Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel

Title: Silverwing

Author: Kenneth Oppel

Publish Date: September 2007

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Pages: 224pp

IBSN: 1416949984

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Fantasy

Annotation: Shade is a young bat who get’s left behind when his family migrates for the winter.  On his journey to rejoin the colony, he meets new friends, discovers enemies, and all the

Plot Summary: A young bat named Shade decides he wants to prove his bravery by catching a glimpse of the sun.  In doing so, he breaks an ancient law and the owls retaliate and burn down their roost, forcing the bats to begin their migration. Shade gets caught in a storm and is left behind by his colony during the migration. Full of customs, the imminent war between the bats and birds, and the escapee vampire bat, provides a challenging journey for Shade to return back with his colony.

Personal Response: Love the animal adventure Kenneth Oppel takes his readers on.  Sliverwing is an exciting story with dramatic suspense and a thrilling plot and is not a typical fantasy story as the main character is a bat.  The ending of the novel leads the reader to the next installment, Sunwing.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Making your own way and facing your fears.

Age Range: 8 and up

Subjects: Betrayal, Friendship, Fear, Friendship, Enemies, Adventure, Fantasy, Family, Family Relationships, Bullying, Courage

Series: The Silverwing Saga

Silverwing (1997)

Sunwing (1999)

Firewing(2002)

Darkwing (2007)

Similar Titles:

Sunwing by Kenneth Oppel

The Capture by Kathryn Lasky

Stellaluna by Janell Cannon

Different Dragons by Jean Little

Title: Different Dragons

Author: Jean Little

Publish Date: May 2007

Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)

Pages: 112pp

IBSN: 0143312308

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Annotation: Timid Ben faces many challenges on his first stay away from home without his family.  He confronts his fears and becomes friends with a Labrador Retriever named Gully.

Plot Summary: Ben is not looking forward to his stay with his Aunt Rose while his family goes away.  During this stay, Ben will have to sleep alone, deal with the bossy girl next door, live through a thunderstorm, and deal with his fear of big dogs, all by himself. Aunt Rose had meant the big dog, Gully a Labrador Retriever, as a gift but Ben doesn’t like this gift, he is scared of the big dog.  Then, a thunderstorm hits and Ben and Gully survive together underneath the bed. This begins a beautiful bond. 

Personal Response: A simplistic plot with a sweet message about overcoming your fears and finding the courage that lays within. I especially liked the bond Ben makes with Gully, very sincere and touching.  I think this is a good story for younger children who are experiencing fears.  As adults we so easily forget what it is like to be little with fears—the world can be scary place. 

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Overcoming fears.

Age Range: 8 to 12

Subjects: Dogs, Fear, Thunderstorms, Family, Family Relationships, Friendship, Courage, Realistic Fiction

Similar Titles:

Stand in the Wind by Jean Little

Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang by Mordecai Richler