The Breath of the Dragon

by Gail Giles

Book Overview

Malila doesn't know what to expect when her mother leaves her at her grandmother's house in a small village in Thailand. Grandmother tells young Malila that her mother has gone to America to make a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0395764769
• ISBN13: 9780395764763
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.2" x 9.2"
• Age Range: 10 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 7

Customer Reviews

Teachers---Take Note!

By the time I was reading the final three chapters aloud to my class, there was not a dry eye amongst my charges. I had my students write letters to Malila (the main character) and the depth of empathy revealed in this assignment pored its soul in their expression.

Subtle and beautiful

BREATH OF THE DRAGON is a beautiful book, subtle, its language spare and poetic. It is the story of Malila, a young Thai girl who comes to live with her grandmother after a family crisis. Malila's grandmother is a wonderful person, creating an atmosphere where the little girl's artistic talents can flourish and where she can feel safe and loved. Within this story Giles seamlessly interweaves fascinating information about the customs and culture of Thailand. I highly recommend this book and eagerly await more works by Gail Giles!

An endearing story...

I bought this book as a birthday present for my neice and read it in one sitting. It is a well written tale of Mailia, a small girl sent to live with her grandmother after her father's death. She learns that her father was a thief and considered unlucky. She inherits this label and has to overcome the situation by discovering herself, her own talents, and her self-worth. In the process, she learns that relationships continue through life and there is much reward in them. It is a gentle coming-of-age story wound around Thai tradition that is a great way to interest children in other cultures.

My "Humble" review

My review is a simple thumbs up. I enjoyed the book for pure reading pleasure. Even though I am an adult with a grandchild, I thought it was most entertaining. I plan to save it for my granddaughter to read when she is a bit older for she is too young to appreciate the truly great story that it is. I was very intrigued by the characters and the culture of Thailand. The fact that actual Thai language was used throughout the book really gave it a sense of being there. I know that others have written about the story line meaning this or that, but I just liked the book for enjoyable reading. It had a good storyline and kept you wanting to read to the end. I recommended it both for young and old.

Other Cultures

Having lived abroad, and having had children who faced the trials and tribulations of living in a foreign environment, I understand first hand the difficulties that various cultures can bring to the life of a young one. In this case, with her mother in America, her father deceased and she being unsure of herself, the book provides a heartwarming example of discovery of self, albeit through the direction and nurturing of a wise, kind family member. It helps us to keep our own problems in proper focus and to realize the struggles which others face in order to make something of themselves. In a sense, it shows us that our problems are trivial when compared with those of others. This book is gives one a good perspective on life.