Elissa's Odyssey

October 1, 2008
Gr 5-8-Having escaped from the Khan and traveled across the desert, Elissa continues her journey to be reunited with her father. She and her friend Maya arrive in the strange city of Alhamazar and board a ship bound for Gravesport. However, when Elissa sneaks ashore, she becomes lost in the marketplace and is left behind. Rescued by a kindhearted sailor, she is promised safe passage and a job as cook aboard the ramshackle "Swamp Maiden". Along the way, Elissa and the crew help a mysterious young noble displaced from his country, elude gun smugglers, outrun a dangerous one-eyed man, and free a captive Windsinger (who can raise the wind with her voice). Throughout, Elissa feels her magical abilities growing: she can now communicate with plants as well as animals and uses this newfound knowledge to help her friends. The ending sets up the sequel nicely. This adventure story is filled with humor, endearing characters, and mild fantasy elements. However, children unfamiliar with "Elissa's Quest" (Delcoarte, 2007) will want to read it first in order to better understand the characters."Ginny Collier, Dekalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA"

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