Firedrake, a young dragon, his loyal brownie friend Sorrel, and a homeless boy named Ben are united as if by destiny. Together they embark on a magical journey to find the rim of heaven, a place where all silver dragons can live in peace and harmony. With only a curious map from a rat, and the scarce whispers from an old dragon to guide them. They fly across the moonlit lands and seas to reach the highest mountains in the world. If you want to find out if they find the rim of heaven, read Dragon Rider, by Cornelia Funke. ( )

Summary: Dragons have always tried to stay out of the way of humans, so when a construction team threatens to invade their mountainous highland hideout, they must find another place to live. A young silver dragon named Firedrake volunteers to go search for the Rim of Heaven, a fabled valley far to the east - supposedly home to another group of refugee dragons, and so isolated that no humans will ever be able to find it. He's accompanied by Sorrell, a brownie with a sharp attitude and an insatiable craving for mushrooms, and it's not long into their travels before they pick up Ben, a young human orphan who helps them out of a tight spot. But that's not all they've picked up: they've also attracted the attention of Nettlebrand, a giant golden dragon whose sole purpose in life is to hunt and kill other dragons... and now they're unwittingly leading him to the one place they thought they could be safe.

Review: This is one of those case where I don't think I would have enjoyed this book in book form nearly as much as I did in audiobook form. Not that it's not good: it's a fun little fantasy adventure geared towards mid-grade to pre-teen kids, and the interesting complexity of the world meant that it held my attention a lot better than many other mid-grade fantasy novels have. Although it certainly could have been tightened up a bit in places (500+ pages is a long book for this reading level), it never felt particularly draggy, and although there were elements that would have been more interesting if they were left a little bit more morally ambiguous, I can let that go as writing for a younger audience.

However, what really made this book a stand-out for me was the audiobook narration. Brendan Fraser does such an incredible job with the voice-acting that it makes me sad that he hasn't narrated more audiobooks (this and Funke's Inkspell are the only two I can find). He doesn't have a "typical" reader's style or cadence, but he reads into the microphone exactly as if he were reading a bedtime story to his own kids - complete with acted-out sneezes, whispers, grumbling noises, a huge range of consistently well-done accents, even bird noises and other not-strictly-textual sounds. If you'd ask me a priori if I wanted my audiobook narrator making spitting noises and raven squawks into my ear, I would have said absolutely not - ordinarily that kind of thing comes off as over-produced and totally obnoxious. But somehow Brendan Fraser makes it work, and the effect is more charming than annoying, and if it did its job pulling me into the story, I can only imagine how well it would work on kids closer to the intended age range. 4 out of 5 stars.

Recommendation: As a book, it would be good for mid-grade fantasy fans, or adults who want a light, well-told fantasy adventure. As an audiobook, it would be perfect for a long car trip with the whole family, or just for grown-ups who miss having someone read them bedtime stories. ( )

Love Brendon Fraser's reading!!!! ( )

this is an amasing book about a dragon named firedrack that has to find a better home for the other dragons that live in the same valy away from the humans so they can live in peace. with the help of his browny friend named sroole he looks for the rim of hevan. along the way he meets a boy named ben that lived alown in a old factoury, he has no family or money. he ends up going on this fabulis jurny to the other side of the world. they stoped at a mouten where firedrack resed, later some mouten dwarfs came and looked at firedrack. one dwarf named gravelberd whent to the golden one that hunted dragons he looks like a dragon but he is not a dragon......... i wont tell you any more if you want to now the rest you have to read this amazing book. ( )

I always like adventure stories, and this one has the theme of where home is. Memorable and likable characters. ( )

A group of dragons threatened by people invading and destroying their home. Firedrake (a young dragon) and Sorrel (a brownie) set out to find the Rim of Heaven by the direction of the eldest dragon, Slatebeard. The Rim of Heaven is suppose to be a place that dragons can live without being discovered. Along their journey they're discovered by Ben (a human boy) that helps them and joins them on their journey.

I read a few chapters of this book to a fifth grade class to see if I could spark their interest in Cornelia Funke's books. I was surprised to see that I was able to keep the interest of the whole class by pausing to asks questions or have them give me a response. By the end of the hour of reading to them, several of the students were asking the teacher if this book was in their library. I also told them that one of the author's books was turned into a movie, Inkheart.

