Since I had zero interest in watching the debate last night, I had time to read. IGRAINE THE BRAVE by Cornelia Funke fills one of those incredible voids in the field of literature for children and young adults: it is one terrific middle grade/intermediate novel. Igraine's parents and her brother are all magicians. Igraine, though, wishes to become a knight. Her understanding parents honor this wish. For her 12th birthday, she is given a beautiful suit of armor. It will come in handy as Igraine must ride out from the protection of her castle in search of hair from a giant. This crucial ingredient will assist her parents who have inadvertently turned themselves into pigs in a spell gone wrong. Of course, there will be some complications in the form of Osmund the Greedy. Igraine comes to the aid of her parents, her kingdom, and a sorrowful knight.
Action, adventure, comedy, family: four components of this charming novel, illustrated by the author, will provide a more than satisfactory reading experience. Funke's range is incredible. INKHEART, DRAGON RIDER, THE THIEF LORD: students who find Igraine an interesting read have a lovely road ahead of them.