I understand why this book won the 2014 Schneider Family Book Award (middle school)!

<http://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/schneider-family-book-award>.

I love reading from the award lists and I always balk when it comes to fantasy books. “Handbook for Dragon Slayers” grabbed me right away (surprisingly)! I was hooked right away.

Thirteen year old Princess Mathilda, or Tilda, as most people call her, is princess of Alder Brook. She was born with a deformed foot but it doesn’t stop her from going on an adventure she never thought she would be on. There’s upheaval in her town and she ends up with two dragon slayers. She doesn’t complain about her foot or that she can’t do certain things, she states facts about how much she can do or not do. She was told she couldn’t ride a horse and should stay clear of them. She ends up riding a horse and does a good job at it too. She learns a lot about herself by the end of the book.

I liked the fairy tale elements throughout the story and that Tilda wanted to write her own book and publish it for all to read. I have to admit there were a few words I didn’t understand even in context. I had to look them up.

As I read, I think of the reluctant reader or a reader who may struggle, and these words may turn off a reader. The overall wording sounds very modern considering it takes place during ‘castle and knight times’, with horses for transportation. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to everyone!