Lirael

Bibliographic Information
Title: Lirael
Author: Garth Nix
Type of Media: text
Publisher: Harper Trophy
Copyright Date: April 2002
ISBN: 978-0060005429
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: Lexile 950
Interest Age: 12+







Plot Summary
In this second Old Kingdom novel Nix returns to the world of the Abhorsen fourteen years after Sabriel. This time we are introduced to the Clayr where Lirael lives although she has always felt like an outsider. She was abandoned by her mother and has never known who her father is. She has grown up surrounded by the sisters of the Clayr who all have a similar look and the gift of the sight, while she has neither.  As Lirael spends her time deep within the library she stumbles upon the Disreputable Dog who quickly becomes her best friend. Meanwhile we follow the adventure of Prince Sameth, the son of Sabriel and King Touchstone, and his friend Nick who unbeknownst to them has released very dangerous magic. Read as all the storylines intertwine in this beautifully written sequel.

Critical Evaluation
A brilliantly written sequel by Nix which enlarges our view of the Old Kingdom to include new people and areas and make it seem even more real. The main focus of this book is not on Sabriel who is now a legend but on a new generation and a completely different person. Lirael does not who she is or what her purpose is and in this way, despite the fantastical land she resides in, becomes a character that we can all relate to at some point in our life. Many times the second book within a series comes up short but this is definitely not one of those cases.

Reader's Annotation
Deep within the Library of the Clayr a new adventure is beginning to take hold and this time there is a dog as the companion. Love this book!

Author Biography
Garth Nix has worked as a bookseller, book sales representative, publicist, editor, marketing consultant and literary agent. He also spent five years as a part-time soldier in the Australian Army Reserve. A full-time writer since 2001, more than five million copies of his books have been sold around the world and his work has been translated into 40 languages. Garth's books have appeared on the bestseller lists of The New York Times, Publishers Weekly (US), The Bookseller(UK), The Australian and The Sunday Times (UK). He lives in Sydney, Australia, with his wife and two children.

Garth Nix. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Garth-Nix/e/B000AQ01XU/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Book Talk Ideas

• Belonging
• Finding one's self
• Good vs evil

Possible Challenges

• Fantasy violence
• Romance

Defense File

Have the library's selection policy and the Library Bill of Rights ready to hand out

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Know the awards, if any, the book has earned

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Reason for Inclusion
It is rare to love a sequel more than the first book but that is the case for this book which just shows how amazing it is. Garth Nix is an incredible world builder and I was ecstatic to be able to reenter the Old Kingdom in Lirael.