"Eragon" by Christopher Paolini

Summary of Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Eragon is a 15 year old boy from the town of Carvahall.  He hunts in the Spine, a mysterious forest.  While hunting, he discovers a blue stone and hopes to trade it for food.  The blue stone is actually an egg that hatches a dragon.  An evil king is after the egg and he flees.  Brom helps him understand dragons and  learn how to fight with a sword.  If you find a dragon egg and it hatches for you, then you become a dragon rider.  A big battle ensues, and the leader of the Varden, the good side, is killed, but Eragon defeats the Shade, the evil king's right hand man. 

Personal Impressions of Eragon
The book begins with intense action and suspension.  Small portions are handed to the reader, with explanations to follow later in the book.  The struggle between good and evil permeates this novel with anticipation mounting for the second book in the series.  Many children enjoy folklore such as dragons, and this story delivers with the boy having his own personal dragon.  Magic, evil, elves, dwarfs, spirits, and other typical fantasy elements are present as well.  Imaginative details such as the carved city in the mountains are inventive additions to the story.

Review of Eragon
Eragon is filled with nightmare moments, dreams, visions. It never falters in its velocity. Its plot is episodic rather than climactic; it is clearly part of a larger work. The 500-plus pages race past. I found myself dreaming about it at night, and reaching for it as soon as I woke. Like countless other readers, I am waiting to see what happens next, with wonder, with admiration and with hope. As Eragon's dragon tells him, ''All will be well, little one.''
Review by Liz Rosenberg of New York Times and Retrieved from Barnes & Noble Editorial Reviews

I don't know what you were up to at age 15, but it is a good bet that you weren't penning 500-page fantasy novels. But that is the age that Christopher Paolini began writing the first volume in his fantasy series, the "Inheritance" trilogy. When young Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he doesn't realize that he has just taken the first step in becoming a Dragon Rider. After the egg hatches, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, begin an adventure that includes all the classic elements of myth-the death of a loved one; a harrowing journey; an elderly mentor; a seemingly indestructible enemy. Sprinkle in a little romance and you have the makings of a classic story. It is remarkable that young Paolini has been able to mold the pieces together in a mature and cohesive narrative. His eye and ear for detail, especially in describing the natural world, are topnotch. Paolini's world of Alagaesia is complex and beautiful, no doubt owing to Tolkien and a host of other fantasy authors that Paolini draws upon. Eragon and Saphira relate to one another not as master and pet, but as equals, with both human and dragon possessing strengths and weaknesses. The bottom line is that the "Inheritance" series has all the markings of a best selling juggernaut-a likeable hero, an entertaining storyline, and above all, a unique authorship legend that will captivate his audience.
Review by Christopher Moning of Children's Literature and Retrieved from Barnes & Noble Reviews

Suggestions for Use in Library or School
Maybe a discussion on the legends of dragons, especially the hatching of eggs. Suggest the movie "Legend of the Water Horse."  Ask the following questions:  Why do you think the author chose to include elves and other fantasy characters within the story?  What other stories have these characters?  Do you think other stories influenced the inclusion of these characters?  How is the plot or theme similar to Eragon? How are they different?