For an extension, I would have the class do a compare/contrast between the book and modern day society. I would also have the students do a research project of the different kinds of dragons. I also think the students would enjoy a scavenger hunt of as many books they can find that involve dragons. ( )

This was the first dragon book i ever read and i would not chang what i read for any other book.this book is about three friends a dragon, a broweny, a boy, and many others that they meet on there journy to the rim of heaven to escap the dangers of humans. They also meet enamys like other dragons and a homicamo named Twigleg (twigleg is a person that workes for the evil dragon. i can't tell you any more so read this book and enjoy it as the good book it is. =)=)=)=)=)=)=) ( )

This is a long and character rich story of an orphan boy named Ben who befriends Sorrell, a brownie, and Firedrake, a silver Dragon. He accompanies them on the quest to find the rim of heaven so that all dragons can live free from humans. Along the way, they are being watched by Nettlebrand, the evil dragon. Twigleg, a homunculus, spies on them for Nettlebrand at first, but then quickly falls for Ben's friendship and helps the three of them out on their journey. Gravelbeard replaces Twigleg and helps Nettlebrand find them. However, in the end it is the three plus another dragon that they found in a cave at the rim of heaven, that defeats Nettlebrand. At the end, Ben has a new family and Firedrake brings all of the dragons from his home to live at the rim of heaven with the new found dragons. The strength in this book are the characters and their ability to keep the reader interested in what happens to them.

After learning that humans are headed toward his hidden home, Firedrake, a silver dragon, is joined by a brownie and an orphan boy in a quest to find the legendary valley known as the Rim of Heaven, encountering friendly and unfriendly creatures along the way, and struggling to evade the relentless pursuit of an old enemy.

Good, but not as good as Paolini's dragon fantasies. ( )

I really like this book because itisvery adventourous and exciting. ( )

Firerake, Ben, sorrel and slate beard waned to go out of the cave the live in and go explore the world. But slatebeard grandfather told them not to because they could be seen by humans. But slatebeard didn't care if they get seen or not. So him and his friends go and explore. Then him and his friend got on the dragon and flew over the mountains in the middle of the night. Then a boy saw him and yelled at the dragon. The little boy wanted to ride on the dragon. So then the dragon told him to get on. So the were fling all night long. Then he took him back to his house. Then they had to hide during the day so no one else would see them. During the night they flew miles and miles. Then they went to the ocean and flew across it for three days.

great and suspenseful ( )

This is a pleasant enough fantasy for the younger set, although Funke's other books are probably much better. ( )

I would give this 10 stars if I could. It's a really good book because it wasn't boring and I didn't want to put it down. There were some funny parts. ( )

I read this book awhile ago, but i really enjoyed it. I t was a cute story ( )

parents and children would enjoy this book together! I first bought the book from Audible, and bought it after one of my sons asked for it for his birthday. I am a total sook for books - if ever my kids ask for books I rush out and buy them immediately - too precious an opportunity to waste!
This one is exciting for boys, and has an interesting enough plot without becoming too simplistic. There were shades of Haroun and the Sea of Stories here. ( )

a very good book through the eyes of a dragon, a boy, and a friend. the plot is they are trying to defeat an evel dragon who hunts down other dragons.. and they have to hurry before the dragon species becomes extinct!!! ( )

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, July 15, 2004 (Vol. 72, No. 14))
When human development threatens the remote Scottish valley where the earth's last remaining silver dragons have hidden, Firedrake, a determined young dragon, and his friend Sorrel, an irascible brownie, set out to find the Rim of Heaven, a remote Himalayan valley said to be the ancient home of the dragons. In short order they pick up Ben, a stout-hearted orphan lad, and Twigleg, a homunculus in the joyless employ of Nettlebrand, the evil artificial golden dragon whose sole purpose in life is hunting and killing silver dragons. The twin imperatives to evade Nettlebrand and to find the Rim of Heaven form the engine that drives this narrative, and the importance of belief-in goodness, in possibility, in magic, in love-provides the fuel. Various secondary characters pop up to help or to hinder, genially straining credibility with the tidiness of plot-driven need. This solid adventure lacks the lusciousness of language and intricacy of plot that marked last year's Inkheart, but it does carry the reader along at breakneck pace, the inevitably victorious ending no less satisfying for all its predictability. 2004, Chicken House/Scholastic, 528p, $12.95. Category: Fiction. Ages 8 to 12. © 2004 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved

In this straightforward fantasy for young/middle grade readers, dragon Firedrake sets off with his furry friend Sorrel to find the elusive Rim of Heaven, supposedly a place where dragons can live safely without fear of human intrusion. Along the way they pick up Ben, a plucky human orphan, and Tigleg, a wee homunculus with a hidden past. They must also avoid and evade Nettlebrand, an evil dragon who wants to hunt and kill all other dragons. Fast-paced and exciting without being too scary or confusing. ( )

