The Fire Within by Chris D'Lacey

-Griffin

In this book, a curious college student named David Rain becomes a tenant to Elizabeth Pennykettle and her daughter Lucy; along with their many dragons.  Elizabeth makes these beautiful clay dragons that she sells, and so they are a big part of the lives of her and Lucy.  Lucy and David become fast friends, even though she is half his age.

This story is a fiction book with very heavy fantasy elements, and has a bit of mystery to it as well.  The characters are lovable and realistic, making it feel like you are part of the Pennykettle household as you read.  The characters are well developed and realistically show the situation of a college man renting a room with a woman and her daughter.  This book is perfectly descriptive, always mentioning a possibility right as you think it.  You are always just as in thought about problems as the characters themselves.  This book is great for those of all ages!  Elementary school kids to adults will love this book.  There are times in the book where you may stop and think if a college student would really care so much about an animal, but the author gives the animals deep enough significance for us to care so much.

I actually started reading this whole series six years ago in elementary school when only half the books were out.  I remembered reading them all and falling in love with the series and the magical story they told.  I was nervous to review this book in case the magic failed the test of time, but sure enough this book had me turning pages, reliving the magic!  This book may not be for everyone, but I think most would enjoy it.