The Dragon of Middlethorpe

Book excerpt: Thirteen-year-old Kate–strong-willed and independent–is determined to help save Middlethorpe from the dragon that has returned to terrorize the townsfolk. Armed with a casket of unicorn-horn powder, a burning desire to see the dragon, and a need to be of use, she follows the men into the forest where they have gone to track the monster down. She finds them as a storm breaks, and while thunder crashes and lightning illuminates the scene, the battle takes place. But Kate has encountered new friends and their ideas, and she can’t help but question whether it’s really the dragon that the men fight for just their fear given shape by the shadowy trees and terrifying electrical storm. Is there a dragon after all? Kate wonders. And if dragons don’t exist, what else might not be real? Kate’s attempts to steer her way around the conventions and beliefs that restrict her life in medieval society make for a story that is timeless. Readers will recognize in her a character who lives in one world but has a vision of another.