Garden of the Purple Dragon facts for kids
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| Author | Carole Wilkinson |
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| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Black Dog Books |
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Publication date
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September 2005 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback) |
| Pages | 352 pp (first edition, hardback) |
| ISBN | 0-330-44111-6 |
| OCLC | 73954463 |
| Preceded by | Dragonkeeper |
| Followed by | Dragon Moon |
Garden of the Purple Dragon is an exciting fantasy novel for kids. It was written by Carole Wilkinson and came out in September 2005. This book is the second part of the popular Dragonkeeper series. It comes after Dragonkeeper and before Dragon Moon. The story takes place in ancient China during the time of the Han Dynasty. It continues the amazing journey of Ping, who used to be a slave but is now a special dragonkeeper.
Contents
Story Summary
This book continues Ping's adventures. She is now living on Tai Shan mountain. Her job is to raise Kai, who is Danzi's son. Ping discovers that Kai has a cool power: he can change his shape! One day, their peaceful life is disturbed when their goat is found hurt. Also, Hua, Ping's pet rat, returns to her. He arrives on the back of a red phoenix!
Ping and Kai try to escape. But they meet the evil Necromancer. Hua uses his new powers to help them get away. Later, Ping, Kai, and Hua are caught by guards. They are taken to Liu Che, the Emperor of China. The Emperor is Ping's friend, and he drops all charges against them.
Life in the Palace
Ping stays at the palace. There, she meets Princess Yangxin. The two become good friends. The Princess starts teaching Ping how to read and write. Ping wants to find her own family. She convinces the Emperor to look for other Dragon Keepers.
Ping, Kai, and Dong Fang Suo (who Kai calls Fatso) go to a village. They hope to find another Dragon Keeper. They do not find Ping's family there. Instead, a boy named Jun is chosen to be a Dragon Keeper. Ping feels a bit jealous when Kai seems to like Jun more than her.
Dangers and Discoveries
On the way back to the palace, Ping has a terrible accident. She is almost killed and left for dead. But she survives! After this, she finds her real family. She stays with them for a short time. However, she decides to return to the palace for Kai.
When she gets back, the Necromancer is there. He is hurting Kai. Ping fights him. She escapes without Kai to warn the Emperor. But the Emperor reveals a shocking secret: he is working with the Necromancer! Ping loses her job as Imperial Dragonkeeper. She is taken away to be sacrificed.
The Final Battle
During the sacrifice, help arrives! Dong Fang Suo, Jun, Hua, and Kai come to save her. They work together to defeat the Necromancer. Sadly, Dong Fang Suo is killed. Before he dies, he tells Ping that the Emperor ordered the accident that almost killed her.
Jun takes Dong Fang Suo's body away. Ping and Kai escape with Princess Yangxin. Ping had already let Hua go free with other rats. Princess Yangxin asks them to go with her to the Duke's place. This is in the Kunlun Mountains. Ping and Kai agree. They hope to find a safe place away from the Empire.
Main Characters
- Ping 萍 - She used to be a slave girl. Now, she is the special Dragon Keeper of Kai. She sometimes doubts herself but always tries her best.
- Hua - Ping's loyal pet rat. In the first book, he was badly hurt. Ping sent him with Danzi to a magical place. He came back to Ping on a red phoenix. He can now shoot flaming spit balls! His fur and eyes have turned blue.
- Long Danzi 龍膽子 - An old, wise green dragon. He is Kai's father. Ping used to take care of him. He is now in a special place called the Isle of Blest. He still helps Ping by guiding her through dreams.
- Kai 龍開端 - A young purple dragon. He is Long Danzi's son. He is still growing up and learning. He is working hard to master his shape-changing ability.
- "The Necromancer" - An evil magician. He wants to find Kai and Danzi. He plans to sell their body parts for money. He teams up with Emperor Liu Che. He dies when he is poisoned.
- Liu Che - The seventh emperor of the Han kingdom. He desperately wants to live forever. This desire becomes an obsession.
- Princess Yangxin - She is Emperor Liu Che's sister. She has a great fear of rats because of a very bad past experience. She becomes a good friend to Ping.
- Dong Fang Suo - The Emperor's magician. At first, he tries to hurt Ping. But later, he helps her fight the Necromancer.
- Jun - A boy Ping and Dong Fang Suo meet. They think he might be a Dragon Keeper. But he turns out not to be a true one.
- Duke of Yan - A Duke who caused Princess Yangxin much pain in the past.
Awards
- 2006 West Australian Young Book Readers Awards - Winner
- 2006 Queensland Premier's Literary Awards - Shortlisted
- 2006 Kids Own Australian Literary Awards (KOALA) - Shortlisted
- 2006 COOL (Canberra's Own Outstanding List) Award - Shortlisted
