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The Story of Owen: Dragon Slayer of Trondheim Signed-by E. K. Johnston, HC

crawls928
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Item specifics

Condition
Like New: A book that has been read, but looks new. The book cover has no visible wear, and the dust ...
Personalize
Yes
Type
Novel
Signed By
E. K. Johnson
Signed
Yes
Book Series
NA
Narrative Type
Fiction
Personalized
Yes
Features
Dust Jacket, 1st Edition
Country/Region of Manufacture
United States
ISBN
9781467710664
Book Title
Story of Owen : Dragon Slayer of Trondheim
Publisher
Lerner Publishing Group
Item Length
7.7 in
Publication Year
2014
Format
Hardcover
Language
English
Item Height
1 in
Author
E. K. Johnston
Genre
Juvenile Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Topic
Animals / Dragons, Unicorns & Mythical, Fantasy / Contemporary, School & Education, Action & Adventure / General, Animals / Mythical Creatures, General, Social Themes / Values & Virtues, Family / General (See Also Headings under Social Themes), People & Places / Canada / General
Item Weight
16 Oz
Item Width
5.5 in
Number of Pages
312 Pages

About this product

Product Identifiers

Publisher
Lerner Publishing Group
ISBN-10
1467710660
ISBN-13
9781467710664
eBay Product ID (ePID)
177293722

Product Key Features

Book Title
Story of Owen : Dragon Slayer of Trondheim
Number of Pages
312 Pages
Language
English
Topic
Animals / Dragons, Unicorns & Mythical, Fantasy / Contemporary, School & Education, Action & Adventure / General, Animals / Mythical Creatures, General, Social Themes / Values & Virtues, Family / General (See Also Headings under Social Themes), People & Places / Canada / General
Publication Year
2014
Genre
Juvenile Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Author
E. K. Johnston
Format
Hardcover