Not a classic fantasy. I like that maybe you wouldn't. I could not put it down. ( )

Here's news to quicken the pulses of Funke's many admirers: the fantasist's first novel, and her most popular so far in her native Germany, is now available to American readers. Crack open the fat volume, though, and it's instantly clear that this is different from Funke's previous books. With its large type, generous leading, and whimsical line art by the author, it simply looks more like a traditional middle-grade novel. The plot is correspondingly gentler, lighter, and more straightforward than those of The Thief Lord (2002) and Inkheart (2003), involving an ancient race of fabulous creatures under threat from a wily, vengeful foe. Funke proves she knows how to tickle the imaginations of younger readers: there's a silver dragon that absorbs moonlight as flight fuel, an orphan boy destined to become a Dragon Rider, a journey to the Himalayas, and plenty of humor, introduced in particular by the dragon's irritable brownie sidekick and by Twigleg, a homunculus prone to bowing and scraping. A full-color foldout map adds the perfect atmospheric touch. This is a good, old-fashioned ensemble-cast quest in the style of Lloyd Alexander, with a bit of Puff the Magic Dragon added to the mix. What could it be but a winner? Category: Books for Middle Readers--Fiction. 2004, Scholastic/Chicken House, $12.95. Gr. 4-6, younger for reading aloud. Starred Review (Jennifer Mattson (Booklist, Aug. 1, 2004 (Vol. 100, No. 22)))

Won Young Reader's Choice Award Winner 2007 Grades 4-6 Pacific Northwest

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, July 15, 2004 (Vol. 72, No. 14))
When human development threatens the remote Scottish valley where the earth's last remaining silver dragons have hidden, Firedrake, a determined young dragon, and his friend Sorrel, an irascible brownie, set out to find the Rim of Heaven, a remote Himalayan valley said to be the ancient home of the dragons. In short order they pick up Ben, a stout-hearted orphan lad, and Twigleg, a homunculus in the joyless employ of Nettlebrand, the evil artificial golden dragon whose sole purpose in life is hunting and killing silver dragons. The twin imperatives to evade Nettlebrand and to find the Rim of Heaven form the engine that drives this narrative, and the importance of belief-in goodness, in possibility, in magic, in love-provides the fuel. Various secondary characters pop up to help or to hinder, genially straining credibility with the tidiness of plot-driven need. This solid adventure lacks the lusciousness of language and intricacy of plot that marked last year's Inkheart, but it does carry the reader along at breakneck pace, the inevitably victorious ending no less satisfying for all its predictability. 2004, Chicken House/Scholastic, 528p, $12.95. Category: Fiction. Ages 8 to 12. © 2004 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Won Young Reader's Choice Award, 2007 ; Nominee; Junior Division; United States

Dragon Rider features a dragon, a cranky brownie, a homonculus, a rat, and a boy. Firedrake, a silver dragon, is searching for the Rim of Heaven. The Rim is thought to be a safe haven for dragons and Firedrake is in need of a haven because humans are encroaching on the valley where he and other dragons have been living. Sorrell, a mushroom munching brownie, accompanies him. As they look for clues they pick up a young boy. There is evil looking for them; the great "Golden One" is some sort of super dragon who does not fly and who hunts silver dragons.

Sorrell isn't secure with the other creatures who join the quest but even she can see the positive connections between their journey and different prophecies.

I read this book with several children and the book sparked discussions about dealing with fear and bullies and what makes a family.

This is a lighter story than Inkheart or Thief Lord.

When it is discovered that humans are about to destroy the last of the dragons' safe-havens, a young silver dragon named Firedrake and his constant brownie companion Sorrel, leave the secret valley in search of the "Rim of Heaven," a mythical mountain range in the Himalayas and the legendary homeland of the dragons. During their journey they meet a parentless young human, Ben, in an abandoned building in a big city while looking for the renowned cartographer Gilbert Graytail to aid them in their search.

Ben joins Firedrake and Sorrel in a grand adventure as they travel the world to find the Rim of Heaven. Unfortunately, they aren't the only ones interested in finding the dragon homeland. They are pursued by the minions of Nettlebrand, who only seeks to kill all other dragons. In a race for time, Firedrake, Ben, and Sorrel find friendship and danger at every turn.

Dragon Rider is a wonderful, original fantasy novel for younger readers, although older ones will appreciate it as well.

Experiments in Reading ( )