-year-old prefers being down by the creek near her house more than anywhere else in the world. School is nothing but a joyless prison and uninterested in her classmates she spends each day gazing out the window, waiting for the dismissal bell.
Her only friends are the dragonflies who flit through the bulrushes by the creek. She is thrilled to discover she can talk to them, but must keep this unusual ability to herself. People simply wouldn’t understand.
Iris doesn’t know that the dragonflies are not what they appear to be. They need Iris to unleash the power of the Earth and lead them into battle. This, however, is not what the Solaris have in mind. They have their own plans for the Earth and will not let anyone stand in their way, especially not Iris!
Iris has a lot to learn before she can help the dragonflies and fulfill her destiny and this is the beginning of her exciting journey.
I can't wait to share this book to my twelve-year-old sister. This is one of the good books that she's looking for- something that she'll like to read even if she doesn't want to read.
Thanks to the author, Rosemary Danielis, for giving me this privilege to review her beautiful novel (I'm reading via Kindle apps on my Ipad 2). I can't wait for the next book of Iris and Dragonflies. If you want to purchase Iris and the Dragonflies by Rosemary Danielis, a great fantasy story for middle graders and up, you can do so at Amazon.com. The Kindle version is only $2.99! You can also connect the Iris and the Dragonflies facebook page to know more about this book.