Dimensions

Item Height
1 in
Item Weight
16 Oz
Item Length
7.7 in
Item Width
5.5 in

Additional Product Features

Intended Audience
Young Adult Audience
LCCN
2013-020492
Reviews
"In an alternate universe much like ours, dragon-slaying is a lucrative corporate gig. Retired legendary dragon slayer Lottie Thorskard hopes to begin a movement to return the profession to its roots--local dragon slayers doing the unglamorous work of protecting their territory from ravenous, carbon-sniffing dragons. So she moves her family to tiny, rural Trondheim, Ontario, home of eleventh-grade budding composer Siobhan McQuaid, narrator of this original fantasy. Lottie asks Siobhan to be bard to her dragon-slayer-in-training teen nephew Owen: recounting his deeds, providing feedback on his technique, and promoting the idea of dragon slayers as public servants. (Also, he needs an algebra tutor, and Siobhan is good with numbers.) This means, however, that Siobhan will get much closer to dragons than she'd ever planned to. Johnston has great fun reimagining history in a dragon-filled world and takes on carbon emissions and global warming from a different angle. Modern references live comfortably next to those from Viking sagas, often to comic effect. With dragon attacks on the rise, Owen and Siobhan get wind of a new dragon hatching ground and lure the dragons away in order to destroy the eggs--a final confrontation that, in Siobhan's wry, heroic narration, is nothing short of epic." --The Horn Book Magazine, "Johnston has created a whip-smart, witty, and utterly inventive alternate history. If this stellar debut is any indication, hers looks to be a bright, long-burning career." --starred, Quill & Quire, "Dragons inhabit myriad literary homes, from high-fantasy epics to classic children's stories. But have they ever been associated with the origin of Gordon Lightfoot's 'The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald?' Or the fires of Kuwait? Or Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson? Or the success of the Beatles? First-time author E.K. Johnston connects all of these seemingly disparate dots in her dazzlingly sharp alternate history for teens, telling the story of a world that has never existed without dragons. "Siobhan McQuaid and Owen Thorskard, high school students in small-town Ontario, live like everyone else on Earth: under the constant threat of dragon attacks. Drawn to anything with carbon emissions (fires, cars, factories, oil sands, etc.), dragons can be safely killed only when sword slices their two hearts; any other method results in a dangerous leak of toxins from their carcasses. Owen comes from a line of famous dragon slayers and Siobhan is his modern-day bard, charged with applying her musical talents to telling the stories of his conquests (and tutoring him in algebra). When dragon attacks begin to drastically increase in their area, Siobhan and Owen must rally the town in the absence of any government support. "Johnston, a forensic archaeologist by trade, brilliantly weaves together Canadian history and speculative elements to create a propulsive plot and a thoroughly believable draconic world. Readers learn how an international initiative to protect the world's natural resources, called the Pearson Oil Watch after the former prime minister, brought Owen's dragon-slaying parents together during the fires of Kuwait (blazes that burned out of control thanks to interference from carbon-hungry dragons), and the Gordon Lightfoot classic is linked to a ship that was destroyed by dragons. By contrast, the Beatles' fame was attained by offering escapist songs with no mention of the dragon reality. "Johnston has created a whip-smart, witty, and utterly inventive alternate history. If this stellar debut is any indication, hers looks to be a bright, long-burning career." --starred, Quill & Quire, "4Q 4P M J S--In this contemporary fantasy, dragons live alongside humans, drawn to the carbon emissions and preying on anyone who happens to get in their way. Once considered a civic duty, dragon slaying became commercialized with the onset of industrialization, leaving poor rural communities vulnerable to attack. A legendary dragon slaying family, the Thorskards, aims to restore dragon-slaying traditions of yore, and their first step is hiring music prodigy Siobhan to become bard to their youngest slayer-in-training, Owen. The teens become close friends and soon find themselves bringing the community together to battle a mysterious surge of dragons in Trondheim. "Despite the title, Siobhan is the true star of this novel, narrating the tale with off-beat humor and a believable teen voice. In a refreshing departure from the course many young adult novels take, Siobhan is more interested in developing her talents as a musician and bard, and in saving her community, than in romantic pursuits. She admires the virtues of her female friends--their strength, intelligence, and independence--as much as she does Owen's. Johnston focuses on developing rich characters and a detailed alternate history, with mild dragon encounters sprinkled throughout. Readers who enjoy world-building will enjoy the attention Johnston gives to infusing history and contemporary life with dragons. Those expecting fast-paced adventure may find that this exposition, while often funny, moves too slowly." --VOYA, "When Owen's legendary dragon-slayer aunt is too injured to continue her vocation, she starts teaching him the ways of the family business. And when Owen meets Siobhan, their friendship becomes part of an epic saga, since Siobhan becomes Owen's bard and tells the tale of his adventures to help