Waiting on Wednesday: THE DRAGON OF CRIPPLE CREEK by Troy Howell

"WAITING ON WEDNESDAY"

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My pick for this week is . . .

THE DRAGON OF CRIPPLE CREEK

by Troy Howell

Pub. Date: April 2011

Publisher: Amulet Books

Format: Hardcover , 400pp

Age Range: 8 to 12

ISBN-13: 9780810997134

ISBN: 0810997134

Description (from the publisher):

When Kat and her father and brother visit the Mollie Kathleen, an old gold mine now open for tours by the busload, Kat gets lost from the group and falls down a shaft, where she discovers an awe-inspiring world of fantasy come to life. She meets an ancient dragon—the last of his kind—and discovers a secret about the gold that litters the creature's den and why dragons throughout time have hoarded the sparkling treasure. 
 
The dragon helps Kat escape the endless caverns, but not before Kat greedily takes a piece of gold for herself. Feeling guilty, Kat decides to return it, but before she can do this she drops it in front of a group of visitors, and a media frenzy ensues. Soon the mining town is filled with gold seekers. In order to save the dragon and his gold, Kat and her brother must venture back into the mine to warn him. But will they get there in time? 

This fast-paced, beautifully told modern fantasy tale by children's book illustrator Troy Howell will keep readers spellbound.

About the author (from the publisher):
Troy Howell has won an Educational Press Association of America Distinguished Achievement Award and New York and Los Angeles Society of Illustrators merit awards. His work has been named a Redbook Best Children's Book of the Year. This is his first novel. He lives in Falmouth, Virginia.