"Hand this to the Rick Riordan crowd, or to kids who like Tui Sutherland’s "Wings of Fire" series. "―SLJ Set in a vivid, Arab-inspired world filled with friendly and fearsome water dragons, K.D. Halbrook’s Silver Batal and the Water Dragon Races is a middle-grade fantasy adventure, with illustrations by Ilse Gort, that's perfect for fans of Tui T. Sutherland, Sayantani DasGupta, and Roshani Chokshi. Thirteen-year-old Silver Batal calls the desert home, but her heart belongs to the waters. Although she’s expected to become a jeweler like her father, Silver harbors a secret and forbidden wish to race water dragons. Destiny comes calling when her friendship with a mysterious old woman leads her to Hiyyan, a baby dragon that can swim and fly. Risking everything, Silver, Hiyyan, and her resourceful cousin Brajon set off across the desert to join the legendary races in the royal city. But the road to Calidia is filled with danger, and the trio must band together as they encounter ferocious cave beasts, clever desert foxes, and cutthroat competition. As Silver and Hiyyan soar through the skies and speed through the seas, both must learn what they're willing to sacrifice for a shot at glory. Gr 5-8-Desert-dweller Silver Batal knows in her heart that she's destined to race water dragons, but the desert lacks both water and dragons. Turns out her dragon bond, Hiyyan, will come to her-and Silver, along with her cousin Brajon, must embark on a dangerous quest to save Hiyyan's mother. A perilous journey brings them into contact with bloodsucking worms, vicious cave monsters, and (most deadly of all) the world's greatest dragon racer, Sagittaria Wonder. Can two kids outwit a scheming queen, cutthroat competitors, and a prince in hiding? This book will appeal to fans of the "Rick Riordan Presents" series as it features the same well-known combination of action, adventure, and magic. There's quite a bit left to the imagination, but fans of the genre will be willing to forgive the somewhat flat world-building and thin descriptions of the dragons (Hiyyan could just as easily be an over-large dog, with his goofy grin and slobbering tongue) once they get to the dragon races. And while the untrained Silver's win over experienced racers may strain credulity for the adults in the room, the intended audience won't care. VERDICT Hand this to the Rick Riordan crowd, or to kids who like Tui Sutherland's "Wings of Fire" series.-Elizabeth Friend, Wester Middle School, TXα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. "An imaginative delight."―Sayantani DasGupta, New York Times -bestselling author of The Serpent's Secret "Silver and her dragon Hiyyan will race into your heart. This is a world you'll never want to leave."―Kamilla Benko, author of the Unicorn Quest series. "Nonstop adventure and a brilliantly realized world―I never wanted to leave Silver's side! An epic, unforgettable story―I'm already dying for the next installment!"―Amie Kaufman, New York Times -bestselling author of Elementals: Ice Wolves " Halbrook’s latest is a fun, fast-paced adventure with an engaging supporting cast in which young fantasy lovers will delight. "―Booklist " Hand this to the Rick Riordan crowd, or to kids who like Tui Sutherland’s Wings of Fire series. "―School Library Journal " [A] rip-roaring adventure. Halbrook's worldbuilding includes a rich taxonomy of water dragons who are fully realized, with emotions, loyalty, and aspirations. "―Kirkus K. D. Halbrook grew up in California, surrounded by the gorgeous art, food, family bonds, and Lebanese American family quirks that inspired the world of Silver Batal . She’s also the author of the middle-grade novel Smoke and Mirrors , as well as several young adult titles under the name Kristin Halbrook. She currently resides in Seattle with her family. Silver Batal and the Water Dragon Races By K. D. Halbrook Henry Holt and Company Copyright © 2019 Kristin Halbrook All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-250-18107-7 CHAPTER 1 When the dust in the cliff-hewn city of Jaspaton got too thick and the wind too whipping, even the most ancient and stalwart of the yarnsladies would leave their colorful silk tents and go indoors. And when they went indoors, so did everyone else. Everyone sensible, at least. On such a day, Silver Batal raced down one flight of stone stairs, and then another and another, refusing to let the trader on the desert floor out of her sight. "Don't go yet," Silver shouted, spitting strands of hair from her mouth. The winds carried her words in the wrong direction. The trader rolled the side flaps of his wagon down and struggled against the weather to secure them. He shook his fist angrily at the sky, but Silver laughed. His struggles bought her more time to catch him. "Silver!" At the communal bread oven, her cousin Brajon called her name. "Can't stop!" Silver leaped over a chicken flappin