him change the future of dragon slaying forever. Johnston's masterful book is a refreshing blend of alternative history, high fantasy, and contemporary teen life. Johnston has done careful research for her intricate world building, and the result is strikingly original and believable. Elements from our world are delicately shaped to fit this alternative, such as the Romans taking dragon slayers from their hometowns and conscripting them into service for the state. Even less illustrious historical elements--the songs of Gordon Lightfoot, for example--are now dragon related. But for all the emphasis on the world, Johnston does not neglect the depth of her characters: Owen and Siobhan's friendship is a beautiful, solid thing, and the authenticity of their relationship goes a long way to making this strange world more familiar. Siobhan's narration, in particular, perfectly blends her dry humor with her musical talent. Johnston, like Siobhan, knows how to spin a tale." --starred, Booklist, "Siobhan narrates the story with great teen wit, and conveys her excitement and fear in an authentic teen voice.... [T]hemes of friendship, family, loyalty, and sacrifice will keep readers turning pages." --Library Media Connection, "Johnston seamlessly blends fantasy with realistic fiction.... Suggest this title to reluctant readers as the fast-paced plot and witty dialogue will keep them turning pages until the tale's exciting conclusion. A great addition for any library with a strong fantasy following." --School Library Journal, "Siobhan's narration sings thanks to her dry wit, intelligence, and ability to see the inherent musicality of life, while also commenting on the unreliability of history (and storytelling) and the power of a community to rally to save itself." --starred, Publishers Weekly, "Siobhan is a typical teenager. Her hobbies include composing music, hanging out with friends, and driving her first car. Her biggest conflict is whether or not to tell her parents that she would rather pursue music than go to a university. All of that changes when she meets Owen Thorskard, currently failing algebra and potentially the nation's next great dragon slayer. Owen, nephew of famous Slayer Lottie Thorskard, goes to high school by day and trains to protect the rural town of Trondheim by night. The two teens become friends when it becomes painfully evident that Owen needs a math tutor. Little does Siobhan know that she's signing up for a lot more than tutoring. Soon she finds herself working as Owen's personal Bard. While he slays, she documents; together they work to show the country that dragon slayers are needed in more than just the big cities. Johnston seamlessly blends fantasy with realistic fiction; readers will have a hard time remembering that dragons aren't an everyday aspect of life. Suggest this title to reluctant readers as the fast-paced plot and witty dialogue will keep them turning pages until the tale's exciting conclusion. A great addition for any library with a strong fantasy following." --School Library Journal, "In an alternate world where humans and dragons battle over fossil fuels, the tale of one slayer and his bard becomes a celebration of friendship, family, community and calling. Once, every village had its own dragon slayer, but those days are long gone; now, slayers are drafted by governments or sponsored by corporations. Sixteen-year-old Owen Thorskard, scion of a renowned line, wants to help reverse that--starting with the rural Canadian town of Trondheim. While Owen is brave, dedicated and likable, this story really belongs to Siobhan McQuaid, dauntless bard-in-training. In her witty account, Siobhan learns alongside Owen from his heroic aunt and her blacksmith wife, schemes with classmates to create local Dragon Guards and enlists the entire county in a daring scheme to attack the dragons' own turf. Humor, pathos and wry social commentary unite in a cleverly drawn, marvelously diverse world. Refreshingly, the focus is on the pair as friends and partners, not on potential romance; Siobhan places as much emphasis on supporting her allies as extolling Owen's deeds. Smart enough to both avoid unnecessary danger and be scared when appropriate, they prove all the more valiant when tragic sacrifices have to be made. It may '[take] a village to train a dragon slayer,' but it takes an exceptional dragon slayer to deserve a village--and a storyteller--like this one." --starred, Kirkus Reviews, "The promising 'Story of Owen' is a clever first step in the career of a novelist who, like her troubadour heroine, has many more songs to sing." --The New York Times Book Review, "Siobhan is the true star of this novel, narrating the tale with off-beat humor and a believable teen voice.... Readers who enjoy world-building will enjoy the attention Johnston gives to infusing history and contemporary life with dragons." --VOYA, "Humor, pathos and wry social commentary unite in a cleverly drawn, marvelously diverse world." --starred, Kirkus Reviews, "In an alternate universe much like ours, dragon-slaying is a lucrative corporate gig. Retired legendary dragon slayer Lottie Thorskard hopes to begin a movement to return the profession to its rootslocal dragon slayers doing the unglamorous work of protecting their territory from ravenous, carbon-sniffing dragons. So she moves her family to tiny, rural Trondheim, Ontario, home of eleventh-grade budding composer Siobhan McQuaid, narrator of this original fantasy. Lottie asks Siobhan to be bard to her dragon-slayer-in-training teen nephew Owen: recounting his deeds, providing feedback on his technique, and promoting the idea of dragon