Christopher Paolini is Bantam17's hero: the homeschooled teenager has written this fantasy series that reminds me a little too much of Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern, which I adored in high school--with shades of Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, as well.
Still, what Paolini may lack in originality, he makes up for in talent, as the first draft of the first book, Eragon, was written when he was just fifteen. (Here's a short bio.) And the tale has taken on a life of its own, which we are all eager to continue.
Alas, I am third in line behind Bantam17 and then Papa Rooster!
Here is a fascinating interview with Christopher Paolini, with advice for writers and comments about his homeschooling experience (positive). Bantam17 listened to the whole thing, and it confirmed his approach to the book he's working on. Paolini likes to listen to movie soundtracks while he writes--just like Bantam17!
5 comments:
How fun! Now, the question is, do you and Papa Rooster have "assignments" to discuss the book? :o)
amy
My 2nd grader, who is not a stronger reader, has drooled over this book on several ocassions because he's currently obsessed with dragons. I told him we could read it together after I check out the content...do you think the story would be appropriate for a 7 year old?
Jen in Seattle
Jen--
That's a tough call--I don't know what his emotional maturity can handle. It's clean--there is no bad language or sexual situations to worry about--but there is violence and emotional intensity, like when he discovers that the only home and family he's ever known have been wiped out by the bad guys (quite reminiscent of Luke Skywalker's uncle and aunt's farm on Tatooine being destroyed). There are fighting scenes with his mentor, as he trains him, and then the mentor, who he has come to love and respect, is killed in a battle.
In the second book, he gets more into the Elves' New-Agey beliefs and philosophy of mind/body training, like yoga...
You probably should read it yourself in your (cough) spare time (cough, cough), but as I'm typing I'm thinking I'd wait at least a year or two if I were you!
Have you read St. George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges with him? How about The Reluctant Dragon, by Kenneth Grahame (author of The Wind and the Willows)? There is also Merlin and the Dragons, by Jane Yolen. All three of these are short books with pictures--perfect for him, I would think!
Jeanne
Luke(now 10) comments...
I have been counting down the hours!! I got it last night for my birthday and I'm racing Auntie Judie to the end of it. It's AWESOME!! Glad you all like it, too. May your swords stay sharp! (mom is working her way through book 2...)
--The Greenhouse house :)
I bought it, but I haven't seen it since. The feed back is that it's pretty good. I hope to be able to verify that some day soon. (But I'm not holding my breath!)
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