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leskit's review
4.0
I read this book to a 5th grade class (I'm a librarian). It was really too long for a once a week read to a class, in my opinion. It would be much better as a daily read to a class or I think I would have enjoyed reading it to myself more. Another review said it's a great story that got a bit bogged down in the telling and I can agree with that. I did really enjoy the story and Ye the Dragon is a lovely and moving character. We discussed the book when we finished. I hope the kids understood the meaning of the book. It's a bit subtle. They all said they enjoyed it and that's good. I don't like explaining the meaning of books to kids - I would rather they come to their own conclusions. I will say things or ask questions that guide them to an understanding, but I don't like telling them what I think or telling them what they should get out of a book. Several of them made insightful comments so at least some of the understood.
sparklingreader's review
5.0
This is an incredible YA (ages 8-12) book. I laughed. I cried. I couldn't stop reading. This is "a heart-stirring adventure about all that glitters versus all that matters." Truer words have never been written.
The main character, Kaitlin (Kat, aka Calamity Kat) Graham has a "thing" for gold. She even has a gold tooth. So when she sees a poster for a tourist gold mine while on a cross-country trip with her father and brother, of course she has to go.
And thus the adventure begins.
In the backstory, Kat's mother was in an accident that put her in a home in a coma. Her father goes through his savings, his insurance, has to sell off everything that Kat loved - her horse, their home, everything but an old car and a few clothes for her and her brother. Then he loses his job. The family is destitute, and it's all Kat's fault. Or so she believes. They are on their way to California for a new job for her dad when they stop at the gold mine. On the tour, Calamity Kat sneaks away and falls down a deep hole. In trying to find her way out, she meets a dragon - Ye. And his cache of gold. But it isn't what Kat thinks it is. Gold is what's left when a dragon dies and Ye is the last of his kind. All Kat sees is a way for her family to get out of the mess they're in so, even though Ye shows her the way out, she takes one of the gold nuggets and starts the worst gold rush since the 1800's. In all the insanity, Kat comes to realize that it isn't the gold that's important, but the fact that she took it and she and her brother Dillon plot to get it back.
The story is funny, poignant, sad, and adventurous. There are parts that made me go "huh???" but so much of the rest of it is good that I let those spots go. So, if you can suspend disbelief and allow a little bit of "come on, really?" to go by, then pick this up.
A definite read me book.
The main character, Kaitlin (Kat, aka Calamity Kat) Graham has a "thing" for gold. She even has a gold tooth. So when she sees a poster for a tourist gold mine while on a cross-country trip with her father and brother, of course she has to go.
And thus the adventure begins.
In the backstory, Kat's mother was in an accident that put her in a home in a coma. Her father goes through his savings, his insurance, has to sell off everything that Kat loved - her horse, their home, everything but an old car and a few clothes for her and her brother. Then he loses his job. The family is destitute, and it's all Kat's fault. Or so she believes. They are on their way to California for a new job for her dad when they stop at the gold mine. On the tour, Calamity Kat sneaks away and falls down a deep hole. In trying to find her way out, she meets a dragon - Ye. And his cache of gold. But it isn't what Kat thinks it is. Gold is what's left when a dragon dies and Ye is the last of his kind. All Kat sees is a way for her family to get out of the mess they're in so, even though Ye shows her the way out, she takes one of the gold nuggets and starts the worst gold rush since the 1800's. In all the insanity, Kat comes to realize that it isn't the gold that's important, but the fact that she took it and she and her brother Dillon plot to get it back.
The story is funny, poignant, sad, and adventurous. There are parts that made me go "huh???" but so much of the rest of it is good that I let those spots go. So, if you can suspend disbelief and allow a little bit of "come on, really?" to go by, then pick this up.
A definite read me book.
brandypainter's review
3.0
Originally posted here.
The Dragon of Cripple Creek by Troy Howell is a book about a dragon guarding gold in an Old West mine and the girl who discovers him and his dragon gold. There is also an interesting sibling story thrown in.
The novel has a lot going for it: adventure, siblings working together, a dragon. Most of it works very well too. Kat is a fun heroine, one who makes ridiculously bad decisions, but you can't help loving at the same time. Her brother is one of those characters I love, apparently lazy and a joker he is actually covering up a brilliant mind for trickery and subterfuge. I love the setting of the Old West tourist town too. Plus there's a dragon. All stories are improved when you add in a dragon. Especially one who knows so many big words. The book does suffer from being too long and getting lost in its own wordiness in the middle. Still it is a fun read for any one who likes a good dragon story or tall tale.
The Dragon of Cripple Creek by Troy Howell is a book about a dragon guarding gold in an Old West mine and the girl who discovers him and his dragon gold. There is also an interesting sibling story thrown in.
The novel has a lot going for it: adventure, siblings working together, a dragon. Most of it works very well too. Kat is a fun heroine, one who makes ridiculously bad decisions, but you can't help loving at the same time. Her brother is one of those characters I love, apparently lazy and a joker he is actually covering up a brilliant mind for trickery and subterfuge. I love the setting of the Old West tourist town too. Plus there's a dragon. All stories are improved when you add in a dragon. Especially one who knows so many big words. The book does suffer from being too long and getting lost in its own wordiness in the middle. Still it is a fun read for any one who likes a good dragon story or tall tale.
tarrant's review
4.0
Adorable, entertaining-perfectly ok for a very young audience but enjoyable for an adult.
lara_lleverino's review
4.0
Written by my friend Troy Howell this book has lovely characters and wonderful word play that kids will love to read. It was read to my 6 year old niece and she loved it so much she wanted to be the main character for Halloween. We start reading it to our girls tonight!
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