The Reason for Dragons - Hardcover

Northrop, Chris

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1936393743 ISBN 13: 9781936393749

Publisher: Boom Entertainment, 2013

Synopsis

Wendell is a high school outcast who lives a lonely, suburban existence, losing himself in books in order to avoid his distant, motorcycle-riding stepfather, Ted. When the school bullies convince Wendell to venture into the forest around their neighborhood and explore the long-abandoned Renaissance Faire grounds they all believe to be haunted, Wendell is surprised to find a man living in the barn — and even more surprised by the man himself. His new acquaintance seems the definition of crackpot, believing himself to be a medieval knight named Sir Habersham, tasked with the duty of slaying the dragon he insists is wandering the woods. But when Wendell starts hearing rumblings — and listening to Habersham's stories — he starts to wonder if, perhaps, it could all be true. In a heartfelt coming-of age story, Wendell must defy logic in order to follow his heart.

About this title

About the Author

Chris Northrop grew up in New Jersey. He would go to the movies often, raid his father’s movie collection regularly, and disappear into bookstores hungry for good stories. As a writer and colorist, he’s worked for several animation studios and publishers, starting at The Animation Collective as a background painter and currently as a freelance colorist for Oni Press. Additionally, Chris teaches comic arts at Artworks Studio and at Meltdown Comics in Hollywood, CA. Chris currently lives in Los Angeles where he writes and colors all day, fueled by coffee and a love of his profession.

From Booklist

When Wendell, a teen uncertain how to relate to his macho stepfather, is forced by bullies to explore the burned-out Renaissance Faire grounds, he meets Sir Habersham, who claims to be searching for the dragon that destroyed the Faire. Wendell must decide whether to believe the man and, if he does, whether or not to help him in his quest. Northrop and Stokely’s beautiful story is a love letter to the way the fantastic can shape a teen’s life for the better. Wendell is a likable guy, even when downtrodden and argumentative, and his stepfather, Ted, and Sir Habersham are given similar depth. The main story is paced well, moves smoothly, has nice moments of humor and surprise (plus the occasional mild swearword and some slight violence), and wraps up in a satisfying and touching way, anchored by Stokely’s detailed and expressive full-color art. The book concludes with five related short stories, illustrated by different artists, and a series of cover illustrations. All of this is wrapped in Archaia’s typically very beautiful binding, with an eye-catching cover. Grades 6-9. --Snow Wildsmith

About this edition

• Publisher: Boom Entertainment
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1936393743
• ISBN 13: 9781936393749
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 128
• Illustrator: Stokely Jeff