slayers as public servants. (Also, he needs an algebra tutor, and Siobhan is good with numbers.) This means, however, that Siobhan will get much closer to dragons than she'd ever planned to. Johnston has great fun reimagining history in a dragon-filled world and takes on carbon emissions and global warming from a different angle. Modern references live comfortably next to those from Viking sagas, often to comic effect. With dragon attacks on the rise, Owen and Siobhan get wind of a new dragon hatching ground and lure the dragons away in order to destroy the eggsa final confrontation that, in Siobhan's wry, heroic narration, is nothing short of epic." The Horn Book Magazine, "In an alternate world where humans and dragons battle over fossil fuels, the tale of one slayer and his bard becomes a celebration of friendship, family, community and calling. Once, every village had its own dragon slayer, but those days are long gone; now, slayers are drafted by governments or sponsored by corporations. Sixteen-year-old Owen Thorskard, scion of a renowned line, wants to help reverse thatstarting with the rural Canadian town of Trondheim. While Owen is brave, dedicated and likable, this story really belongs to Siobhan McQuaid, dauntless bard-in-training. In her witty account, Siobhan learns alongside Owen from his heroic aunt and her blacksmith wife, schemes with classmates to create local Dragon Guards and enlists the entire county in a daring scheme to attack the dragons' own turf. Humor, pathos and wry social commentary unite in a cleverly drawn, marvelously diverse world. Refreshingly, the focus is on the pair as friends and partners, not on potential romance; Siobhan places as much emphasis on supporting her allies as extolling Owen's deeds. Smart enough to both avoid unnecessary danger and be scared when appropriate, they prove all the more valiant when tragic sacrifices have to be made. It may '[take] a village to train a dragon slayer,' but it takes an exceptional dragon slayer to deserve a villageand a storytellerlike this one." starred, Kirkus Reviews, "Siobhan McQuaid is dragon-slayer-in-training and Owen Thorskard's bard in this Dragon Slayer of Trondheim title. An accomplished musician, she is constantly writing songs about the people and events that make up her world. This is an alternate world where historical events have been overshadowed and impacted by dragons who feed on carbon emissions, and slayers like Owen and his famous relatives. Typical high school activities and issues are deftly woven into a plot that revolves around dragon evasion and slaying. Siobhan narrates the story with great teen wit, and conveys her excitement and fear in an authentic teen voice. The story focuses on her friendship with Owen as they work together. An interesting commentary on the perils of carbon emissions, action, interesting twists on history, and themes of friendship, family, loyalty, and sacrifice will keep readers turning pages." --Library Media Connection, "Dragons inhabit myriad literary homes, from high-fantasy epics to classic children's stories. But have they ever been associated with the origin of Gordon Lightfoot's 'The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald?' Or the fires of Kuwait? Or Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson? Or the success of the Beatles? First-time author E.K. Johnston connects all of these seemingly disparate dots in her dazzlingly sharp alternate history for teens, telling the story of a world that has never existed without dragons. "Siobhan McQuaid and Owen Thorskard, high school students in small-town Ontario, live like everyone else on Earth: under the constant threat of dragon attacks. Drawn to anything with carbon emissions (fires, cars, factories, oil sands, etc.), dragons can be safely killed only when sword slices their two hearts; any other method results in a dangerous leak of toxins from their carcasses. Owen comes from a line of famous dragon slayers and Siobhan is his modern-day bard, charged with applying her musical talents to telling the stories of his conquests (and tutoring him in algebra). When dragon attacks begin to drastically increase in their area, Siobhan and Owen must rally the town in the absence of any government support. "Johnston, a forensic archaeologist by trade, brilliantly weaves together Canadian history and speculative elements to create a propulsive plot and a thoroughly believable draconic world. Readers learn how an international initiative to protect the world's natural resources, called the Pearson Oil Watch after the former prime minister, brought Owen's dragon-slaying parents together during the fires of Kuwait (blazes that burned out of control thanks to interference from carbon-hungry dragons), and the Gordon Lightfoot classic is linked to a ship that was destroyed by dragons. By contrast, the Beatles' fame was attained by offering escapist songs with no mention of the dragon reality. "Johnston has created a whip-smart, witty, and utterly inventive alternate history. If this stellar debut is any indication, hers looks to be a bright, long-burning career." starred, Quill & Quire, "Debut novelist Johnston envisions an Earth nearly identical to our own, with one key difference: dragons, whose attraction to carbon emissionswhether from campfires or carsmakes them a persistent threat. Everything from pop music to industry, literature, and the historical record has been influenced. The Sahara desert has its roots in a botched dragon slaying after Rome conquered Carthage; centuries later, the logo for the Detroit Red Wings symbolizes the loss of an entire state: 'the wheel, for