The Pearl Quest by Gill Vickery

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Dragonchild series. A&C Black, 2014. ISBN 9781472904508.
Highly recommended for children from 7-9 years of age. Suitable for a class read aloud. Themes: Fantasy, Quest Adventure, Witches, Magic. RA: 7-9 years.
The Pearl Quest is the final fantasy adventure in the Dragonchild Series. Tia a young girl who has been reared by dragons must recover the stolen Jewels of Power. In this quest she must find the healing pearl unfortunately her mother the High Witch Ondine was the thief who stole this gem.
The Story So Far explains Tia's recovery of the five precious stones, the emerald, the opal, the topaz, the sapphire and the ruby. Each has special powers and are kept safe by her DragonBrother Finn. To thwart the evil witch Tia has to give the dragon her emerald ring that allows her to talk to her jackdaw Loki and her locket with family pictures. She travels through the islands and towns to the island where the High Witch lives in an imposing house. The lake surrounding the island is filled with beautiful white swans, swimming and nesting. Tia rescues a swan being attacked by foxes and gains entry to her mother's home with the swan keeper. When she meets her mother who of course only sees a Trader girl Tia is upset. Life at the palace is difficult young Tia is closely guarded and there seems to be little opportunity to steal the pearl and return the necklace filled with the six powerful stones to the Dragon King and Queen. This journey is the most difficult as she encounters the most powerful magic of all.
Gil Vickery's novel is fast-paced, building the tension, she shows her understanding of the young reader's need for excitement and adventure. Mike Love's dark black and white sketches add to the reader's understanding of Tia's final quest. The author adds a teaser at the end of the story Tia's journey may continue as she searches for her father.
Rhyllis Bignell

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