Rowan and the Keeper of the Crystal by Emily Rodda ★★★★☆

Another Winner

Fiction – Juvenile – High Fantasy

208 pages

Grade Level: 3 and up  Age Range: 8 and up

Publication Date:  1996

Rowan of Rin #3

Rowan and his mother are called to choose the new Keeper of the Crystal by the Maris folk, but when Rowan’s mother is poisoned only he can find the culprit and pick the new Keeper before the Zebak invasion.

Again I was blown away by how well done these books are.  Ms. Rodda is a rare talent, she describes these places like someone who has actually lived there and not just a place made up in her mind.  In this book the story telling style changes a bit from the first two, but I don’t feel that it detracts in any way.  Also the story type is a bit different too.  We again get to see Rowan grow, but also rely on the lessons he learned from his earlier challenges.  This story is about cunning and there is no guide or protector this time.  Rowan must become a leader and not just a follower and his new challenge is to discern the minds of others. Also another cool thing is that we get to visit the Coast and the Maris people with Rowan for the first time. 

Rowan and the Travelers by Emily Rodda ★★★★☆

Lessons Learned

Fiction – Juvenile – High Fantasy

192 pages

Age Range: 8 - 12 years

Grade Level: 3 and up

Publication Date:  1994

Rowan of Rin #2

In book two of the series Rowan, must face unknown dangers and save his people from a strange sleeping sickness overcoming the village.  His only help comes from the roaming Travelers, but they may be the very enemy Rowan is looking to defeat.  With time running out and lives in the balance can Rowan unmask the true enemy and save his people before it is too late?

With the same high caliber writing I expected after reading book one, Ms. Rodda effortlessly weaves together a mystery I was eager to see Rowan solve.  To save his family and the other people of Rin from the sleeping sickness Rowan must use the lessons he learned from the journey up the mountain and overcome his own prejudices to overcome the enemy.  And while there is always plenty of action like the first one, Ms. Rodda’s stories are still really about the characters.  Rowan learns and adapts, but still manages to stay true to his real strengths an open loving heart.  While the people of Rin are reminded that even the Travelers live differently than them they are still their allies and each group can learn a lot from the other.

Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda ★★★★☆

A Tale of Courage

Juvenile Epic Fantasy

Age Level: 8 and up Grade Level: 3 and up

160 pages

Publication Date: February 17, 2004

Rowan of Rin #1

literary awards:  Children's Book Council of Australia Award for Book of the Year: Younger Readers (1994)

Gentle spirited Rowan is thought of as weak by the strong and hardy folk in his village, Rin.  He doesn’t measure up to the others villagers; in him they see no value and he has learned to see no value in himself.  Only

the peaceful creatures he tends named the bukshah love and appreciate him.  When an expedition to the top of the mountain is formed to save the bukshah Rowan is forced to go.  Haunted by fear and scorned and pitied by the other members of the expedition Rowan is driven by the faith the bukshah have in him to meet the dragon who lives at the top of mountain.

Throughout this book Rowan struggles to exhaustion to combat his fears and do things others find so easy.  Who among us hasn’t felt that way?  We spend a lifetime trying to be good enough only to be bashed down.  Most people can identify with Rowan and even at times his companions in this book.

One of the lessons Rowan learns is to see more clearly.  He learns to see himself and his companions in a truer light; they are not as invincible as he thought and he is braver than he knew.  As the only one to complete the quest he also learns what true bravery is; it is overcoming your fear and doing something even though it frightens you.  It is a lesson many people in the real world have yet to master. 

This is a book I have come back to many times and each time I read it I am immediately transported to the valley of Rin.  It is written for a younger age group than I tend to read, but the rich texture and characters appeals to many ages.  The writing is graceful and Rodda is able to keep the momentum up throughout the story.  With universal themes of learning to value yourself and bravery in the face of fear I give this book four stars. 

Definitely give this book a chance!