Igraine's parents are magicians who own the coveted Singing Books of Magic. Brother Albert has joined the family business, but Igraine finds magic incredibly boring—she pines for the excitement of knighthood. Then, on her 12th birthday, the vast castle next door is taken over by Osmund the Greedy, who wants the books for himself. At the same moment, Igraine's parents inadvertently turn themselves into swine, and their daughter happily volunteers for a quest to retrieve the red-headed giant's hairs they need to become human again. Funke's inventive re-imagining of the knight-in-shining-armor story benefits from its playful details—rainbow-colored smoke wafting out of the spell room, gargoyles who breathe fire from the turrets, stone lions that roar at strangers. Equally enjoyable are the family dynamics: though brother and sister begin as typical antagonists, they work together when their home is imperiled. Igraine's parents don't understand her aversion to magic, but respect her desire to forge her own path. Along the Funke continuum, which travels from silly picture books to the dark, ambitious fantasy of <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">Inkheart, this falls closest to <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">Dragon Rider, aimed squarely at elementary school readers. The author, whose career began in illustration, provides her own line drawings, witty images of the singing books (they have faces, hands and feet), and atmospheric spreads with inset text. While children will want to see the pictures up close, an abundance of action and humor make this satisfying story work as a read-aloud too. Ages 8-12. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Oct.)

First published in Germany in 1998, this fantasy opens on the day before Igraine's twelfth birthday. Igraine lives in a very old castle, guarded by stone lions that roar at approaching strangers. Her older brother is a magician-in-training; Igraine plans to become a knight. When their castle is besieged by Osmund the Greedy and his evil henchman, Rowan Heartless, Igraine, her family, and their newfound champion, the Sorrowful Knight, work together to defeat their treacherous opponents. Children will find this a more down-to-earth, appealing fantasy, with an element of humor (Igraine's parents accidentally turn themselves into pigs) as well as a heroine whose knightly ambitions and ideals are taken seriously by her family. Among Funke's most imaginative and lovable creations are the walking, talking, snacking Books of Magic that the villains are plotting to steal. Funke's lively ink drawings introduce the characters, decorate the beginnings and ends of chapters, and occasionally provide large illustrations of the setting and action. A good read-aloud choice.

When her magician parents accidentally turn themselves into pigs just as a greedy usurper launches a siege, twelve-year-old aspiring knight Igraine must seek aid while her brother defends their castle. The brisk plot is seasoned with the wacky characters, idiosyncratic details, and nonstop shenanigans typical of Funke's other (relatively) shorter works.

The author of Princess Knight (2004) offers a longer tale along the same lines, here in its first English translation. Uninterested in becoming a magician like her parents and older brother, Igraine delights in feats of arms. Though a spellcasting error—that transforms her parents into non-magical pigs—casts a shadow on her 12th birthday, she is dazzled by the suit of magic armor they present her. It arrives just in time, too, because shortly thereafter, thuggish Osmund the Greedy arrives at the castle gates with an army, intent on seizing the resident library of talking grimoires. Will the castle's magical defenses hold out long enough for Igraine to steal a fast horse from under Osmund's nose, find a giant willing to give up the hair necessary for a parent-restoring spell, rescue an unaggressive dragon from hunters and help a sad knight who teaches her the rules of chivalry to defeat Osmund's supposedly undefeatable Castellan? Do you doubt? Illustrated with pen-and-ink sketches of Igraine in action, plus many tiny tomes sporting stubby limbs and animated faces, this engaging read, or read-aloud, is "joust" the ticket for all young fans of non-gender-specific knightly valor. (Fantasy. 9-11)

Gr 3-6-Igraine, the heroine of this medieval tale, wants something different from life. Her parents and her brother are magicians, and she considers their work "dreadfully boring." Instead, she longs to be a brave knight who has adventures and wins tournaments. When Osmund the Greedy and his army arrive at the gates of her ancestral castle, she gets a chance to prove herself. Her parents have given her a suit of magical armor for her 12th birthday but then a few complications arise that interfere with her grand plans. These challenges start when her parents make a magical error that turns them into unmagical pigs. Now Igraine must find a giant willing to give up his hair to save them. Along the way she must also help a sorrowful knight and rescue a gentle giant from hunters. Although her courage is challenged, Igraine is a resourceful heroine whose feisty demeanor will have readers rooting for her success. Funke's whimsical pen-and-ink illustrations are a good match for this spirited tale. The story has many twists and turns and an engaging heroine who rises to the challenge. Readers will eagerly join her on her quest, and younger children will enjoy an exciting read-aloud as this valiant knight saves the day.-Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

Fantasy fans looking for a spunky, adventurous new heroine will find one in this new novel from Funke. Igraine, a twelve-year-old who wants nothing more than to become a knight, is surrounded by those who care little for adventure or swordplay. Her parents, The Fair Melisande and Sir Lamorak the Wily, are the keepers of the Singing Books of Magic and two of the most powerful magicians in the land. Her brother, Albert, is studying to follow in their footsteps. Igraine, however, has little interest in magic and no talent for remembering spells. Unfortunately she also has little opportunity to practice her knightly skills. Pimpernel Castle is well defended by her family's magic, although no one has attacked in many years. But when a greedy new neighbor makes plans to seize the Singing Books and a magical mistake leaves the castle's defenses weakened and Igraine's family in danger, she must use every bit of her skill and courage and even some magic to save her home. Fun characters and illustrations by the author create a light fantasy adventure in the spirit of T. H. White's The Sword in the Stone (Collins, 1938). Albert is a talented older brother who frequently likes to tease his tomboy sister, and Igraine's parents seem silly and absent minded, but when faced with a real threat, the brave Igraine and her family work together and show their true strength. Funke's book will be a hit with all young fantasy fans.-Anita Beaman.