Reviews

A story that informs as it delights and leaves the reader with a yearning to know more.
— Judges’ report, Children’s Book Council of Australia Younger Readers Book of the year 2004

A wonderfully fashioned tale of a young slave girl and an ageing dragon. An enchanting blend of fantasy and history.
— The Age

Wilkinson has given young readers a superb novel that chronicles more than a physical journey. She manages to involve the reader so much that the option of closing the book and doing something else is greatly diminished
— Canberra Times

In Dragonkeeper Carole Wilkinson transports the reader to a richly evoked ancient China during the Han Dynasty... in an absorbing, textured, adventure story.
— Australian Book Review

Every now and then I find the rare book that just catches me up, one that I can’t put down... I was gnawing my fingernails and ignoring my own writing as I read
— Tamora Pierce

A fantastic adventure story set in ancient China. It is a story of a journey and the obstacles that have to be overcome.
— Scholastic Classroom

The captivating mix of history and fantasy enables the reader to suspend disbelief and to imagine (hope?) that dragons may well walk among us... enriching... in its portrayal of the extraordinary in the ordinary, and in the affirming strength of the female protagonist.
— Viewpoint

A truly fabulous journey. I loved every dragon’s tooth, claw and scale of it.
— Gary Crew

The most captivating children’s book I’ve seen so far this year.
— Amanda Craig, Times Online

The story explores themes of trust, courage, power, greed and love in a meticulously researched setting... A story that informs as it delights and leaves the reader with a yearning to know more... The language is poetic and the many short sentences give the writing an intimate quality.
— Judges’ report, Children’s Book Council of Australia awards 2004