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Description edit
In ancient China during the Han Dynasty, a young slave girl toils away for a lazy and cruel master. Unloved and orphaned, the girl does not even know her name until in a remarkable moment of courage, she helps save an aging dragon and her life is changed forever. Now, she must travel across... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Summary edit
This book is mainly about this young slave called Ping, on an extraordinary journey with the imperial dragon, Danzi. Throughout her excursion, she found out that she is, in fact the imperial dragon keeper and she must try her best to protect the dragon from harm. However, later on as the ... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)
Characters/People edit
- Ping: Ping - Ping is the main protagonist in this book. She starts off as a ordinary slave girl hoping for nothing but a better life. However, as the imperial dragon (danzi) escapes, the dragon takes Ping with him. After that, they go on a journey to the Ocean, a place believed to be where everything heals.
- Kai: Kai - Kai is Ping's green (formerly purple) dragon, a young premature dragon who enjoys to eat and play games. Though he may be mischievous, he shows feelings for Ping and respects her. Kai is the son of Long Danzi, Ping's former dragon.
- Danzi: Add a description of this character.
- liuche: Ping is a kind, lovely character that scarcly uses her chi.
- Danzi: Danzi is a good-hearted dragon who helps ping on their journey to the ocean. he is also a very quiet creature who likes to keep his thoughts and secrets to himself.
- Hua: Ping's pet rat, her only best friend. Hua plays a crucial role in this journey such as protecting Ping and the Dragon from centipedes that eat brains.
- Diao: The evil dragon hunter (necromancer).
- Imperial Dragonkeeper: Ping is the Imperial Dragonkeeper.
Setting & Locations edit
First Sentence edit
A bamboo bowl flew through the air, aimed at the slave girl's head.
Table of Contents edit
1. THE EDGE OF THE EMPIRE
2. AN EVIL NIGHT
3. THE IMPERIAL BANQUET
4. ESCAPE
5. FEAR OF FLYING
6. BEYOND THE GATE OF EXPERIENCE
7. COMBING AND COUNTING
8. THE CITY OF ETERNAL PEACE
9. OLD FRIENDS
10. MAGIC AT MIDNIGHT
11. OFFERINGS
12. A DARK CLOUD
13. A STITCH IN TIME
14. SWIFT PASSAGE
15. IN THE SHADOW OF THE FIRE MOUNTAIN
16. LOST AND FOUND
17. STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS
18. CHANCE MEETING
19. ANOTHER IMPERIAL BANQUET
20. THE GARDEN OF SECLUDED HARMONY
21. HALFWAY TO HEAVEN
22. BLOOD ON TAI SHAN
23. OCEAN
24. PERHAPS THERE IS NO END
Glossary
Guide To Pronunciation
Glossary edit
- Cash: A Chinese coin of low value with a square hole in the middle.
- Chang: A measure of distance equal to about seven and a half feet.
- Cinnabar: A bright red mineral whose chemical name is mercuric sulphide.
- Confucius: A Chinese philosopher who lived around 500 B.C.E
- Han Foot: A measure of length equal to about 9 inches
- Jin: The measure of weight for gold.
- Jujube: A name for the fruit known has the Chinese date.
- Li: A measure of distance equal to about three tenths of a mile.
- Mou: A measure of land area one pace wide and 240 paces long.
- Pangolin: An animal with a scaly skin and a long snout that eats ants.
- Qi: According to traditional Chinese beliefs, qi is the life energy that flows through us and controls working of the body.
- Qilin: A mythical Chinese animal with the body of a deer, the tail of an ox, and a single horn
- Shen: According to traditional Chinese beliefs, shen is the spiritual energy that drives our mental and spiritual activities. It is sometimes translated as the soul.
- Shu: A drop; a very small amount.
- Five Classics: Five Chinese books, more than 2000 years old, that formed the basis of knowledge in Ancient China.
- Four Spiritual Animals: The Dragon, the Qilin, the Red Phoenix and the Giant Tortoise. The Ancient Chinese named four constellations after these animals.
- Han Dynasty: A period in Chinese history when the emperors all belonged to a particular family. It lasted from 202 B.C.E to 220 B.C.E.
- Jade: A semiprecious stone also known as nephrite. It's colour varies from green to white.
- Red Phoenix: A mythical Chinese bird that looks a lot like a peacock.
Series & Lists edit
This is book 2 of 4 in Dragon Keeper. (standard series)
Preceded by Dragon Dawn, and followed by Garden of the Purple Dragon.
Authors & Contributors edit
- Carole Wilkinson (Author)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: Black Dog Books
Country: Australia
Publication Date: 2003
ISBN: 1-876372-89-3
Page Count: 343
Publisher: Black Dog Books
Country: Australia
Publication Date: 2003
ISBN: 1-876372-89-3
Page Count: 343
Awards edit
- Book of the Year (Younger Readers)
- Aurealis Award (2003: Best Young Adult Novel)
- Queensland Premier's Literary Award (Finalist, 2004)
- NSW Premier's Literary Awards (Australia) (2004)
- Aurealis Award (Finalist, 2003: Best Children's Long Fiction)
- Children's Book Council of Australia (2004: Book of the Year: Younger Readers, Winner)
Subjects edit
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Links to Supplemental Material edit
- Carole Wilkinson: Carole Wilkinson's website, where you can learn more about herself and her books.
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