On a snowy night Cara and her grandmother are pursued into St. Christopher's church by an unknown man. Following her grandmother's instructions, Cara escapes their pursuer and falls into Luster, the world of the unicorns.
1 of 1 copy available
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Creators
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Series
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Publisher
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Release date
April 9, 2009 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9781934180907
- File size: 106904 KB
- Duration: 03:42:42
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Languages
- English
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Levels
- ATOS Level: 6
- Lexile® Measure: 850
- Interest Level: 4-8(MG)
- Text Difficulty: 4-5
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Reviews
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November 1, 1999
Cara follows her grandmother's cryptic instructions and winds up in Luster, the land of the unicorns. "This mild fantasy, the first in the Unicorn Chronicles, opens promisingly... but somewhat dissipates its force," said PW. Ages 9-12. -
Fantasy and mystery combine when Cara is forced to flee Earth, clutching her grandmother's amulet and carrying a message for the unicorn queen. The dramatic production helps the listener distinguish the many fantastic characters inhabiting the land of the unicorns. Particularly good performances are given by Mimi Holbert, who nicely captures the amusing, squirrel-like Squijum, and Kate Huddleston, who elegantly portrays the dragon, Firethroat. Children who enjoy fantasy and the many young girls who clamor for unicorn stories may appreciate this first installment of the Unicorn Chronicles, despite the mediocre performances turned in by the narrator and most of the cast. S.G. (c) AudioFile, Portland, Maine -
August 29, 1994
Coville's (My Teacher Is an Alien) mild fantasy, the first in the projected Unicorn Chronicles, opens promisingly, with a suspenseful chase scene, but somewhat dissipates its force. A nameless hunter pursues Cara and her grandmother into an empty church, where the grandmother gives Cara her amulet-along with the bewildering instructions to jump from the church tower at the twelfth toll of the bell. The girl lands in Luster, the land of the unicorns, and tries to unravel the mystery surrounding the amulet even as she continues to elude the hunter. Aided by a young unicorn and an assortment of odd creatures, including Dimblethum (``He looked like a bear that had started to become a man but hadn't finished the process'') and Squijum (``a cross between a monkey and a squirrel''), Cara embarks on a number of dangerous adventures. The plot jumps from one episode to the next, and can be confusing. But drama builds with the revelation that the hunter is none other than Cara's father (who long ago abandoned her); no stock villain, he is given plausible motives for his inimical deeds. Cara's loyalties are severely tested, leaving plenty of room for a sequel. Fantasy fans might be content with the headlong pacing, but most will hope that future installments will include more fluid writing and less convoluted plot lines. Ages 8-12.
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