the car that had brought Michigan up, and the wing, for the dragons that had brought it down.' After 16-year-old Siobhan McQuaid agrees to become the bard for dragon-slayer-in-training Owen Thorskard, who has moved with his famous dragon-slaying family to her small Ontario town, she winds up at the center of a grassroots effort to understand an odd spike in dragon numbers. Siobhan's narration sings thanks to her dry wit, intelligence, and ability to see the inherent musicality of life, while also commenting on the unreliability of history (and storytelling) and the power of a community to rally to save itself." starred, Publishers Weekly, "Johnston's masterful book is a refreshing blend of alternative history, high fantasy, and contemporary teen life. Johnston has done careful research for her intricate world building, and the result is strikingly original and believable." --starred, Booklist, "Debut novelist Johnston envisions an Earth nearly identical to our own, with one key difference: dragons, whose attraction to carbon emissions--whether from campfires or cars--makes them a persistent threat. Everything from pop music to industry, literature, and the historical record has been influenced. The Sahara desert has its roots in a botched dragon slaying after Rome conquered Carthage; centuries later, the logo for the Detroit Red Wings symbolizes the loss of an entire state: 'the wheel, for the car that had brought Michigan up, and the wing, for the dragons that had brought it down.' After 16-year-old Siobhan McQuaid agrees to become the bard for dragon-slayer-in-training Owen Thorskard, who has moved with his famous dragon-slaying family to her small Ontario town, she winds up at the center of a grassroots effort to understand an odd spike in dragon numbers. Siobhan's narration sings thanks to her dry wit, intelligence, and ability to see the inherent musicality of life, while also commenting on the unreliability of history (and storytelling) and the power of a community to rally to save itself." --starred, Publishers Weekly, "When Owen's legendary dragon-slayer aunt is too injured to continue her vocation, she starts teaching him the ways of the family business. And when Owen meets Siobhan, their friendship becomes part of an epic saga, since Siobhan becomes Owen's bard and tells the tale of his adventures to help him change the future of dragon slaying forever. Johnston's masterful book is a refreshing blend of alternative history, high fantasy, and contemporary teen life. Johnston has done careful research for her intricate world building, and the result is strikingly original and believable. Elements from our world are delicately shaped to fit this alternative, such as the Romans taking dragon slayers from their hometowns and conscripting them into service for the state. Even less illustrious historical elementsthe songs of Gordon Lightfoot, for exampleare now dragon related. But for all the emphasis on the world, Johnston does not neglect the depth of her characters: Owen and Siobhan's friendship is a beautiful, solid thing, and the authenticity of their relationship goes a long way to making this strange world more familiar. Siobhan's narration, in particular, perfectly blends her dry humor with her musical talent. Johnston, like Siobhan, knows how to spin a tale." starred, Booklist
Dewey Edition
23
Grade From
Sixth Grade
Dewey Decimal
[Fic]
Grade To
Twelfth Grade
Synopsis
Listen! For I sing of Owen Thorskard: valiant of heart, hopeless at algebra, last in a long line of legendary dragon slayers. Though he had few years and was not built for football, he stood between the town of Trondheim and creatures that threatened its survival. There have always been dragons. As far back as history is told, men and women have fought them, loyally defending their villages. Dragon slaying was a proud tradition. But dragons and humans have one thing in common: an insatiable appetite for fossil fuels. From the moment Henry Ford hired his first dragon slayer, no small town was safe. Dragon slayers flocked to cities, leaving more remote areas unprotected. Such was Trondheim's fate until Owen Thorskard arrived. At sixteen, with dragons advancing and his grades plummeting, Owen faced impossible odds--armed only with a sword, his legacy, and the classmate who agreed to be his bard. Listen! I am Siobhan McQuaid. I alone know the story of Owen, the story that changes everything. Listen!, Listen For I sing of Owen Thorskard: valiant of heart, hopeless at algebra, last in a long line of legendary dragon slayers. Though he had few years and was not built for football, he stood between the town of Trondheim and creatures that threatened its survival. There have always been dragons. As far back as history is told, men and women have fought them, loyally defending their villages. Dragon slaying was a proud tradition. But dragons and humans have one thing in common: an insatiable appetite for fossil fuels. From the moment Henry Ford hired his first dragon slayer, no small town was safe. Dragon slayers flocked to cities, leaving more remote areas unprotected. Such was Trondheim's fate until Owen Thorskard arrived. At sixteen, with dragons advancing and his grades plummeting, Owen faced impossible odds--armed only with a sword, his legacy, and the classmate who agreed to be his bard. Listen I am Siobhan McQuaid. I alone know the story of Owen, the story that changes everything. Listen
LC Classification Number
PZ7.J64052Sto 2014
ebay_catalog_id
4
Copyright Date
2014

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crawls928

crawls928

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