Night Sky Dragons

Reviewed by: Brooke Faulkner - McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 13, 2015

Review

Yazul, a young boy who lives with his family along Asia's Silk Road, is a dreamer -- he and his grandfather create beautiful kites out of silk and bamboo, much to the chagrin of his father, who is charged with protecting their han. Disgusted by what he sees as his son's idleness, he puts him to work doing menial tasks in the kitchen, until bandits are poised to cut off access in and out of the han and it is Yazul who divines a creative way out of the predicament. This short story moves quickly, but never skimps on artful phrasing - "Fear filled Yazul like a winter sickness." A kite that doesn't make it up into the sky "tumbled and dangled against the gates like a huge, wounded bat." Detailed, muted watercolor illustrations are punctuated with the vibrant colors of the kites and their layout expands into full-page spreads for dramatic effect. Readers will be captivated and moved by Yazul's struggle to be accepted by his stern father and the action of outwitting the bandits will draw in an even wider audience.

Overall Book Score: excellent